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Tag: Galileo 12

  • Galileo constellation now 12 after Thursday’s launch

    Galileo constellation now 12 after Thursday’s launch

    News from the European Space Agency

    The pace of deploying Europe’s own satellite navigation system continued to increase with today’s launch of the latest pair of Galileo satellites, doubling the number of satellites in space within nine months.

    Galileo 11 and 12 lifted off together at 11:51 GMT (12:51 CET, 08:51 local time) atop a Soyuz rocket from French Guiana.

    This sixth Galileo launch was a textbook operation: all Soyuz stages performed as planned, culminating in the Fregat upper stage deploying the twin satellites into orbit close to 23,500 km altitude, around 3 hours and 48 minutes after liftoff.

    Liftoff of Galileo satellites 11 and 12 aboard Soyuz VS13 took place at 11:51 GMT on Dec. 17, 2015.
    Liftoff of Galileo satellites 11 and 12 aboard Soyuz VS13 took place at 11:51 GMT on Dec. 17, 2015. (Photo: ESA)

    “With today’s launch, Europe has doubled the number of its Galileo satellites in orbit in just nine months,” commented Jan Woerner, director general of ESA.

    “Along with the ground stations put in place around the globe, this brings Galileo’s completion within reach. Initial Galileo services are scheduled to begin within next year, which proves the importance of this wise investment.”

    “The excellent performance of these satellites, as measured on the ground, allows Europe to join the club of the worldwide providers of satellite navigation services,” noted Didier Faivre, ESA’s Director of Galileo and Navigation-related Activities.

    “Production, testing and launch of the remaining satellites are now proceeding on a steady basis according to plan.

    The Fregat upper stage flew the latest two Galileo satellites most of the way up to medium-Earth orbit before they finally separated. (Artist's concept, courtesy of ESA).
    The Fregat upper stage flew the latest two Galileo satellites most of the way up to medium-Earth orbit before they finally separated. (Artist’s concept, courtesy of ESA).

    “Then, after the summer break in 2016, the tempo of deployment will increase further with the first of three customised Ariane 5 launchers that will carry four rather than two satellites into orbit each time.”

    This month will see the 10th anniversary of the launch of Europe’s very first navigation satellite: GIOVE-A, on Dece. 28, 2005. It secured the frequencies set aside for Galileo, gathered data on the medium-altitude orbit environment and flight-tested hardware for the working system.

    Watch the launch here:

    ESA declares success.
    Arianespace declares success.
  • Galileos in the zone for Thursday’s launch

    Galileos in the zone for Thursday’s launch

    Galileo satellites 11 and 12 are mated with their dispenser. (Photo: ESA)
    Galileo satellites 11 and 12 are mated with their dispenser. (Photo: ESA)

    News from the European Space Agency

    Galileos 11 and 12 are on the launch pad, attached to the top of their Soyuz rocket in readiness for this week’s launch. Europe’s next navigation satellites are due for launch at 11:51 GMT (12:51 CET, 08:51 local time) on Thursday, Dec. 17, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

    On Dec. 10, the two satellites, already attached to their carrier, were fixed to the Fregat upper stage before the halves of the protective Soyuz fairing were closed around them on Friday. This marked the completion of the ‘upper composite’ — the combination of Galileo satellites, dispenser and the upper stage that will fly them the bulk of the way up to their medium-altitude orbit.

    Meanwhile, the first three stages of the Soyuz were assembled horizontally, rolled out to the pad, and raised to the vertical. The upper composite was moved to the pad on Sunday afternoon, hoisted to the top of the tower and then then carefully attached to Soyuz.

    The Dec. 14 Launch Readiness Review opened the way to Soyuz fueling and finally launch.

    Galileos 11 and 12 are on the launch pad, attached to the top of their Soyuz rocket in readiness for this week’s launch. (Photo: ESA)
    Galileos 11 and 12 are on the launch pad, attached to the top of their Soyuz rocket in readiness for this week’s launch. (Photo: ESA)

    This latest Galileo campaign began with the arrival of the satellites in French Guiana on Oct. 30. This is the sixth Galileo launch overall, and the third launch of 2015, and will bring the number of Galileo satellites in space to 12. It takes place just 11 days before the 10th anniversary of the liftoff of Europe’s very first navigation satellite.

    The experimental GIOVE-A took off on Dec. 28, 2005, to reserve operational frequencies, test key hardware and gather data on the orbital environment for the Galileo constellation to follow. GIOVE-B followed in April 2008.

    Since then, not only has the first third of the Galileo constellation reached orbit, but a network of Galileo ground stations has been erected across the globe.

    In future, the number of satellites that can be inserted into orbit with a single launch will double from two to four, when a customized Ariane 5 rocket becomes available to complement Soyuz.

    Follow the launch activity at www.arianespace.com.