Europe's MTG-I2 weather satellite launched aboard an Ariane 6 rocket from French Guiana on 27 August 2026. It is the third spacecraft in the first Meteosat Third Generation family. The other two satellites are already in operational service, while MTG-I2 must complete checks before joining them. Once commissioned, the three-satellite system can operate at full capacity. Eumetsat will run the spacecraft and distribute its scientific data after ESA completes commissioning.
MTG-I2 is designed to scan Europe every 2.5 minutes from geostationary orbit, about 36,000 kilometres above Earth. Its instruments will capture detailed atmospheric images and detect individual lightning events during day or night. Frequent observations can help meteorologists follow rapidly developing weather and improve short-term forecasts. The data can also support early warnings, wildfire tracking, pollution monitoring, and climate research. A second MTG satellite family is planned from 2033 to extend the mission beyond 2040.