EUMETSAT’s Mission Control Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, took over control of the newest addition to its fleet of meteorological satellites, Meteosat Third Generation Imager 2 (MTG-I2), on 9 September 2026, following the successful completion of its Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP).

MTG-I2 launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 27 August 2026 and has now reached its geostationary orbit, around 36,000 km above Earth. During LEOP, carried out for EUMETSAT by Telespazio, communications with the satellite were established, its solar arrays deployed and a series of precise manoeuvres brought it to its designated orbital position.

The spacecraft has now been handed over to EUMETSAT’s flight operations teams. EUMETSAT, working with ESA and European industry, will now begin extensive calibration and validation activities to prepare the satellite, its instruments and ground systems for operational service, which is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2027.

“Taking control of MTG-I2 in excellent condition marks the successful completion of another crucial phase of the mission,” said Julia Hunter-Anderson, EUMETSAT’s Meteosat Third Generation LEOP Manager. “Our teams can now begin the intensive work of commissioning the satellite and preparing it for operational service.

“Once ready, MTG-I2 will unlock the rapid-scanning capability of the first full Meteosat Third Generation constellation, providing our Member States and users with observations of fast-changing conditions every 2.5 minutes.”