The Meteosat Third Generation Imager satellite MTG-I2 is scheduled for liftoff on an Ariane 6 rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on Thursday, 27 August. The launch, designated flight VA270, is expected at 22:10 CEST (17:10 local time), with a launch window extending 2.5 hours.
MTG-I2 will complete the first family of MTG satellites, which will deliver weather forecasting data for Europe and northern Africa in unprecedented detail. The satellite carries two instruments: a Lightning Imager that continuously monitors for lightning, and a Flexible Combined Imager that tracks fast-evolving weather systems. The Flexible Combined Imager can scan the entire Earth from its geostationary position 36,000 kilometres above the equator in 10 minutes and can scan Europe and North Africa every 2.5 minutes, enabling timely severe weather warnings.
This will be the ninth Ariane 6 launch and the first mission to geostationary transfer orbit for the heavy-lift rocket, as well as its farthest flight to date. The rocket will lift off with two P120C-based solid-propellant rocket motors. ESA manages Ariane 6 development, while Arianespace is the launch service provider.
Live coverage of the launch will begin at 21:42 CEST on ESA WebTV and will stream on the ESA YouTube channel.
