The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) mission provides critical data for the early detection of fast-developing storms and weather forecasting from 36 000 km above the equator. The full MTG system is based on a series of two types of satellite: four MTG-Imagers and two MTG-Sounders. Fully operational, the system consists of two MTG-I satellites and one MTG-S.

While the MTG-I satellites significantly improve imaging capabilities over their Meteosat Second Generation predecessors, the MTG-S satellites introduce a groundbreaking infrared sounding capability, enhancing weather prediction accuracy even further. The MTG-S satellites also host the EU Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission – an ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared light spectrometer that captures data every hour to monitor air quality and pollution over Europe and northern Africa.