Feasibility of meteosat third generation collocation using a single S-band tracking station and large inclination maneuvers

The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) mission requires two 3-axis stabilized satellites, one implementing the imaging instrument (MTG-I) and another the sounding instrument (MTG-S), to be operated in orbit simultaneously in collocation around the 0o geostationary position. Satellites collocation, even if requiring more complex operations, may allow operating both satellites using a single S-band station, with an important reduction of the ground support required for Flight Dynamics operations, and consequently of the number of needed ground stations and of the operational workload. Further reduction of the operational workload, together with a potential benefit in terms of availability of the scientific data, could be achieved if the collocation strategy is implemented through very large inclination maneuvers executed yearly. The paper will present in detail the analyses performed to assess the flight dynamics feasibility of the proposed operational strategy and will address its potential benefit; at the same time the major constraints at system level, which currently may prevent the implementation of the described strategy, are presented.