MTG-I2 enters commissioning from geostationary orbit
Europe’s second Meteosat Third Generation imaging satellite, MTG-I2, has reached its position roughly 36,000 kilometres above the equator and transferred to EUMETSAT control. Post-launch communications, solar-array deployment and orbit-raising manoeuvres are complete. Commissioning now covers the satellite, instruments and ground systems, ahead of a rapid-scanning capability designed to observe changing weather at 2.5-minute intervals.
Science··Evening
Orbit raising ended at 3.5 degrees east
ESA and GeoConnexion report that MTG-I2 reached geostationary orbit after its August 27 launch from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. A sequence of apogee-engine burns carried the satellite to its designated position at 3.5 degrees east, roughly 36,000 kilometres above the equator. During the launch and early orbit phase, teams established communications, deployed the solar arrays and completed the required manoeuvres. Deployment of the Ka-band transmission antenna and data-collection antenna completed the spacecraft’s basic orbital configuration.[1], [2]
Control moved from Fucino to Darmstadt
Telespazio ran the launch and early orbit phase for EUMETSAT from its mission-control centre in Fucino; ESA says the team numbered 40 people. Control passed on September 8 to EUMETSAT’s flight-operations team in Darmstadt. That handover marks completion of orbital delivery and the start of commissioning. EUMETSAT, ESA and European industry will now calibrate and validate the spacecraft, imaging instruments and ground systems as a single observation service.[1], [2]
System validation comes before rapid scanning
GeoConnexion says operational service is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2027. Once ready, MTG-I2 will unlock the rapid-scanning capability of the first complete Meteosat Third Generation constellation, supplying observations of fast-changing conditions every 2.5 minutes. The spacecraft will work in the same new-generation system as MTG-I1, launched in 2022, and MTG-S1, launched in 2025. The present milestone begins the technical testing period that must be completed before the data service opens.[1], [2]
