MTG-I2 satellite is ready for launch as part of mission VA270, which will complete the first family of MTG satellites. The launch will be carried out by an Ariane 6 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. This is the ninth launch of this rocket and simultaneously represents the first mission to a geostationary transfer orbit, the most distant trajectory the rocket has ever reached.
MTG-I2 is the third satellite in the MTG constellation and carries two key instruments: the Lightning Imager and the Flexible Combined Imager. The Lightning Imager continuously monitors lightning, while the Flexible Combined Imager captures rapidly evolving weather systems to issue warnings. This instrument can scan the entire surface of the Earth from a geostationary position at an altitude of 36,000 km in just 10 minutes, and Europe and North Africa every 2.5 minutes.
The satellites will deliver data for weather forecasting over Europe and North Africa in unprecedented detail. The mission provides new capabilities for European meteorological services, particularly for nowcasting severe weather events. The Ariane 6 development programme, managed by the European Space Agency (ESA), ensures autonomous access to space for the benefit of European citizens, while launch services for flight VA270 are provided by Arianespace.
Live coverage will be broadcast on ESA WebTV and the ESA YouTube channel. The programme with commentary begins at 21:42 CEST, with the first launch attempt scheduled for 22:10 CEST (17:10 local time). The launch window lasts for 2.5 hours.
Planned events include booster separation at 22:12 CEST, fairing jettison at 22:13 CEST, and shutdown of the main Vulcain 2.1 engine at 22:17 CEST. The core stage separates from the upper stage at 22:17 CEST, after which the Vinci upper stage engine ignites. The Vinci engine shuts down at 22:31 CEST, and separation of the MTG-I2 satellite is scheduled for 22:46 CEST. The live broadcast ends at 22:57 CEST.
