Ariane 64 | MTG-I2

Ariane 64 Launch: Deploying MTG-I2 for Advanced Weather Monitoring

On September 30, 2026, Europe's space industry marked another milestone with the launch of the Ariane 64 rocket carrying the MTG-I2 satellite. This mission, orchestrated by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace, underscores the continent's commitment to maintaining sovereignty in space access while advancing meteorological capabilities. As the third satellite in EUMETSAT's Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) series, MTG-I2 promises to enhance global weather prediction and climate monitoring, building on a legacy of satellite technology that has revolutionized environmental forecasting.

The primary objective of the MTG-I2 mission is to provide high-resolution imaging and sounding data from geostationary orbit, approximately 36,000 kilometers above Earth. As an imaging satellite, MTG-I2 is equipped with the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI), which captures data across 16 spectral channels, offering unprecedented detail in monitoring atmospheric phenomena. This includes real-time tracking of severe weather events like storms, hurricanes, and wildfires, with a full Earth disk scan every 10 minutes—a significant improvement over previous generations. Complementing this, the satellite features the Lightning Imager, capable of detecting lightning strikes continuously across the hemisphere, aiding in early warnings for thunderstorms. Payload capabilities extend to infrared sounding for atmospheric profiling, enabling precise measurements of temperature, humidity, and trace gases. These features not only support operational meteorology but also contribute to climate research, such as tracking greenhouse gas emissions and ozone depletion. With a design life of at least 8.5 years, MTG-I2 will integrate into a constellation that ensures 24/7 coverage over Europe, Africa, and parts of the Americas and Asia.

Powering this deployment is the Ariane 64, a heavy-lift variant of the Ariane 6 family. Standing at 63 meters tall with a diameter of 5.4 meters, the rocket features a two-stage core powered by liquid hydrogen and oxygen engines: the Vulcain 2.1 on the lower stage and the Vinci restartable engine on the upper stage. Augmented by four P120 solid rocket boosters, Ariane 64 boasts a payload capacity of up to 21.6 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO) or 11.5 tons to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), making it versatile for commercial, scientific, and institutional missions. Its modular