The team behind Europes latest weather satellite
Since the second Meteosat Third Generation Imager satellite (MTG-I2) began its launch campaign last month, it has undergone rigorous pre-launch inspections that ensure the electronic and mechanical systems are working correctly. How does a team of experts, including scientists, engineers, launch coordinators and mission operation specialists, ensure everything is running smoothly behind the scenes, both during and after liftoff?
MTG-I2 is set to ride into orbit on board an Ariane 6 rocket on 27 August. With just a few weeks to go before launch, the satellite is undergoing a series of checks to ensure everything will work smoothly on launch day.
Behind the scenes a team of experts has been inspecting every hinge, bolt and surface to ensure the satellite and all its parts are ready. It will be in orbit around Earth for at least the next eight-and-a-half years, capturing imaging data of lightning, atmosphere, clouds and developing storms in unprecedented detail – so everything must be checked.
Positive team spirit has been a constant throughout the development of MTG-I2, according to ESA's MTG Project Manager, James Champion. He attributes the camaraderie to the lack of a rigid team structure. Instead, team members are empowered to act in a variety of roles. More than 30 ESA personnel are currently involved in the pre-launch preparations. "The team has worked incredibly hard to ensure this launch campaign runs as smoothly as possible. Many members of the team are able and willing to cover for others if needed – and that has meant we are all pulling in the same direction."
Over the next few weeks, as launch preparations continue, one of the key responsibilities is that of Francesco Cainero, ESA's MTG Lead Space Segment Engineer and launch campaign manager for this launch. "I am responsible for ensuring that the MTG-I2 spacecraft remains safe, controlled, and flightworthy throughout the campaign," explains Francesco, who has a background in specialised electronics engineering. "This includes planning and coordinating all verification activities, allocating the necessary resources as well as managing interfaces among up to 100 personnel from ESA, Eumetsat, Arianespace, CNES and Thales Alenia Space."
He adds, "The most rewarding part is seeing a complex, multi-disciplinary system come together and successfully transition from preparation to launch readiness – it is the tangible result of months or years of coordinated effort."
Safety and controls are very much order of the day in the lead up to launch, with no aspect of the satellite's functionality left uninspected. It's the role of Martin Peccia, MTG Product Assurance and Safety Manager, to check correct satellite configuration and contamination control as well as ensure any non-conformities are resolved in a timely way.
"Combined operations is my favourite moment of the pre-launch campaign," says Martin, who has a background in aeronautical engineering, and speaks six languages. "You have to hit the ground running as the combined operations schedule affects so many parties across the satellite and launcher teams. When issues arise, you have to react quickly in order to avoid any launch delay. We have an experienced team on both ESA and the industry side, so we are working well together and have a good network across ESA in case we need an expert opinion."
One of the key moments during the campaign is when the satellite is fitted, or ‘mated', with the launcher, in this case an Ariane 6 rocket. "This is special because they are the last moments before encapsulation – the last time a human will see the satellite," says Martin.
During the launch campaign, the MTG System and Payload Manager, Pieter Van den Braembussche, is tasked with following up and observing the platform and instrument tests. However, his main role begins after launch, when the instruments are commissioned.
"MTG satellites observe Earth from 36 000 km away, where even the smallest spacecraft motion can affect image quality," notes Pieter, whose background is in attitude and orbit control systems (AOCS) and systems engineering. "One of our challenges was therefore to make sure the spacecraft remains extremely stable, even with small vibrations from onboard mechanisms, called micro-vibrations. Together with industry, we characterised these vibration sources, assessed their effect on the images, and put the right mitigation measures in place. The sharp images and scientific data from MTG-I1 show that this effort was successful."
Immediately after liftoff is when the launch and early operations phase begins. Known in the business as LEOP, it is one of the most critical phases of satellite operations. After the satellite separates from the Ariane 6 launcher, the first important event is the acquisition of signal: receiving satellite data on the ground as soon as possible is essential to assess the satellite's health after the huge pressure and vibrations of the launch.
Emilia Barbagallo, MTG Lead Operations Interface Engineer, coordinates between the team working on the satellite before launch and the operations team working on the ground after launch. "Any anomalous behaviour during LEOP has to be addressed promptly and safely: the operations and the project support teams are well trained to respond to contingencies, investigate any issues and recommend ways forward in line with the agreed formal process," Emilia notes.
With a background in electronics engineering and experience working on several other ESA missions, Emilia explains, "During the launch campaign there are a number of activities needed for LEOP. First of all, after satellite fuelling, the mass of the satellite is recomputed and needs to be transferred to the LEOP team together with any last-minute change in the satellite configuration to align the ground segment configuration and procedures.
"Another important activity is the rehearsal of the countdown sequence: in this final phase before launch, the satellite is switched on and configured for launch and the LEOP mission control centre is connected to the launch pad allowing the operations team to carefully follow such critical activity, making sure the configurations of the ground segment and of the satellite are aligned."
But as the launch campaign progresses and leads up to the day of liftoff, the final word will go to the launch campaign manager. Francesco will fulfil a crucial duty when all eyes are on the countdown clock. After assessing spacecraft readiness for launch, he'll provide the final ESA recommendation to "Go for launch!"
Launch is scheduled for 27 August 2026, on board flight VA270 on an Ariane 6, from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
This will be the ninth launch of Europe's heavy-lift rocket Ariane 6. For the August launch, Ariane 6 will be configured with two P120C-based solid-propellant rocket motors to liftoff and launch MTG-I2 to a geostationary transfer orbit. This will be the first mission to this destination for Ariane 6 and the farthest the rocket will have flown so far. ESA manages the Ariane 6 development programme, ensuring autonomous access to space for the benefit of European citizens. Arianespace is the launch service provider for flight VA270.
Vielen Dank, dass Sie den Artikel gelesen haben!
