What will happen to MSG-3 in the next days after launch?

After the launch, a new phase called LEOP will start. LEOP stands for Launch Early Operation Phase. This phase will aim to put MSG-3 in its final configuration and orbit where it will be ready to perform its mission. It will last about 10 days will end with the MSG-3 handover to EUMETSAT (the operator of the spacecraft). LEOP will be continued by the commissioning phase.
Just after launch, some of our Thales colleagues from Kourou and Cannes will join now very rapidly ESOC in Darmstadt, the European Space Operation Center, where these LEOP activities will be performed together with ESA and EUMETSAT.

The next LEOP milestones are summarized below:

(Real status in RED, according to info from the LEOP team)

•  Launch 05/07/2012 18:36 (Kourou) 23:36 (CET)
• Launch T+ 34 minutes: MSG-3 separation from the launcher (Malindi tracking station acquisition); Successfully performed
• T+ 4 hours, 1st spin up (55rpm): Successfully performed
• T+37 hours, First Apogee Engine firing by LAM: Successfully performed
• T+62 hours, Second Apogee Engine firing by LAM: Successfully performed
• T+ 111 hours, third Apogee Engine firing by LAM: Successfully performed
• T+134 hours, fourth Apogee Engine firing by LAM: Successfully performed
• T+ 6 days and ca 8,5 hours, Spin axis erection* (1st part): Successfully performed
• T+ 6 days and ca 14 hours, Spin axis erection* (2nd part): Successfully performed
• T+ 8 days and 6 hours, (13/07/2012 @ 06:06 am CET), Cover cooler and SEVIRI baffle cover release: Successfully performed
• T+ 8 days and 9 hours, (13/07/2012 @ 09:06 am CET), Spin up to 99.8 rpm: Successfully performed
• T+ 8 days and 9,5 hours (13/07/2012 @ 9:36 am CET) Start of SEVIRI operations...: Successfully performed
•  SEVIRI scan mechanism released, mirror moved from its launch position to a position in the the operational range: Successfully performed
• T+ 9 days and 22 hours, Circularisation maneuver: Successfully performed
• T+10 days and 9,5 hours (16/07/2012 @ 9:30am CET) Start of ESOC to EUMETSAT handover and end of the LEOP**: Successfully performed

*Up to that stage, the vertical axis of the spacecraft  (or spin axis) is within the orbital plane. The goal of the spin axis erection is to get it perpendicular to the orbital plane in order that the SEVIRI can "look" at Earth.
** For more information about the end of the LEOP phase, click here.