EUMETSAT takes over control of its newest weather satellite

MTG-i1-ASpot - EUMETSAT's newest satellite, MTG-I1, has successfully reached its intended orbit and will begin a period of intense testing - EUMETSAT today took over control of the newest addition to its fleet of meteorological satellites. The Meteosat Third Generation - Imager 1 (MTG-I1) satellite successfully reached its intended orbit, nearly 36,000km above the Equator, after its 13 December launch from Kourou, French Guiana. After its release from the launcher, an Ariane-5 rocket, MTG-I1 entered the critical launch and early operations phase (LEOP). This phase was performed on behalf of EUMETSAT by Telespazio from the Fucino Space Centre in Italy. During the LEOP, which lasted nearly 15 days, a series of critical operations successfully deployed the satellite's solar arrays, manoeuvred it into geostationary orbit, and deployed its communications antennas from their stowed launch positions. "The LEOP confirmed the correct functioning of MTG-I1's core systems to generate its own power, change its orbit, and reliably communicate with the ground," EUMETSAT's Director of Operations and Services to Users Seán Burns said. "Now, EUMETSAT has control of a healthy satellite and will begin an intense 12-month commissioning phase.