ESA · Space

MTG-I2 Satellite Reaches Final Orbit, Prepares for Weather Forecasting Duties

Europe's Meteosat Third Generation Imager 2 (MTG-I2) satellite has reached its operational orbit and will begin commissioning to enhance weather forecasting for Europe and North Africa.

Launched 12 days ago, MTG-I2 is now in geostationary orbit at 36,000 km, joining sister satellites MTG-I1 and MTG-S1. This marks a key step for Europe's next-gen weather satellite program.

The mission's combined data will improve weather and environmental information, supporting better forecasting and climate monitoring across Europe and North Africa.

Developed by ESA and Eumetsat with industrial leadership from Thales Alenia Space, the MTG constellation is a major European cooperative effort. Eumetsat will operate it.

During LEOP, the satellite established communication, deployed solar arrays, and used its Liquid Apogee Engine for precise orbital maneuvers to reach its final 3.5°E longitude position.

The spacecraft's antennas were deployed, and it was oriented towards Earth, completing the critical LEOP phase.

LEOP involved a team of 40 specialists from ESA, Thales Alenia Space, OHB, and Telespazio, managing complex operations and critical propulsion system firings.

MTG-I2 was handed over to Eumetsat to begin commissioning, which involves testing the satellite and its instruments before it becomes fully operational.

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