ESA announced on September 9, 2026, that the MTG-I2 weather satellite had reached geostationary orbit about 36,000 kilometres above Earth and taken up position near 3.5 degrees east. ESA formally handed the spacecraft to EUMETSAT on September 8 for commissioning and operational preparation. MTG-I2 launched on Ariane 6 from French Guiana on August 27. After about 12 days of orbit-raising and platform checks, it reached its final operating region. As an imaging satellite in the Meteosat Third Generation system, it is intended to work with the constellation to support weather monitoring over Europe and surrounding regions. The handover occurred on September 8 and ESA published the cited page on September 9. Reaching orbit and transferring responsibility are kept distinct from completion of commissioning and entry into operational service, which require later EUMETSAT confirmation.
International space · Space technology
MTG-I2 Reaches Geostationary Orbit and Transfers to EUMETSAT
ESA says the second Meteosat Third Generation imager, MTG-I2, has reached geostationary orbit about 36,000 kilometres above Earth and was handed over to EUMETSAT on September 8 for the next phase of commissioning.
Geostationary orbitWeather satellites
Related launch missions
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