ESA PRE-LAUNCH PRESS CONFERENCE FOR METEOSAT THIRD GENERATION IMAGER (MTG-I1), Dec 5, 2022, 15:30-16:15 CET (10:30-11:15 am EST)

The European Space Agency will hold a press conference in English on December 5, 2022 from 15:30-16:15 Central European Time (10:30-11:15 am Eastern Standard Time) to discuss the upcoming launch of the first Meteosat Third Generation Imager (MTG-I1) meteorological satellite. Press conferences in other languages (French, German and Italian) will follow the same day.

The English-language press conference will be livestreamed.

The launch, scheduled for 21:30 CET December 13 from Kourou, French Guiana, will be webcast.

Participants in the English-language event are:

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
• Ninja Menning, Head of Newsroom and Media Relations, ESA (moderator)

According to the ESA press release:

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.