The Structural & Thermal Model for the first spacecraft of the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) is assembled at the Cannes (F) facility of prime contractor Aerospatiale. MSG-1 is planned for launch in late 2000 to extend Europe's series of geostationary meteorological satellites. ESA is responsible for developing the satellites on behalf of EUMETSAT. This Model carries dummy solar panels in order to simulate the satellite's thermal behaviours during testing at ESTEC in March/April 1998. [Image Date: 1998/01] [98.03.010-003]