Liftoff Time

No Earlier Than 3rd Quarter, 2026

Mission Details

MTG-I2

(Meteosat-14)

MTG (Meteosat Third Generation) is the follow-up system to the Meteosat MSG series of geostationary satellites. The satellite system will consist of a twin configuration of 3-axis-stabilised satellites: the Imaging mission satellite (MTG-I) and the Sounding mission satellite (MTG-S). The payload proposed for MTG-I consists of the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI), Lightning Imager (LI), Data Collection System (DCS), and search and rescue (GEOSAR). The FCI is expected to outperform MSG Spinning and Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) observations on clouds, aerosol, moisture, and fire by adding new channels in the solar domain and by improving temporal, spatial, and radiometric resolution. For instance, the FCI in its High-Resolution Fast Imagery mode focusing on Europe/North Africa with a resolution down to 500 meters and a repeat cycle of 2.5 minutes will produce the greatest benefits to Nowcasting services.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

3,760 kilograms

Rocket

Active
Ariane 64

Active Since 2026

European Space Agency logo

Manufacturer

ESA

Price

$106.00 million

Rocket

Diameter: 5.4m

Height: 62m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 21,650 kg

GTO: 11,500 kg

Liftoff Thrust

15,370 Kilonewtons

Fairing

Diameter: 5.4m

Height: 20m

Stages

2

Strap-ons

4

Launch Site

ELA-4

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Fastest Turnaround

159 days 8 hours