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New Weather Satellite Reaches Orbit
10 Sep
Summary
- MTG-I2 satellite successfully launched and reached geostationary orbit.
- The satellite is now undergoing calibration for operational service in 2027.
- It will enable rapid weather scanning every 2.5 minutes.
The MTG-I2 weather satellite has successfully reached its geostationary orbit, marking a significant milestone for EUMETSAT and its partners. Launched on August 27, 2026, from Europe's Spaceport, the spacecraft has completed its Low Earth Orbit Phase (LEOP), establishing communication and deploying its solar arrays.
Now positioned approximately 36,000 km above Earth, MTG-I2 has been handed over to EUMETSAT's flight operations teams. Extensive calibration and validation activities will commence, preparing the satellite and its instruments for operational service, anticipated to start in the second quarter of 2027.
Upon becoming fully operational, MTG-I2 will unlock the rapid-scanning capability of the full Meteosat Third Generation constellation. This enhancement will provide EUMETSAT Member States and users with crucial observations of rapidly evolving weather conditions as frequently as every 2.5 minutes.
