N° 43–2022: Invitation to media – Viewing Europe’s MTG-I weather satellite before launch in Cannes

During the visit programme, registered media can take pictures of the impressive space hardware in the cleanroom area before it is being prepared for shipment to Kourou for launch. High-ranking experts from ESA Earth Observation, Thales Alenia Space (TAS), Eumetsat and others are available on site for interviews.

Media visit programme 
(Only with prior registration and clearance by TAS Security)

09:30  - Check-in at TAS Cannes

10:00-12:00 - Management introductions and senior expert presentations, among them: 

• Massimo Comparini: SVP Observation Exploration Navigation Thales Alenia Space (tbc)
• Simonetta Cheli: ESA Director of Earth Observation Programmes
• Cristian Bank: Eumetsat Director Programme Preparation & Development
• Paul Blythe: ESA MTG Programme Manager, ESA Earth Observation Programmes

Plus more senior managers from Eumetsat, Météo-France, TAS, Leonardo and OHB.
This will be followed by Media Q&A and individual interview possibilities. 

14:00-16:00 - Group visits of the TAS cleanrooms in Cannes

Background on European weather satellites

MTG is a cooperation between ESA and Eumetsat. ESA is responsible for the definition and implementation of the MTG satellites and procurement of recurrent hardware, while Eumetsat is in charge of operating the spacecraft throughout its lifetime. 

Following the success of the first and second generation of Europe’s Meteosat weather satellites, the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) will soon take over the reins to ensure the continuity of data from geostationary orbit, 36 000 km above Earth.

The combination of MTG’s increased resolution imaging data and state-of-the-art sounding products will take weather forecasting capabilities to the next level, particularly for the challenging task of nowcasting.

Nowcasting relates to the monitoring and prediction, in quasi real time, of rapidly evolving, and potentially damaging, weather phenomena such as severe thunderstorms. Earlier detection of such phenomena will increase the available reaction time for issuing severe weather warnings and implementing the necessary measures to avoid potentially catastrophic impacts.

To meet more than the 20-year operational life of the mission, the full MTG system comprises six satellites, four imaging satellites (MTG-I) and two sounding satellites (MTG-S). Now it’s time to launch the first MTG-I satellite, MTG-I 1. 

This new satellite is equipped with a Flexible Combined Imager to deliver a full image of Earth every 10 minutes to monitor and forecast the weather. It can zoom in to deliver images of selected regions which is key for issuing timely warnings and relevant for air traffic safety. 

Media registration and contact

Media representatives are requested to register via email by Friday, 19 August 2022 at latest:

Catherine DES ARCIS
Media Relations Manager, Thales Alenia Space (TAS)
5, allée des Gabians
06136 Cannes la Bocca Cedex, France
Tel.: +33 4 92 92 72 82
Mob.: +33 6 78 64 63 97
catherine.des-arcis@thalesaleniaspace.com

Further information on ESA

ESA Earth Observation: www.esa.int/eo  
More about ESA: www.esa.int

Images

ESA's Photo Library for Professionals:
https://www.esa-photolibrary.com/

Terms and conditions for using ESA images: https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/ESA_Multimedia/Copyright_Notice_Images

For questions or more information related to ESA images, please contact directly: 
spaceinimages@esa.int

Videos

ESA's Video Library for Professionals:
https://www.esa.int/esatv/Videos_for_Professionals

Terms and conditions for using ESA videos:
https://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Terms_and_Conditions 

For questions or more information related to ESA videos, please contact directly spaceinvideos@esa.int

Social media

Follow ESA Earth observation on:
Twitter: @ESA_EO @esa
Instagram: @ESA_Earth and @Europeanspaceagency
Facebook: @EuropeanSpaceAgency
Follow ESA on: 
Twitter: @esa
Facebook: @EuropeanSpaceAgency
Instagram: @europeanspaceagency
YouTube: ESA
LinkedIn: European Space Agency - ESA
Pinterest: European Space Agency - ESA

Further contact for Media:

Bernhard von Weyhe, Senior Media Relations Officer, ESA HQ Paris
Email: media@esa.int / Tel: +33-1-53697504

About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Slovenia, Latvia and Lithuania are Associate Members.

ESA has established formal cooperation with five Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.

Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int