BackForward Satellite Programme: Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) - “I” imaging, “S” sounding 

Programme details
Programme description
  • Series of six operational meteorological satellites in geostationary orbit.
  • Follow-on of the MSG series.  Main developments: 3-axis stabilisation, improved imager, lighting mapping, hyperspectral sounder, chemistry mission.
  • Imager and lighting mapper on units “I”.
  • Sounding and chemistry on units “S”.
  • European programme: ESA responsible of the development of the space segment, EUMETSAT responsible of the mission requirements definition, the development of the ground segment and the full system operation.
  • The design life time of the satellites is 8 years.
  • Nominal position: 0°.
  • The replacement policy is based on hot standby for imaging satellites (“I”), no redundancy for sounding satellites (“S”).
  • See detailed description at Eumetsat/MTG
Data circulation
  • PGS (Primary Ground Station) to acquire all data, pre-process and re-broadcast within tenths of minutes.
  • DCS (Data Collection System) to relay messages from self-timed Data Collection Platforms (DCP) to the PGS by a dedicated link.
  • GEOS&R (Geostationary Search & Rescue) to relay emergency signals to Local User Terminals (LUT).
  • EUMETCast [not exclusive of MTG], to disseminate all sort of satellite data by commercial satellites.
Agencies EUMETSAT , EC, ESA
Programme lifetime 2023 - 2044
Associated satellites and instruments

Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned