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Tag: Galileo navigation satellite

  • Galileo satellites atop rocket for Dec. 12 flight

    News from the European Space Agency

    Europe’s next four Galileo navigation satellites are in place atop the Ariane 5, ready to be launched Dec. 12.

    Liftoff from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana is scheduled for 18:36 GMT (19:36 CET, 15:36 local time), carrying Galileo satellites 19–22.

    Four Galileo satellites seen before being encapsulated by the protective payload fairing on Dec. 7, completing the Ariane 5 for flight VA240, scheduled for Dec. 12.

    Completion of Galileo’s Ariane 5 rocket took place in the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building, following the arrival there of the quartet of satellites, already attached to the dispenser that will hold them in position during launch, then release them into their target 22 922 km-altitude orbit

    Next, the satellites plus dispenser were placed atop the Ariane 5’s upper stage, after which the 14 m-long protective fairing was lowered over the Galileos — the last time they will be seen by human eyes. This fairing will protect them from the onrushing atmosphere during ascent.

    The next step will be Monday’s rollout to the launch zone.

    This mission will bring the Galileo system to 22 satellites. Initial Services began almost a year ago, on Dec. 15, 2016.

    Next year’s launch of another quartet will bring the constellation of 24 satellites to completion, plus two orbital spares.

    Galileo is Europe’s civil global satellite navigation system. It will allow users worldwide to know their exact position in time and space with great precision and reliability.

  • Galileo satellites readied for Dec. 12 launch

    Galileo satellites readied for Dec. 12 launch

    News from the European Space Agency

    Three of the four Galileo satellites 19-22 undergoing fit check with the dispenser that will support them during their Dec. 12 flight into orbit. (Photo: ESA)

    Europe’s next four Galileo navigation satellites and the Ariane 5 rocket due to lift them into orbit are being readied for their Dec. 12 launch from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

    On Nov. 21, Galileo satellites 19–22 were declared ready for flight, along with their Ariane. Combined activities are now under way, culminating in the satellites meeting their rocket in the Final Assembly Building.

    The satellites were flown in pairs to French Guiana last month. Once safely unboxed in the Spaceport’s cleanroom environment, they were tested to ensure they had suffered no damage during their transatlantic flights.

    The four Galileo satellites mounted on top of a customised Ariane 5 rocket inside the aerodynamic fairing. (Image: ESA)

    Next came their fit check, when they were mechanically and electrically linked one by one to the dispenser that will carry them during their ascent to the target 23,500 km-altitude orbit, before releasing them into space.

    Last Friday saw the satellites filled with enough fuel to fine-tune their orbits and orientation during their projected 12-year working lives. Next, they will be attached to their dispenser together for the final time.

    In parallel, their customised Ariane 5 is being assembled. Two solid-propellant boosters were mated with its main cryogenic stage before the addition of the interstage that carries the electronics to control the vehicle.

    Next came the addition of the storable propellant stage, powered by a reignitable engine, which will deliver the quartet to their target orbit.

    Once fully checked, the Ariane will be moved to the final building for the addition of the satellites atop their dispenser, sealed within their protective fairing.

    This launch will bring the total Galileo constellation to 22, boosting the global availability of navigation signals. Galileo began Initial Services just under a year ago, the first step before full operations, on Dec. 15.

    Galileo’s Ariane 5’s vehicle equipment bay is lowered for installation within the Final Assembly Building of Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Flight VA240 carrying Galileo satellites 19–22 into orbit is scheduled for Dec. 12. (Photo: ESA)
  • Next 2 Galileo satellites delivered for launch

    Next 2 Galileo satellites delivered for launch

    News from the European Space Agency

    Europe’s next two Galileo navigation satellites have touched down in Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana ahead of the launch of a quartet by Ariane 5 at the end of this year (scheduled for Dec. 12).

    Galileos 19 and 20 left Luxembourg Airport on a Boeing 747 cargo jet on the morning of Sept. 18, arriving at Cayenne — Félix Eboué Airport in French Guiana that evening.

    Safely cocooned within protective air-conditioned containers, the pair were offloaded and driven to the cleanroom environment of the preparation building within the space centre.

    A Galileo satellite in its protective container is unloaded from its cargo plane after landing in French Guiana Sept. 18. (Photo: ESA)

    This building will remain their home as preparations for their launch proceeds, with the next two Galileos due to join them later this month.

    The satellites join the first elements of their customised Ariane 5 at the centre — including its cryogenic main stage and half-shell payload fairing — which were delivered by ship the week before.

    Galileo is Europe’s own satellite navigation system, providing an array of positioning, navigation and timing services to Europe and the world.

    A further eight Galileo “Batch 3” satellites were ordered last June, to supplement the 26 built so far.

    A Galileo satellite is driven to the Guiana Space Centre following its arrival on Sept. 18. (Photo: ESA)

    With 18 satellites now in orbit, Galileo began initial services on Dec. 15, 2016, the first step towards full operations.

    Further launches will continue to build the constellation, which will gradually improve performance and availability worldwide.