The second Meteosat Third Generation Imager satellite (MTG-I2) successfully passed the key stage of preparation for the launch, having completed thermovacuum tests at the premises of Thales Alenia Space in Cannes, France. The satellite withstood the extreme temperatures of the space environment from -180°C to +150°C, having confirmed its resistance to the conditions of geostationary orbit.
Trial, carried out by the joint efforts of ESA teams, Thales Alenia Space, EUMETSAT and Leonardo, relied on the experience of testing the first MTG-Imager satellite, which made it possible to optimize the procedures. During the tests, the risk of corona discharge was successfully eliminated, which could affect radio frequency equipment. MTG-I2 is currently equipped with the Lightning Imager and Flexible Combined Imager and is being prepared for mechanical integration of solar panels, communication systems and further vibration tests.
The launch of MTG-I2 is scheduled for 2026 рік як єдиного корисного навантаження на ракеті Ariane 2 за новою угодою, затвердженою Радою EUMETSAT у Дармштадті. Спочатку запуск планувався на Ariane 64, but a specialized launch will put the satellite into a high geostationary orbit 36 000 km. Once operational, MTG-I2 will provide high-resolution imagery over Europa every 2,5 minutes, which is twice as fast compared to previous systems.
MTG program, jointly developed by ESA and EUMETSAT with Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor and Leonardo as supplier of the Lightning Imager instrument, aimed at increasing the accuracy of forecasting extreme weather conditions, which over the past four decades have caused at least a loss in Europe 85 000 lives and losses of hundreds of billions of euros. MTG-I2, together with the launched y 2022 year MTG-I1 and in 2025 year MTG-S1, will complete the formation of the first operational group of European meteorological satellites of the new generation, which will support meteorologists in tracking the full life cycle of severe storms.
Source: https://www.spacedaily.com