# MTG-I2 weather satellite successfully launched > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mtg-i2-weather-satellite-launch > Updated: 2026-09-07T16:19:00.000Z. Sources: 50. Developments: 7. On August 27, 2026, the MTG-I2 weather satellite was successfully launched aboard an Ariane 62 rocket from the European Spaceport in French Guiana. Developed by Thales Alenia Space in cooperation with OHB, the spacecraft is part of the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) constellation, a joint program between the European Space Agency and EUMETSAT. Upon reaching its geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above Earth, MTG-I2 joins Meteosat-12 and the MTG-S1 atmospheric sounder, completing the first operational trio of the MTG constellation. The launch, which was the ninth mission for the Ariane 6 rocket, marks a significant milestone for European space technology, representing the first time the Ariane 6 launcher has delivered a payload to geostationary transfer orbit. Equipped with a Flexible Combined Imager (FCI), the satellite provides full-disk imagery every 10 minutes in 16 wavebands, with a fast mode capable of refreshing imagery over Europe every 2.5 minutes at a 500-meter spatial resolution. Meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos noted that this frequency of data collection has not been achieved previously, even by the United States. Additionally, the satellite features a Lightning Imager (LI) capable of detecting and mapping individual lightning discharges with millisecond precision, capturing up to 1,000 samples per second. Following the successful completion of its Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), EUMETSAT has officially assumed control of the MTG-I2 as of September 7, 2026. In collaboration with the ESA, EUMETSAT will now begin extensive calibration and validation activities. Full operational service is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2027. ## Claims - The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched the MTG-I2 satellite. (corroborated by 17 sources) - The MTG-I2 satellite was launched aboard an Ariane 6 rocket. (corroborated by 17 sources) - The satellite will operate in a geostationary orbit approximately 36,000 kilometers above the equator. (corroborated by 17 sources) - The MTG-I2 mission completes the first trio of the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) constellation. (corroborated by 16 sources) - The Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) can provide high-resolution observations of Europe every 2.5 minutes. (corroborated by 15 sources) - The Lightning Imager (LI) is capable of detecting and mapping individual lightning discharges day and night. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The scanning frequency of the MTG-I2 satellite has not been achieved previously, including by the United States. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Artificial intelligence may be required to help meteorologists process the high volume of data from the new satellite. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The MTG-I2 includes a lightning detector capable of collecting 1,000 samples per second. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-07: EUMETSAT takes control of MTG-I2 meteorological satellite EUMETSAT has taken control of the MTG-I2 meteorological satellite following a successful launch. The satellite will provide high-frequency weather imaging every 2.5 minutes to improve extreme weather prediction 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eumetsat-takes-control-of-mtg-i2-meteorological-satellite ### 2026-08-31: MTG-I2 satellite launch completes Meteosat Third Generation constellation The launch of the MTG-I2 satellite completes Europe's third-generation Meteosat constellation, enabling weather scans every 2.5 minutes to improve disaster forecasting through enhanced data and AI integration. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mtg-i2-satellite-launch-completes-meteosat-third-generation-constellation-1 ### 2026-08-30: MTG-I2 satellite successfully launches to complete European weather constellation The MTG-I2 satellite successfully launched on an Ariane 6 rocket, completing Europe's third-generation Meteosat constellation to provide advanced, high-frequency weather and lightning monitoring. 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ariane-6-launches-new-european-meteorological-satellite ### 2026-08-28: MTG-I2 satellite launch completes Meteosat Third Generation constellation The launch of the MTG-I2 satellite completes Europe's first Meteosat Third Generation constellation, providing high-frequency Earth imagery and real-time lightning detection for weather monitoring. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mtg-i2-satellite-launch-completes-meteosat-third-generation-constellation ### 2026-08-26: MTG-I2 satellite launch completes Europe's new weather constellation The ESA successfully launched the MTG-I2 satellite on an Ariane 6 rocket, completing the first trio of Europe's Meteosat Third Generation constellation to enhance high-frequency weather monitoring. 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/esa-launches-mtg-i2-satellite-to-complete-meteosat-constellation ### 2026-08-24: MTG-I2 weather satellite set for Ariane 6 launch The MTG-I2 weather satellite is set to launch via an Ariane 6 rocket to provide high-resolution meteorological data and lightning monitoring for Europe and North Africa. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mtg-i2-weather-satellite-set-for-ariane-6-launch ### 2026-08-20: EUMETSAT announces MTG-I2 satellite launch for August 2026 The MTG-I2 meteorological satellite is set to launch on August 27, 2026, via an Ariane 6 rocket to enhance weather forecasting frequency across Europe and North Africa. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eumetsat-announces-mtg-i2-satellite-launch-for-august-2026 --- Cite as: MTG-I2 weather satellite successfully launched. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mtg-i2-weather-satellite-launch