MTG-I2 satellite delivers remarkable first images, capturing a weather view of Europe every 2.5 minutes
Europe's meteorological satellite agency, EUMETSAT, has released the first image from the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) on board Meteosat Third Generation Imager 2 (MTG-I2), just over two months after the satellite's launch on Aug. 27, 2026. The satellite will provide forecasters with high-resolution observations of Europe every 2.5 minutes. This unprecedented frequency will help forecasters…
The first images from the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) onboard Meteosat Third Generation Imager 2 (MTG-I2) have been released by Europe's meteorological satellite agency, EUMETSAT. Launched on August 27, 2026, MTG-I2 will provide high-resolution observations of Europe every 2.5 minutes, offering forecasters unprecedented frequency to monitor rapidly developing weather hazards.
The initial image, captured from geostationary orbit around 36,000 km above Earth, showcases Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic in remarkable detail, highlighting intricate cloud formations across the North Atlantic against the largely clear skies over the Sahara. An accompanying rapid-scan animation illustrates the evolution of cloud formations and weather systems over Europe, taken just 2.5 minutes apart, showcasing the satellite's future operational capabilities.
EUMETSAT Director-General Phil Evans emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating that MTG-I2 will enable meteorologists to monitor rapidly changing weather conditions over Europe more closely and support earlier, more precise warnings during extreme events. The satellite is currently undergoing calibration and validation in cooperation with the European Space Agency and European industry, with operational service expected to commence in the second quarter of 2027.
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