MTG-I1 on the shaker

In preparation for liftoff, the first Meteosat Third Generation Imager satellite has been put through its paces at Thales Alenia Space’s facilities in Cannes, France. With over 400 accelerometer lines installed and checked out, and around two tonnes of simulated propellant loaded, the satellite was mounted onto the shaker and was shaken to ‘within an inch of its life’, simulating the rigours of launch.

The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) mission comprises two types of satellite: four MTG-Imagers and two MTG-Sounders.

This new generation of weather satellite will offer a significant enhancement of the current imager capabilities provided by the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG), a real-time lightning imaging capability and an all-new infrared sounding capability providing early detection of the development of severe storms.

With the first satellite, MTG-I1, is scheduled for launch at the end of 2022 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Read full story: MTG-I weather satellite passes tests in preparation for liftoff