13/12/2022
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With liftoff set for right now at 21:30 CET, the Ariane 5 rocket carrying the primary Meteosat Third Technology Imager, MTG-I1, satellite tv for pc is poised patiently on the launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana whereas the ultimate checks are being carried out. As soon as in geostationary orbit, 36,000 km above the equator, this new satellite tv for pc is ready to herald a brand new period for meteorology.
MTG-I1 has been on the launch website since mid-October being fastidiously readied for liftoff. Over the weekend, the all-important technical ‘launch readiness assessment’ gave the inexperienced mild for liftoff and the Ariane 5 rocket subsequently rolled out to the launch pad.
ESA’s Meteosat Programme Supervisor, Paul Blythe, stated, “I’d similar to to congratulate everybody who has labored so onerous to get us up to now. The mission has handed the launch readiness assessment with flying colors, which implies that we’re good to launch.
“It was a beautiful sight to see the large Ariane 5 roll out to the launch pad understanding that our treasured satellite tv for pc is safely tucked contained in the rocket fairing.
“And naturally, we’re all very excited for liftoff this night once we will see the rocket take to the skies in order that our satellite tv for pc can quickly start delivering important meteorological information for climate forecasting and numerical climate prediction.”
The rocket additionally carries two co-passenger satellites, Intelsat Galaxy 35 and 36, which might be injected into orbit previous to MTG-I1.
To accommodate the three satellites, the Ariane 5 rocket is taller than regular because it has been outfitted with a 1.5-m-high elevating cylinder beneath its fairing and the SYLDA adapter. The SYLDA suits over MTG-I1, permitting the co-passenger satellites to be stacked above.
Boasting two utterly new devices – a Versatile Mixed Imager and Europe’s first Lightning Imager – MTG-I1 will ship high-quality information for higher climate forecasting.
The Versatile Mixed Imager has extra spectral channels and is able to imaging in increased decision in comparison with present Meteosat Second Technology’s Spinning Enhanced Seen and Infrared instrument.
The Lightning Imager gives a totally new functionality for European meteorological satellites. It would repeatedly monitor greater than 80% of the Earth disc for lightning discharges, going down both between clouds or between clouds and the bottom.
MTG-I1 is the primary of six satellites that kind the complete MTG system, which is able to present important information for climate forecasting over the following 20 years. In full operations, the mission will comprise two MTG-I satellites and one MTG Sounding (MTG-S) satellites working in tandem.
The MTG mission is a cooperation between Eumetsat and ESA. ESA is accountable creating and procuring the six MTG satellites. Eumetsat defines the system necessities, develops the bottom programs, procures the launch providers, operates the satellites, and makes the info obtainable to customers. Thales Alenia Area is the prime contractor for total MTG programme and the MTG-I satellites.
The window for liftoff opens at 21:30 CET. Watch the launch reside on ESA Web TV, streaming begins at 19:40 CET.
