# Meteosat 17

> planned European weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q25449205](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25449205)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/meteosat-17

## Summary
Meteosat 17 is a planned European weather satellite that is part of the Meteosat Third Generation - Imager class. It will be operated by EUMETSAT and features advanced imaging systems for meteorological observations.

## Key Facts
- Meteosat 17 is an instance of the Meteosat Third Generation - Imager class
- It will be operated by EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites)
- The satellite features two solar arrays for power generation
- It will be positioned in geostationary orbit
- The spacecraft bus is SmallGEO
- It carries three scientific instruments: Flexible Combined Imager, Lightning Imager, and Next Generation Radiation Monitor
- The general contractor for manufacturing is Thales Alenia Space
- The spacecraft bus is manufactured by OHB System AG
- It is also known by the aliases MTG-I 4 and MTG-I4

## FAQs
### Q: What is Meteosat 17?
A: Meteosat 17 is a planned European weather satellite that is part of the Meteosat Third Generation - Imager class. It will be operated by EUMETSAT and is designed to provide advanced meteorological observations from geostationary orbit.

### Q: What scientific instruments will Meteosat 17 carry?
A: Meteosat 17 will be equipped with three key scientific instruments: the Flexible Combined Imager, the Lightning Imager, and the Next Generation Radiation Monitor. These instruments will provide comprehensive data for weather forecasting and climate monitoring.

### Q: Who manufactures Meteosat 17?
A: Meteosat 17 is being manufactured by a consortium of companies. Thales Alenia Space serves as the general contractor, while OHB System AG is responsible for manufacturing the spacecraft bus.

### Q: What is the orbital position of Meteosat 17?
A: Meteosat 17 will be positioned in geostationary orbit, which allows it to maintain a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface and provide continuous monitoring of a specific region.

## Why It Matters
Meteosat 17 represents a significant advancement in European meteorological satellite technology. As part of the Meteosat Third Generation program, it will provide more detailed and frequent weather observations than previous generations, improving weather forecasting accuracy and timeliness. The advanced instruments, particularly the Lightning Imager, will enable better monitoring of severe weather events such as thunderstorms, which are crucial for early warning systems. This enhanced capability will help improve disaster preparedness and contribute to climate monitoring efforts across Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean regions.

## Notable For
- Being the fourth satellite in the Meteosat Third Generation - Imager series (MTG-I 4)
- Carrying the Lightning Imager instrument for unprecedented monitoring of lightning activity
- Utilizing the SmallGEO spacecraft bus, a standardized platform for smaller geostationary satellites
- Featuring the Flexible Combined Imager, providing higher resolution imaging than previous Meteosat satellites
- Being manufactured by a European consortium led by Thales Alenia Space

## Body
### Overview
Meteosat 17 is a planned European weather satellite that belongs to the Meteosat Third Generation - Imager class. It is also known by the aliases MTG-I 4 and MTG-I4. The satellite will be operated by EUMETSAT and is designed to provide advanced meteorological observations from geostationary orbit.

### Technical Specifications
- Spacecraft bus: SmallGEO
- Power system: Two solar arrays
- Orbital position: Geostationary orbit
- Scientific instruments: 
  * Flexible Combined Imager
  * Lightning Imager
  * Next Generation Radiation Monitor

### Manufacturing
- General contractor: Thales Alenia Space
- Spacecraft bus manufacturer: OHB System AG
- Manufacturing approach: Consortium-based European industrial cooperation

### Classification
- Instance of: Meteosat Third Generation - Imager
- Operator: EUMETSAT
- Satellite of: Geostationary orbit
- Part of: Meteosat program (third generation)

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mtg-i.htm)
2. [Source](https://space.oscar.wmo.int/satelliteprogrammes/view/meteosat_3rd_generation)