The Meteosat Third Generation-Imager-2 (MTG-I2) satellite has arrived at Pariacabo harbour in French Guiana, ready to be transported to Europe’s Spaceport.

Having spent around two weeks at sea, leaving the Mediterranean and crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the MTG-I2 satellite has now disembarked from its transportation vessel and is ready to make the journey to the spaceport in Kourou, where it will be stored until the beginning of its launch campaign in July.

MTG-I2 is part of the MTG constellation – a cutting-edge weather mission based on the long-standing partnership between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Eumetsat. MTG guarantees the continuity of data for weather forecasting from geostationary orbit for the next two decades. It also offers significant enhancement of the current imager capabilities with an infrared sounding capability and real-time lightning imaging for early detection of severe storms as they develop.

The MTG-Imager satellites carry a Lightning Imager and a Flexible Combined Imager. These instruments can continuously monitor lightning as well as track fast-evolving weather systems.

MTG-I2 will launch this summer on Ariane 6 to join the two MTG satellites already in orbit.