DARMSTADT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 10, 2026--
EUMETSAT’s Mission Control Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, took over control of the newest addition to its fleet of meteorological satellites, Meteosat Third Generation Imager 2 (MTG-I2), on 9 September 2026, following the successful completion of its Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP).
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MTG-I2 launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 27 August 2026 and has now reached its geostationary orbit, around 36,000 km above Earth. During LEOP, carried out for EUMETSAT by Telespazio, communications with the satellite were established, its solar arrays deployed and a series of precise manoeuvres brought it to its designated orbital position.
The spacecraft has now been handed over to EUMETSAT’s flight operations teams. EUMETSAT, working with ESA and European industry, will now begin extensive calibration and validation activities to prepare the satellite, its instruments and ground systems for operational service, which is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2027.
“Taking control of MTG-I2 in excellent condition marks the successful completion of another crucial phase of the mission,” said Julia Hunter-Anderson, EUMETSAT’s Meteosat Third Generation LEOP Manager. “Our teams can now begin the intensive work of commissioning the satellite and preparing it for operational service.
“Once ready, MTG-I2 will unlock the rapid-scanning capability of the first full Meteosat Third Generation constellation, providing our Member States and users with observations of fast-changing conditions every 2.5 minutes.”
For further updates on MTG-I2, visit EUMETSAT’s launch hub, which features news, interviews, and insights into the satellite’s journey.
Find all relevant information, biographies of speakers, videos and testimonials on our press kit.
About EUMETSAT – Trusted in Space. Essential on Earth.
Since 1986, EUMETSAT, Europe’s meteorological satellite agency, has monitored weather and climate from space. From its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, it operates a fleet of satellites observing the Earth system and delivers real-time data and imagery to its 30 member states to help protect communities and support critical sectors. Four Meteosat satellites in geostationary orbit provide continuous observations of fast developing weather events, while two polar-orbiting Metop satellites deliver data critical for forecasts up to 10 days ahead. EUMETSAT also supports European sovereignty policies, operating services under the Copernicus programme and leading development and management of the data lake for the Destination Earth initiative. For more information, visit the EUMETSAT website.
MTG-I2 in orbit
MEMPAWAH, Indonesia (AP) — A Japanese military transport ship docked on the island of Borneo on Thursday as part of a disaster relief mission to help fight wildfires in Indonesia that are causing a toxic haze impacting people’s health in other countries.
Japan deployed 300 crew members, landing ship JS Kunisaki and three CH-47 helicopters, which arrived in Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.
The mission in Indonesia marked the first known overseas firefighting operation carried out by the Japan Self-Defense Forces, or JSDF.
“To this end, we will learn from the Indonesian military’s operational experience and work in coordination and cooperation with them, striving to ensure that the Indonesian people can lead stable lives as soon as possible,” Col. Syunji Nakahara, the commander of the disaster relief activities, said at a port in Mempawah district.
Japan and Indonesia have been also increasingly strengthening their military cooperation ties, with the two sides discussing the Japanese sale of its used destroyers.
Indonesia has been plagued by forest and land fires for decades, but an intensifying El Niño pattern this year and a prolonged dry season worsened the impact of the fires.
Toxic haze and smoke have caused a health crisis in neighboring countries.
The smoke has drifted as far as the Philippines, more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) away, and breached Malaysia’s emergency-level threshold for air pollution, forcing authorities to declare an emergency last week in a town in Sarawak state on Borneo.
The air pollution has also affected several areas on the island of Sumatra, forcing schools to suspend learning activities at school. The toxic haze has affected more than 1.4 million students across the country.
Japan's firefighting efforts will support Indonesian authorities in reaching areas that are difficult for ground teams to access.
The JSDF said in a statement on Thursday that the three CH-47 Chinook helicopters from Japan will start conducting firefighting operations on Borneo as soon as preparations are complete.
“Through these operations, we will dedicate ourselves to supporting the affected people of Indonesia and preventing further damage,” a written statement from JSDF said on Thursday.
Indonesian authorities have escalated firefighting efforts in several provinces as they seek to contain the blazes. The efforts have involved aircraft provided by countries in Southeast Asia and beyond, including Japan, the United States, Russia, Australia, Canada and Ukraine.
Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry recorded more than 202,000 hectares (nearly 500,000 acres) of burned land between January and July, almost three times Singapore’s size.
Mari Yamaguchi contributed to this report from Tokyo.
Crew members huddle on the deck of Japanese tank landing ship JS Kunisaki amid haze from wildfires, after its arrival at Kijing Port in Mempawah, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
Japanese tank landing ship JS Kunisaki approaches Kijing Port amid the thick haze from forest fires in Mempawah, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
Crew members prepare one of the Chinook helicopters which will be used to help battle forest fires on Kalimantan Island, on the deck of Japanese tank landing ship JS Kunisaki after its arrival at Kijing Port in Mempawah, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
Dock workers walk amid the thick haze from forest fires at Kijing Port in Mempawah, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
Crew members have a briefing near one of the Chinook helicopters which will be used to help battle forest fires on Kalimantan Island, on the deck of Japanese tank landing ship JS Kunisaki after its arrival at Kijing Port in Mempawah, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
