In 1990 EUMETSAT decided that a second generation Meteosat system should be established to ensure continuity and to upgrade the performance of meteorological observations from Geostationary orbit. The MSG system consists of a space segment and a ground segment. It is designed to provide data, products and services over a system lifetime of, at least, 12 years, based on a series of three satellites called MSG-1, -2 and -3. The MSG satellites will be placed in orbit at 0 degrees longitude, but can be moved up to 50 degrees east or west as required.

MSG will generate multi-spectral imagery of the Earth's surface and cloud systems every 15 minutes, for twelve spectral channels. with 1 km geometrical resolution for the high-resolution visible channel and 3 km for the others. Eight of the channels will be in the thermal infrared, providing among other information, permanent data about the temperatures of clouds, land and sea surfaces. Using channels that absorb ozone, water vapor and carbon dioxide, MSG will enable meteorologists to analyze the characteristics of atmospheric air masses making it possible to reconstruct a three-dimensional view of the atmosphere.

The MSG body is a cylindrical-shaped solar drum, 3.2 m in diameter and 2.4 m high. The satellite is modular, built around three main sub-assemblies. The satellite uses a bi-propellant system, both for its initial boost into geostationary orbit, as well as for station keeping. This includes small thrusters, which will also be used for attitude control. The MSG solar array, built from eight curved panels is wrapped around the satellite body. When operating in geostationary orbit, the satellite will spin counter-clockwise at 100 rpm around its longitudinal axis, which will be aligned with the Earth's rotational axis.