mtg-i1 launch preparation: a view from customer side

Paper number

IAC-23,D2,2,9,x76111

Author

Mr. Christian Corba, EUMETSAT, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Lionel de la Taille, EUMETSAT, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Jean-Sebastien Lemay, Arianespace, France

Coauthor

Mr. James Champion, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Year

2023

Abstract

\begin{document}
MTG-I1 Satellite has been successfully launched into the Geostationary
Transfer Orbit by Arianespace flight VA259 on 13 December 2022 from
CSG in French Guiana. In the last leg of the long way to prepare the
launch, unexpected events happened on both sides, space segment and
launch service. The paper provides an insight from the customer point
of view into what lead to several changes in the nominal activities
normally planned for a "standard shared launch with an Ariane 5 ECA". It underlines the reactivity and the commitment of many teams of several entities spread around Europe.
All have contributed to maintain the launch before end of 2022, even
if the targeted launch date moved several times between-November and
December. The launch campaign in particular, being the last phase
of this long journey, despite the considerable amount of challenges
encountered and the need to change often the plans in real time, went
incredibly smooth. In conclusion, the paper highlights the flexibility
showed by all experts involved at all levels to overcome the challenges
and the constraints coming from a world-class optical satellite (and
in particular the first proto-flight model which faced all the difficulties of a very long development phase) within a launch service conceived originally for telecom satellites. 
\end{document}

Abstract document

IAC-23,D2,2,9,x76111.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-23,D2,2,9,x76111.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.