EO·Atlas
Flexible Combined Imager (FCI)
Compiled from public sources on 2026-06-16. Not independently verified by Thales Alenia Space.
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Meteosat Third Generation imaging payload providing 16-channel geostationary full-disc and rapid-scan imagery.
Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) is the Meteosat Third Generation imaging payload for geostationary passive-optical observation, with a 16-channel visible and infrared observing set for full-disc and rapid-scan meteorology.[1][2] Its documented imaging cadences are 10 minutes for full-disc coverage and 2.5 minutes for European rapid imagery, with 1-2 km nominal resolution and a 0.5 km high-resolution mode on selected channels.[1][3][2] The instrument is operational on Meteosat-12 and supports cloud, surface and thermal scene monitoring from geostationary orbit through repeated visible and infrared imagery.[1][2]
FCI has demonstrated atmospheric motion vectors on Meteosat-12, and sea-surface temperature retrieval and thermal-anomaly detection are demonstrated uses of the same instrument family in that mission context.[1][2] Its operational role is high-cadence geostationary imaging: 16 channels, full-disc refresh, regional rapid scan, and mature use on the MTG imaging mission line.[1][3]
Pricing not publicly listed by operator
Compositional position
- Atmospheric motion vectors (AMV)via Meteosat-12
FCI data support atmospheric motion vector products.
- Sea-surface temperature retrievalvia Meteosat-12
FCI infrared imagery supports sea-surface temperature products.
- Thermal anomaly detectionvia Meteosat-12
FCI supports severe-weather and wildfire-response imagery.
None on record.
- [1]Meteosat Third Generation Instrumentsagency doc2026-06-16
- [2]Flexible Combined Imageragency doc2026-06-16
- [3]MTG FCI level 1c data guideagency doc2026-06-16