MTG-I2 Successfully Launched on Ariane 6 from French Guiana
The Meteosat Third Generation Imager2 (MTG-I2) satellite was successfully launched on 27 August 2026 at 22:11 CEST from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The satellite, aboard an Ariane 6 rocket, is the latest addition to Europe's weather satellite constellation.
This launch marks the fourth Ariane 6 mission of the year and the first to target a geostationary transfer orbit, utilizing a two-booster Ariane 62 configuration. The mission, designated VA270, lasted approximately 36 minutes from liftoff to satellite separation.
Built by Thales Alenia Space in cooperation with OHB, MTG-I2 joins Meteosat-12 and MTG-S1 in geostationary orbit at an altitude of approximately 36,000 km. The satellite is expected to operate for a nominal lifespan of 8.5 years.
MTG-I2 significantly enhances imaging capabilities, providing rapid-scan imagery over Europe every 2.5 minutes, compared to the 10-minute full-disk imagery offered by Meteosat-12. This advancement allows for improved nowcasting and early warnings for extreme weather events.
The new data from MTG-I2 will support monitoring of atmospheric phenomena such as wildfires, pollution, lightning, and winds. ESA plans to develop “weather cube” products that combine imager and sounder data for 3D insights into atmospheric dynamics.