Media invitation: Meteosat Third Generation - Imager 1 Launch

Invitation for the media to attend press briefings and launch event for MTG-I1

On 13 December, the first Meteosat Third Generation Imager satellite will launch from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Last Updated

09 January 2023

Published on

01 December 2022

A wide range of pre-launch and launch media activities are available. Media representatives are invited to join the online pre-launch press briefings on 5 December and to participate in the European Launch Event on 13 December at ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre facility (ESTEC) in The Netherlands.

Meteosat Third Generation - Imager 1 (MTG-I1) is the first of a new generation of satellites providing crucial insights for the early detection and prediction of fast-developing severe storms, weather forecasting and climate monitoring.

The satellite will carry two completely new instruments: Europe’s first Lightning Imager and a Flexible Combined Imager. Once in orbit, this cutting-edge satellite promises to further bolster Europe's leadership in weather forecasting.

Meteosat Third Generation, one of the most complex and innovative satellite systems ever built, will provide improved critical data for weather forecasting from geostationary orbit for the next two decades.

Building on the long-standing partnership between ESA and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and designed and built by a consortium of 100+ European industrial partners led by Thales Alenia Space, MTG is a prime example of Europe’s technological excellence.

Online pre-launch press briefing per language

Journalists are invited to the following media activities:

English (Monday 5 December, 15:30–16:15 CET)

Participants:

Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes
Phil Evans, Director General Eumetsat
Bertrand DENIS, VP Observation and Science at Thales Alenia Space
Simon Keogh, Head of Space Applications and Nowcasting Research & Development Met Office

The press conference will be moderated (in English) by Ninja Menning, Head of Newsroom and Media Relations, ESA and it will also be streamed live on ESA TV.

French (Monday 5 December, 16:15–17:00 CET)

Participants:

Donny Aminou, MTG Payload Product Manager ESA
Susanne Dieterle, System Manager Eumetsat
Bertrand DENIS, VP Observation and Science at Thales Alenia Space
Sylvain Le Moal, Head of the satellite data valorisation division Météo-France

German (Monday 5 December, 16:15–17:00 CET)

Participants:

Martin Peccia, MTG Product Assurance and Safety Manager ESA
Alexander Schmid, H/GEO and MTG programme Manager Eumetsat
Rüdiger Schönfeld, Director Earth Observation Systems OHB
Rainer Hollmann, Head of the satellite-based climate monitoring division including the CM-SAF DWD

The press conference will be moderated (in German) by Ninja Menning, Head of Newsroom and Media Relations, ESA.

Italian (Monday 5 December, 11:00–14:15 CET)

Media representatives are invited to join a hybrid press briefing, either at Telespazio’s premises in Fucino, or online.

Programme (all times in CET)

11:00 Doors open and registration
11:15–12:15 Italian press briefing with high-level speakers from ESA, Telespazio, Eumetsat, Leonardo
12:30 – 13:15 Visit at the LEOP Control room and one-on-one interviews
13:15 – 14:15 Light lunch

Participants:

Luigi Pasquali, Space activities coordinator of Leonardo and CEO of Telespazio
Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes
Paolo Ruti, Chief Scientist Eumetsat
Claudio Bruno, EU Observation Programs Director at Thales Alenia Space
Carlo Simoncelli, Lightning Imager Program Manager Leonardo
Ernesto Cerone, Flight Director LEOP MTG of Telespazio

Location:
Fucino Space Centre(Centro Spaziale del Fucino)
Piana del Fucino, Ortucchio, Via Cintarella,
67050 Ortucchio AQ
Italy

A bus departing from 09:00 from Rome to Telespazio’s premises in Fucino is available to journalists wishing to attend the event.

Journalists are also invited to attend the MTG-I1 launch event.

MTG-I1 European Launch Event at ESA’s European Space Research Centre (ESTEC)

Tuesday, 13 December

Programme (all times in CET)

18:00 Welcome and registration
18:30 Light buffet dinner
19:45 “Meteosat Third Generation: Next-generation weather and climate monitoring”
21:00 Start of live transmission from Europe’s Spaceport
21:30 LIFTOFF
22:15 End of live transmission – drinks and live music
22:45 Solar array deployment success statements
23:30 End of event and bus transfer to hotels

A variety of high-level experts and spokespersons will be available for interviews before the programme begins.

Location

ESA - ESTEC
Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ Noordwijk
The Netherlands

ESA Web TV

The English pre-launch press briefing, as well as the launch, will be streamed via ESA Web TV.

Media registration

Please express interest by 2 December at 15:00 CET for the English, French and German pre-launch press briefing and by 7 December for the European Launch Event, specifying which media activity you would like to attend:

https://blogs.esa.int/forms/esa-media-briefing-form

After registering, media will receive additional information and the link to join the online information session (WebEx platform) or further information regarding the European Launch Event at ESA’s ESTEC facility.

Italian hybrid event

Media representatives interested in attending the Italian hybrid event at Telespazio premises are requested to register via email by Tuesday 29 November at latest by contacting @email .

Meteosat Third Generation (MTG)

MTG - one of the most innovative geostationary meteorological satellite systems ever built.