MTG-I2 Satellite Launch Scheduled for August 27th

The Meteosat Third Generation-1 (MTG-I2) meteorological satellite is set to launch from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana on August 27th, joining the existing MTG constellation operated by Eumetsat.

Expanding European Weather Monitoring

This launch marks the third MTG satellite, following the initial MTG Imager and Sounder, and aims to provide unprecedented detail for weather forecasting and climate monitoring across Europe and North Africa. The mission represents a significant contribution from the Spanish space industry.

Advanced Imaging Capabilities

The MTG-I2 will travel aboard an Ariane 6 rocket, a first for the vehicle on a geostationary orbit mission at approximately 36,000 kilometers above the equator. It will feature two key instruments: ‘Lightning Imagers’ for continuous lightning detection and ‘Flexible Combined Imagers’ for rapid weather system imaging, crucial for timely weather warnings and aviation safety.

Significant Data Increase

Once fully operational, the MTG constellation is expected to generate at least 50 times more data than the previous Generation 2 (MSG) Meteosat satellites, leading to substantial improvements in predicting severe weather events.

Spanish Industry’s Role

Spain’s space industry played a key role in the development of MTG-I2, with a 14.9% increase in revenue in 2024, reaching nearly €1.3 billion, according to a recent PwC report for TEDAE. The sector also employs over 22,700 people and invests approximately 13% of its consolidated revenue in R&D. Exports account for 83% of the industry’s revenue.

Key Spanish Contributions

Airbus Spain developed the Flexible Combined Imager’s structure and thermal control, while Airbus also provided the structural panels. Companies like Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Crisa contributed to other critical components, including power processing units and cryocooler electronics.