Europe's latest weather satellite, MTG-I2, blasted off from French Guiana on Thursday evening, completing a three-satellite system that will soon deliver images of the sky over Europe and northern Africa every 2.5 minutes. The launch, which took place at 22:11 CEST on 27 August aboard an Ariane 6 rocket, marks the final piece of the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) constellation. Once fully operational, this trio will give forecasters a level of detail and speed they have never had before.
A sharper eye on storms, fires, and pollution
The MTG-I2 satellite is not just another weather monitor. It is designed to track developing weather fronts as they happen, providing high-resolution images that will improve early warnings for extreme events. The data will also help authorities follow wildfires and atmospheric pollution across Europe and northern Africa. For everyday citizens, this means more reliable forecasts and quicker alerts when dangerous weather is on the way.
From launch pad to full service
The satellite lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana at 17:11 local time. Over the next two weeks, engineers will guide it through orbit-raising maneuvers before commissioning begins. Once MTG-I2 is fully checked out, it will join its two predecessors, the MTG-Imager launched in 2022 and the MTG-Sounder launched last year. Together, they will allow the mission to operate at full capacity, providing continuity and resilience for weather services across the continent.
Simonetta Cheli, ESA's Director of Earth Observation Programmes, praised the teams behind the mission, noting that MTG-I2 brings advanced technology that will improve climate monitoring and weather forecasts over Europe. James Champion, ESA's MTG Project Manager, said the launch went well and that his team is now focused on the coming weeks of orbital checks.
The completion of the MTG trio is a quiet but significant milestone for European space collaboration. With the first family of satellites now in place, the mission is set to deliver a steady stream of high-quality data for years to come, and planning for the second generation of MTG satellites is already underway, with launches expected from 2033.
