The second Meteosat Third Generation Imager satellite, MTG-I2, has launched aboard Ariane 6 on flight VA270 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, ESA announced on 27 August 2026. According to the agency, the satellite completes the first family of MTG satellites.

The spacecraft is intended to deliver weather-forecasting data over Europe and northern Africa, with ESA describing the expected quality, quantity and frequency of that data as unprecedented. The 3800 kg satellite had begun its launch campaign in early July 2026, undergoing final inspections before being fitted inside the Ariane 6 fairing, with launch expected toward the end of the summer.

Earlier reporting by ESA covered the team of scientists, engineers, launch coordinators and mission operation specialists working behind the scenes during and after liftoff. In April 2026, ESA said three of its Earth observation satellites, built with European partners and due to launch later that year, had completed functional and environmental tests and were ready to travel to the spaceport. The MTG programme is developed with European partners including Eumetsat.