MTG-I2 timelapse : from arrival at Europe’s Spaceport to launch

2 min read · reported by ESA

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The Meteosat Third Generation -Imager2 (MTG-I2) satellite was launched on an Ariane 6 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, this timelapse video shows the process of getting the satellite ready for liftoff up to its launch into space on 27 August 2026 at 22:11 CEST (17:11 local time).

MTG-I2 is part of the MTG constellation for Eumetsat producing data for weather forecasting in Europe in unprecedented detail. This mission provides completely new data products and capabilities for European weather services, especially suited to nowcasting of severe weather events.

The MTG-Imager satellites carry two instruments, a Lightning Imager and a Flexible Combined Imager. The Lightning Imager offers completely new capabilities for European meteorological satellites by continuously monitoring for lightning. By doing this from geostationary orbit, at an altitude of about 36 000 km above the equator, it can scan more than 80% of Earth’s surface seen from that viewpoint.

The Flexible Combined Imager, on the other hand, builds a picture of fast-evolving weather systems and can be used to issue timely weather warnings. It is particularly relevant for air traffic safety. It is able to scan its view of Earth in just 10 minutes and can scan Europe and northern Africa every 2.5 minutes.

This was the ninth launch of Europe’s heavy-lift rocket Ariane 6. For this launch, Ariane 6 was configured with two P120C-based solid-propellant rocket motors to launch MTG-I2 to a geostationary transfer orbit. This was the first mission to this destination for Ariane 6 and the farthest the rocket has flown so far. ESA manages the Ariane 6 development programme, ensuring autonomous access to space for the benefit of European citizens. Arianespace was the launch service provider for flight VA270.

Just 12 days after launch MTG-I2 completed the first phase of its journey in space, joining its two sister satellites in orbit. MTG is expected to produce at least 50 times more data than the previous Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellites.

Published by the European Space Agency. View the original →