The second Meteosat Third Generation Imager satellite, MTG-I2, launched on an Ariane 6 rocket, flight VA270, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on August 27 at 22:11 CEST.
The launch completes the three-satellite MTG constellation, joining the already-orbiting MTG-I1 imager and MTG-S1 sounder. Once commissioned, MTG-I2 will provide continuity and operational resilience for the mission, delivering rapid-scan imagery over Europe every 2.5 minutes to support forecasting of developing weather fronts, wildfires and atmospheric pollution.
Following separation from the launcher, communication was established between the spacecraft and the Malindi ground station. The satellite’s next steps include activating its propulsion system and deploying its solar arrays before beginning a series of orbit-raising maneuvers over the coming weeks to reach its final geostationary position. Commissioning will follow once the satellite is correctly oriented toward Earth.
Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s director of Earth observation programs, said, “My congratulations go to all the teams involved who have ensured the successful development of this mission. MTG-I2 brings advanced satellite technology that will improve climate monitoring and weather forecasts over Europe, offering real benefits to citizens and communities across our continent.”
James Champion, ESA’s MTG project manager, said, “After years of development and the past few months of intense launch preparations, it’s fantastic to see MTG-I2 being launched and on its way to take its place in the three-satellite system. Our team’s work is not over yet – we still have engineers and personnel in operations and ground systems who will be ensuring the spacecraft remains on track over the coming weeks and months.”
He added that the team was looking ahead to roughly two weeks of orbit-raising maneuvers before commissioning begins.
The launch was the ninth for Ariane 6 and the rocket’s first mission to geostationary transfer orbit. All three MTG satellites were developed by ESA and built by a consortium led by Thales Alenia Space, with OHB and Leonardo as main partners. Eumetsat will operate the satellites once commissioning is complete.
In related news, MTG-I2 launch to bring new era of rapid weather monitoring from space