ESA geostationary meteorological satellite operating within the world wide network of the World Weather Watch of WMO. Its main missions are: Imaging in the visible, IR and water vapour region of the spectrum; data reception from so-called dat a collection platforms (DCPs); data distribution to meteorological services and other interested parties (research institutes etc). Meteosat-3 was launched from Kourou, French Guiana, on June 19,1988 and remained operational until 1995.