The next Meteosat Third Generation Imager satellite (MTG-I2) is set for liftoff on flight VA270 on an Ariane 6, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. It will complete the first family of MTG satellites, which will deliver data for weather forecasting over Europe and northern Africa in unprecedented detail. The launch will be broadcast on Thursday, 27 August, on ESA WebTV.
The live coverage will start at 21:42 CEST and will also be streamed on ESA’s YouTube channel, Launch is expected at 22:10 CEST (17:10 local time).
About MTG-I2
MTG-I2 is the third satellite in the MTG constellation and will complete the mission's first family of satellites. Together the satellites will produce images for weather forecasting in Europe in unprecedented detail. This mission provides new data products and capabilities for European weather services, especially suited to nowcasting of severe weather events.
The MTG-Imager satellites carry two instruments, a Lightning Imager and a Flexible Combined Imager. The Lightning Imager offers completely new capabilities for European meteorological satellites by continuously monitoring for lightning. The Flexible Combined Imager, on the other hand, builds a picture of fast-evolving weather systems and can be used to issue timely weather warnings. It is able to scan the entire surface of Earth as viewed from its geostationary position (36 000 km above the equator) in just 10 minutes and can scan Europe and North Africa every 2.5 minutes.
About Ariane 6
This will be the ninth launch of Europe’s heavy-lift rocket Ariane 6. Ariane 6 will lift off with two P120C-based solid-propellant rocket motors, launching MTG-I2 to a geostationary transfer orbit. This will be the first mission to this destination for Ariane 6 and the farthest the rocket will have flown so far. ESA manages the Ariane 6 development programme, ensuring autonomous access to space for the benefit of European citizens. Arianespace is the launch service provider for flight VA270.
Follow the launch live
Watch the liftoff of MTG-I2 live on ESA WebTV (all times in CEST). Note that the launch window lasts for 2.5 hours, with the first launch attempt scheduled for 22:10 CEST (17:10 local time).
Thursday, 27 August
| Time (CEST) | Minutes after liftoff | Programme coverage |
| 21:42 | Welcome, commentary | |
| 22:10 | 00:00 | MTG-I2 is launched on Ariane 6 (launch window: 2.5 hours) |
| 22:12 | 02:15 | Booster separation |
| 22:13 | 03:31 | Fairing jettison |
| 22:17 | 07:43 | Main stage engine Vulcain 2.1 stops firing |
| 22:17 | 07:49 | Main stage separates from upper stage |
| 22:17 | 07:58 | Upper stage engine Vinci fires |
| 22:18 | Commentary, interviews, discussions | |
| 22:31 | 21:48 | Vinci engine stops firing |
| 22:46 | 36:28 | Separation and acquisition of MTG-I2 signal |
| 22:57 | Livestream ends |
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