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Simonetta Cheli confirms successful launch of MTG-I2 satellite to enhance European weather forecasting

The European Space Agency successfully launched the MTG-I2 satellite on board the Ariane 6 rocket from the European Spaceport in French Guiana. This mission completes the first trio of the Meteosat Third Generation constellation, providing high-resolution weather data for Europe and northern Africa. Simonetta Cheli, Director of Earth Observation Programmes, stated that the satellite will offer advanced technology to improve climate monitoring and weather forecasts for citizens across the continent. The MTG-I2 features a Flexible Combined Imager and a Lightning Imager, allowing for rapid scanning every 2.5 minutes. This high frequency of data will assist in tracking weather fronts, wildfires, and atmospheric pollution. The launch marks the ninth mission of the Ariane 6 rocket, which reached a geostationary transfer orbit for the first time. Once commissioned, the satellite will provide operational resilience and continuity for the Meteosat series, ensuring reliable weather monitoring until at least 2040.

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