[REVISION HISTORY]

MTG-I2 weather satellite successfully launched

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2026-09-02 04:37 UTC → 2026-09-09 07:35 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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 ~~its launch,~~ the ~~satellite is undergoing a transition to~~ successful completion of its ~~final geostationary orbit, which will be followed by a commissioning phase involving calibration~~ Launch and ~~instrument validation. These advanced capabilities are intended to enhance~~ Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), EUMETSAT has officially assumed control of the ~~prediction~~ MTG-I2 as of ~~extreme weather events, including severe storms, hail, flash floods,~~ September 7, 2026. In collaboration with the ESA, EUMETSAT will now begin extensive calibration and ~~active wildfires. Due~~ validation activities. Full operational service is expected to commence in the ~~high volume~~ second quarter of ~~information, experts suggest that artificial intelligence may be necessary to fully utilize the satellite's capabilities.~~ 2027.

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