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International Space Flight (ESA, Russia, China and others) => ESA Launchers - Ariane, Soyuz at CSG, Vega => Topic started by: beidou on 11/18/2016 03:17 pm
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According to the launch kit of VA233, this mission will be in 2018.
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Looks like our #Galileo launch next year will be the last launch of the #Ariane5 ES model ever..... #ATV #VA233 #VA240
https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/911948548161359872 (https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/911948548161359872)
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More #Galileo launcher info, heard that the spare Aestus EPS engine (sn55) for next years A5 launch was tested successfully in July @DLR_en
https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/911965461264453632 (https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/911965461264453632)
Edit to add:
Better image of an Aestus EPS engine for a #Ariane5 ES Galileo launch under test @DLR_en P4.2 test site
https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/911969094391537664
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Looks like our #Galileo launch next year will be the last launch of the #Ariane5 ES model ever..... #ATV #VA233 #VA240
https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/911948548161359872 (https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/911948548161359872)
Ariane 5 ES was mainly there to launch ATV's. Now that those are no longer flying there is also no longer any need for the EPS upper stage.
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Ariane 5 ES was mainly there to launch ATV's. Now that those are no longer flying there is also no longer any need for the EPS upper stage.
Well, what if there was a failure in the ESC-A upper stage? Then they would resort to the EPS upper stage during that investigation.
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Well, what if there was a failure in the ESC-A upper stage? Then they would resort to the EPS upper stage during that investigation.
Well after 62 missions of the ESC-A upper stage and 195 flights total of the HM7B engine it's pretty safe to rule out any non-discovered design issues.
And since there is no EPS in storage the lead time to build a new one (if possible) would be prohibitive as well.
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Looks like our #Galileo launch next year will be the last launch of the #Ariane5 ES model ever..... #ATV #VA233 #VA240
https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/911948548161359872 (https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/911948548161359872)
Ariane 5 ES was mainly there to launch ATV's. Now that those are no longer flying there is also no longer any need for the EPS upper stage.
Advance apologies if this is a re-stating of the obvious to the reader...I looked to see if there were any more payloads like Envisat (massive satellites bound for LEO) in the Ariane manifest which might be better served by an EPS upper stage vs. ESC-A...there are no more such payloads.
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No there are 0 large LEO/SSO payloads on ESA/European institutions launch manifest that can not be launched by a Soyuz. Ariane 5 ES (galileo) was cheaper when it orbits four Galileo satellites, than two Soyuz launches with two Galileo satellites.
After this (last) Ariane 5 ES 4x Galileo launch. The next launch is 2x A62 with both two galileo satellites.
I predict t this will be the second and fifth Ariane 6 launches.
There are Ariane 5 launcher serial numbers reserved for aditional Ariane 5 ES flights. But those will most likely not be used.
AFAIK there is a agreement between Arianespace (ESA) and IHI (JAXA) that Ariane 5 and H2 serve as backup for each other, in case of a anomaly. So I don't think A5ES will launch in the unlikely event of a A5 ECA failure.
I've to add this tweet from DutchSpace (https://mobile.twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/935887080223313922):
Apperently ESA has a option for a aditional Soyuz (2× Galileo) launch.
But most likely it will not be taken (only if more clocks fail, and Sats loose functionality, I guess).
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Any updates?
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sure, VA244 on the 25th of July if all goes to plan it will be the 100th Ariane 5 launch
https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/985504768410963968
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sure, VA244 on the 25th of July if all goes to plan it will be the 100th Ariane 5 launch
https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/985504768410963968 (https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/985504768410963968)
Nope, with the VA243 rescheduled, VA244 will be the 99th Ariane 5 launch, but the 100th Ariane 5 built
https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/987278019256602624 (https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/987278019256602624)
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https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/992521182464413701
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SATELLITE PAIR ARRIVE FOR GALILEO’S NEXT RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
9 May 2018
The next two satellites in Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system have arrived at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, ahead of their planned launch from the jungle space base in July.
Galileo satellites 23 and 24 left Luxembourg Airport on a Boeing 747 cargo jet on the morning of 4 May, arriving at Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport in French Guiana that evening.
They were then unloaded, still in their protective air-conditioned containers, and transported by truck to the cleanroom environment of the preparation building within Europe’s Spaceport.
This pair will be launched along with another two Galileo satellites, which are due to be transported to French Guiana later this month.
The quartet will be launched together on a customised Ariane 5 on 25 July.
The Galileo System began Initial Services on 15 December 2016, and a growing number of commercial devices are using Galileo today. Completion of the constellation should improve Galileo’s positioning accuracy further still.
But Galileo satellites will continue to be launched into the future: a further 12 Galileo ‘Batch 3’ satellites were ordered last June, supplementing the 26 built so far to provide further in-orbit spares, and replacements for the oldest Galileo satellites, first launched in 2011.
A steady stream of orbital spares, ready to replace satellites reaching the end of their operational lives, is essential to ensure Galileo continues operating seamlessly.
Looking further ahead, with the aim of keeping Galileo services as a permanent part of the European and global landscape, replacement satellites will be required by the middle of the next decade, offering improved performance and added features.
About Galileo
Galileo is Europe’s own global satellite navigation system, consisting of both the satellites in space and their associated ground infrastructure.
The definition, development and in-orbit validation phases were carried out by ESA, and co-funded by ESA and the European Commission. This phase created a mini-constellation of four satellites and a reduced ground segment o validate the overall concept, ahead of further deployment.
Success led to the current Full Operational Capability phase, fully funded by the EU and managed by the Commission. The Commission and ESA have a delegation agreement by which ESA acts as system design authority and procurement agent on behalf of the Commission.
http://m.esa.int/Our_Activities/Navigation/Satellite_pair_arrive_for_Galileo_s_next_rumble_in_the_jungle
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Some pics of the first pair of Galileo satellites at Kourou
https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/05/Unboxing_Galileo
https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/05/Preparing_to_lift_satellite
https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/05/Moving_satellite
https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/05/Galileo_satellites_together
Credits: ESA-CNES-Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG - JM Guillon
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June 6, 2018
The Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s next Galileo mission is at the Spaceport
Launch vehicle elements for Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 flight at the service of Europe’s Galileo global satellite navigation system, which is planned for July, have been delivered to the Spaceport.
These components, including the core cryogenic stage, arrived in French Guiana aboard one of two sea-going roll-on/roll-off ships that transport launcher hardware from Europe to the South American launch site for Arianespace’s family of launch vehicles.
The mission – designated Flight VA244 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system – will orbit four more Galileo FOC (Full Operational Capability) spacecraft, to be deployed into medium Earth orbit from a dispenser system on the Ariane 5 ES launcher version. Galileo is designed to provide a new European global satellite navigation system with precision positioning services under civilian control.
A launch for European institutional customers
As Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, Galileo is operated under civilian control, offering guaranteed high-precision positioning around the world. Its initial services began in December 2016, allowing users equipped with Galileo-enabled devices to combine Galileo and GPS data for better positioning accuracy.
The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for operating the Galileo satellite navigation systems on behalf of the European Union. This authority was transferred to GSA from the European Space Agency (ESA) in July 2017.
Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom. Flight VA244’s four passengers are located at the Spaceport, where they are undergoing their own pre-flight preparations. The satellites were delivered to French Guiana via cargo aircraft, then transported by road to the Spaceport.
Arianespace already has launched 22 Galileo spacecraft, with eight being orbited on two previous Ariane 5 missions (Flights VA233 and VA240 in November 2016 and December 2017, respectively), and the others lofted by seven medium-lift Soyuz vehicles carrying two satellites each. Ariane 5 is delivered to Arianespace by ArianeGroup as production prime contractor.
http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/va244-ariane-5-at-spaceport/
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June 13, 2018
All four satellites are undergoing preparation for Ariane 5’s next Galileo launch
The four Galileo satellites for Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 mission at the service of Europe’s navigation system are coming together in their flight configuration, while parallel preparations continue with the mission’s heavy-lift launcher.
During pre-flight activity in French Guiana at the Spaceport’s S1A processing facility, these FOC (Full Operational Capability) spacecraft have undergone their fit-checks with the dispenser system to be installed on Ariane 5.
This dispenser system will secure the Galileo FOC satellites in place during their ascent to a targeted release altitude of 23,222 km., then deploy them in rapid sequence using a pyrotechnic separation system.
Designated as Flight VA244 in Arianespace’s numbering system, the July mission’s Ariane 5 is now at the Spaceport, positioning it for build-up in the Launcher Integration Building. After completion of verifications and systems checkout by production prime contractor ArianeGroup, this Ariane 5 ES version will be moved to the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building for payload integration.
Galileo: Europe’s global navigation satellite system
As Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, Galileo is operated under civilian control, offering guaranteed high-precision positioning around the world. Its initial services began in December 2016, allowing users equipped with Galileo-enabled devices to combine Galileo and GPS data for better positioning accuracy.
The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for operating the Galileo satellite navigation systems on behalf of the European Union. Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom.
Flight VA244 is Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission carrying European Galileo satellites, following previous launches in November 2016 and December 2017. Prior to that, the company orbited 14 of them on seven Soyuz missions performed between October 2011 and May 2016.
http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/va244-galileo-fit-check/
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June 18, 2018
Ariane 5 takes shape for its July mission to orbit satellites for Europe’s Galileo constellation
The next Ariane 5 to orbit satellites for Europe’s Galileo global navigation system has begun taking shape at French Guiana, as build-up of the heavy-lift vehicle is now underway inside the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building.
Following the established assembly flow, the process began with this week’s positioning of the launch vehicle’s central core cryogenic stage over one of two mobile launch tables utilized for Ariane 5. It was followed by integration of the two large solid propellant boosters – which were installed directly on the launch table and mated to the core stage, clearing the way for placement of the upper stage, topped off with the vehicle equipment bay.
Once the Ariane 5’s basic build-up is completed under the direction of production prime contractor ArianeGroup, it will be moved to the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building for installation of its four Galileo FOC (Full Operational Capability) satellite passengers – which currently are undergoing their own pre-flight preparations at the Spaceport. Liftoff is scheduled for July to a deployment in circular medium Earth orbit (MEO).
Galileo: Europe’s global navigation system
The heavy-lift vehicle for Arianespace’s upcoming Galileo launch – designated Flight VA244 in the company’s launcher family number system – is an Ariane 5 ES version, equipped with the EPS storable propellent upper stage. This propulsion system replaces the ESC-A cryogenic upper stage utilized on Ariane 5 ECA variants, which typically carry telecommunications payloads to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
As Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, Galileo is operated under civilian control, offering guaranteed high-precision positioning around the world. Its initial services began in December 2016, allowing users equipped with Galileo-enabled devices to combine Galileo and GPS data for better positioning accuracy.
The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for operating the Galileo satellite navigation systems on behalf of the European Union. This authority was transferred to GSA from the European Space Agency (ESA) in July 2017.
Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom.
http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/va244-ariane-5-takes-shape/
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VA244 launch sticker
(credit: CNES facebook)
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Source: SFN Launch Schedule https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ , June 29 update
Slight change to VA244 launch time on July 25 to 11:25:01 UTC
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June 28, 2018
Ariane 5 is ready to receive its Galileo satellites for launch by Arianespace in July
The next Ariane 5 launcher to orbit Galileo navigation satellites has completed its initial build-up in French Guiana, continuing preparations for Arianespace’s July mission – which is designated Flight VA244 in the company’s numbering system.
This heavy-lift vehicle underwent its assembly process inside the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building, beginning with the mating of its two solid propellant strap-on boosters and the core cryogenic stage. The next steps were the launcher’s vehicle equipment bay integration atop the core stage, followed by installation of the storable propellant stage – which is the configuration used on this Ariane 5 ES version of Arianespace’s workhorse launcher.
After completion of verifications and systems checkout by ArianeGroup, production prime contractor the launcher, Ariane 5 will be moved to the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building for integration of its four-satellite payload of Galileo FOC (Full Operational Capability) satellites.
Sending satellites to a circular medium Earth orbit
A dispenser system will secure the four Galileo FOC satellites in place during their ascent to a targeted release in a circular medium Earth orbit (MEO) using a pyrotechnic separation system.
As Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, Galileo is operated under civilian control, offering guaranteed high-precision positioning around the world. Its initial services began in December 2016, allowing users equipped with Galileo-enabled devices to combine Galileo and GPS data for better positioning accuracy.
The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for operating the Galileo satellite navigation systems on behalf of the European Union. Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom.
http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/ariane-5-initial-build-up/
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Some pics were posted by CNES on facebook showing the fueling of one of the satellites ("Tara") on June 26
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CNES also posted some pics of the logo's being placed on the Ariane fairing
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Good morning gorgeous... #VA244 #IWishThereWasAWebcamAtCSG
https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/1014822481092399109
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The first Galileo sat ("Tara") was placed on the dispenser on July 4
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July 6, 2018
Dual-transfer: Ariane 5s for Arianespace’s next heavy-lift missions are on the move in French Guiana
Arianespace’s flexibility and reactivity in responding to mission changes due to payload availability was underscored with this week’s simultaneous transfer of the 99th and 100th Ariane 5 launchers – which will be utilized on consecutive multi-passenger heavy-lift flights performed from French Guiana in 2018.
During activity at the Spaceport, the no. 99 Ariane 5 – an ES version that will orbit four Galileo FOC (Full Operational Capability) satellites on July 25 – was transferred from the Launcher Integration Building, where its basic build-up was performed, to the Final Assembly Building for payload installation. This upcoming mission is designated Flight VA244 in Arianespace’s numbering system.
The Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building was available due to the parallel rollout of the milestone 100th Ariane 5, which is scheduled for launch in early September carrying the Azerspace-2/Intelsat-38 satellite for Azercosmos and Intelsat, along with another payload to be announced. After moving out of the Final Assembly Building, this ECA version of Ariane 5 had a temporary stopover in the ELA-3 launch zone before heading to the Launcher Integration Building for its own pre-flight preparations.
Designated Flight VA243, the Ariane 5 ECA had been set for a late May liftoff, but its timing was shifted because additional technical checks were required for the mission’s originally-scheduled co-passenger.
Ready for payload integration
The transfer of Flight VA244’s Ariane 5 to the Final Assembly Building is a major step, signaling its readiness for integration of the mission’s four Galileo satellites – which will be released to a circular medium Earth orbit (MEO).
The processing of these satellites occurred at the Spaceport’s S1 building, was followed by their fueling in the S3B facility – enabling their subsequent installation atop a multi-passenger dispenser system.
As Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, Galileo is operated under civilian control, offering guaranteed high-precision positioning around the world. Its initial services began in December 2016, allowing users equipped with Galileo-enabled devices to combine Galileo and GPS data for better positioning accuracy.
The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for operating the Galileo satellite navigation systems on behalf of the European Union.
Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads are provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom.
http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/ariane-5-dual-transfer/
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Galileos on dispenser
Two out of four Galileo satellites in the process of being attached to the dispenser that holds them in place during their flight to orbit then releases them into their target orbit, ahead of their 25 July 2018 launch to orbit by Ariane 5. The attachment of the four satellites to their dispenser took place inside the S3B payload preparation building of Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
Credits: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG – JM Guillon
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Cross-post:
Iridium Announces Updated Dates for Iridium-7 Launch and Second-Quarter 2018 Earnings Call
MCLEAN, Va. – July 10, 2018 – Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) announced today an updated launch date for the seventh Iridium® NEXT launch and as a result, a revised date for its second-quarter 2018 earnings call. The Iridium-7 mission is now targeting July 25, 2018 from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) in California with an instantaneous launch window of 4:39:26 am PDT (11:39:26 UTC). This updated schedule comes after SpaceX informed Iridium that more time was needed to prepare the rocket for launch.
VA244 is scheduled to launch only 14 minutes, 25 seconds before Falcon 9/Iridium-7 from Vandenberg!
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All four sats were transferred to the BAF, and placed on the rocket on July 11.
(credit: CNES facebook)
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Fairing lowered over Galileos 23–26
Their protective fairing being lowered over Galileo satellites 23–26 atop their Ariane 5 inside the BAF Final Assembly Building, ahead of the launch of Arianespace Flight VA244 on Wednesday 25 July.
Credits: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG - S Martin
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Press Release
N°18-2018
Paris, 17 July 2018
Call for Media: Galileo 23-26 close to launch
The last four Galileo satellites of the second FOC (Full Operational Capability) batch are scheduled for launch on 25 July at 11:25 GMT (13:25 CEST, 08:25 local time) from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on an Ariane 5 rocket, designated
Flight VA244 by Arianespace.
This launch will be the third and last one using a customised Ariane 5 ES launcher, placing the next four Galileo satellites into the last of the three Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) circular orbits at an altitude of 23 222 km.
This launch will mark Europe’s 99th Ariane 5 flight. The four new Galileo satellites will bring the constellation from 22 to 26 satellites – further improving Galileo’s positioning accuracy and global reach. ESA and its Galileo partners have deployed
22 Galileo satellites in just over four years.
The Galileo system began Initial Services on 15 December 2016, and more than 100 million commercial devices are using Galileo today.
Media are invited to take part in an audio briefing on 24 July at 16:30 GMT (18:30 CEST, 13:30 local time) to learn the latest on the status of the system. Journalists interested in joining the briefing should request access information via email to
ESA’s Media Relations Office at: [email protected] by 23 July at the latest.
Follow the launch
ESA TV
In cooperation with Arianespace, ESA TV provides broadcasters with free live videostream of the launch. More information at: http://www.esa.int/esatv/Television
ESA Portal
The launch will be covered live on ESA’s web Portal at www.esa.int, including livestream and launch updates.
Social media
Follow the launch on social media:
Twitter: @esa and the hashtag #Galileo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanSpaceAgency
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ESA
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Flight VA244: Arianespace’s Ariane 5 launch for the Galileo constellation and Europe
July 17, 2018
For its fourth launch of the year, Arianespace will orbit four more satellites (satellites 23 to 26) for the Galileo constellation. This mission is being performed on behalf of the European Commission under a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA).
For the third time, an Ariane 5 ES version will be used to orbit satellites in Europe’s own satellite navigation system; with all Galileo spacecraft having been launched to date by Arianespace. Ariane 6 will take over from 2020.
Arianespace is proud to mobilize its entire family of launch vehicles for the benefit of Europe’s ambitions and its independent access to space.
The Flight VA244 will be from Ariane Launch Complex No. 3 (ELA 3) in Kourou, French Guiana.
The Launch Readiness Review (LRR) will take place on Friday, July 20, 2018 in Kourou, to authorize the start of operations for the final countdown.
Galileo is Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, providing a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control. Currently providing Initial Services, Galileo is interoperable with GPS and Glonass, the U.S. and Russian global satellite navigation systems. By offering dual frequencies as standard, Galileo is set to deliver real-time positioning accuracy down to the meter range.
The constellation will count 24 operational satellites plus in-orbit spares, of which 22 already have been put into orbit by Arianespace.
In July 2017, ESA officially transferred the supervision of Galileo in-orbit operations to the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency (GSA), on behalf of the European Union. After the VA244 launch, the GSA will be responsible for operating the satellites as soon as they are separated from the launcher. These operations of setting up and operating the system will be done in collaboration with ESA.
The Galileo satellites are built by prime contractor OHB System in Bremen, Germany, with the payloads supplied by UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), which is an Airbus Defense and Space affiliate.
For further information, download the Flight VA244 Launch Kit by clicking here: http://www.arianespace.com/press-kits/
To watch a live, high-speed online transmission of the launch (including commentary in French and English from the launch site), go to arianespace.com or to youtube.com/arianespace on July 25, 2018, beginning 20 minutes before liftoff.
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Encapsulation took place on July 12
(credit: CNES facebook)
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July 20, 2018
Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission with Galileo satellites is “go” for launch
Next week’s Arianespace flight with four European Galileo navigation spacecraft has been approved for a morning liftoff on July 25 following the launch readiness review held today at the Spaceport in French Guiana
Designated Flight VA244 in Arianespace’s numbering system, the launch will deploy its quartet of Galileo spacecraft during a nearly four-hour flight, with liftoff set at exactly 8:25:01 a.m. local time in French Guiana on Wednesday.
Today’s launch readiness review validated the “go” status of the Ariane 5 ES launcher version, its Galileo passengers, as well as the Spaceport’s launch site infrastructure and the network of tracking stations.
The Galileo satellites have a liftoff mass of approximately 740 kg. each, and will be injected into a medium Earth orbit (MEO) at an altitude of 22,922 kilometers. To achieve this, the Ariane 5’s storable propellant upper stage will perform two separate burns.
Europe’s global navigation satellite system
As Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, Galileo is operated under civilian control, offering guaranteed high-precision positioning around the world. Its initial services began in December 2016, allowing users equipped with Galileo-enabled devices to combine Galileo and GPS data for better positioning accuracy.
The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for operating the Galileo satellite navigation systems on behalf of the European Union. Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom.
Flight VA244 is Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission carrying European Galileo satellites, following previous launches in November 2016 and December 2017. Prior to that, the company orbited 14 of them on seven Soyuz missions performed between October 2011 and May 2016.
Liftoff time for Flight VA244:
- French Guiana 8:25:01 a.m. on July 25
- Universal Time (UTC) 11:25:01 on July 25
- Washington D.C., USA 7:25:01 a.m. on July 25
- Paris, France 1:25:01 p.m. on July 25
http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/va244-lrr/
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http://www.arianespace.com/mission/ariane-flight-va244/
Launch kit
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https://youtu.be/zLdWcfXqj_A (https://youtu.be/zLdWcfXqj_A)
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The #Ariane5 launcher for tomorrow's #Galileo launch was moved to the launch zone yesterday. Liftoff 25 July at 13:25 CEST (11:25 GMT)
Watch live: esa.int/live
https://twitter.com/esa/status/1021644591307603968
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What slots are these satellites going into?
So far:
plane B has 4 satellites, 3 healthy and 1 in reserve (GSAT0204 was removed I think to look after it's clocks when several of the early satellites's clocks died)
plane A has 8 satellites, 4 still under commissioning (but there is doubt about GSAT0215's health as it is still sending dummy navigation data)
plane C has 8 satellites, 7 healthy and 1 in retirement (GSAT0104 I think has bad clocks)
Seems likely they finish off plane B?
They will be two healthy satellites short of the full 24 satellite constellation, however the two elliptical satellites are supposed to be perfectly usable if receiver manufacturers choose to include them.
Perhaps they will turn GSAT0204 back on to announce full services?
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Nice shot:
Peek-a-boo #VA244 #Galileo #ESA
https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/1021711363243225088?s=21 (https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/1021711363243225088?s=21)
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Some #VA244 numbers:
1. Launcher serial: L596
2. This will be the 99th Ariane 5 launched
3. This,however,is the 100th Ariane 5 built (EPC Serial 5100)
4. Medium fairing serial: C5102M
5. Dispenser FM03
6. EAP serials 5100.1 and 5100.2
7. Vulcain 2 serial: M287
8. EPS serial: 533
https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/1021730335749550080
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July 23, 2018
Ariane 5 reaches the launch zone for this week’s Arianespace mission with four Galileo satellites
Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 for liftoff this year has rolled out to the launch zone in French Guiana, clearing the way for the heavy-lift vehicle’s third mission carrying satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation system.
The completed Ariane 5 ES version was transferred today atop its mobile launch table from the Final Assembly Building – where payload integration occurred – to the Spaceport’s dedicated ELA-3 launch complex.
Designated Flight VA244 in the company’s numbering system, this upcoming Ariane 5 mission – set for Wednesday, July 25 – will lift off at exactly 8:25:01 a.m. local time in French Guiana and deploy its quartet of Galileo spacecraft into medium Earth orbit (MEO) on a nearly four-hour flight.
During the flight sequence, Ariane 5’s storable propellant upper stage will perform two burns, which are to be separated by a 3-hour, 8-minute ballistic phase. The four Galileo satellites have a liftoff mass of 717.7 kg. each, with Ariane 5’s overall payload lift performance set at 3,287 kg.
Another launch for European institutional customers
Flight VA244 is Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission carrying European Galileo satellites, following previous launches in December 2017 and November 2016. Prior to that, the company orbited 14 of them on seven Soyuz missions performed between October 2011 and May 2016.
As Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, Galileo is operated under civilian control, offering guaranteed high-precision positioning around the world. Its initial services began in December 2016, allowing users equipped with Galileo-enabled devices to combine Galileo and GPS data for better positioning accuracy.
The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for operating the Galileo satellite navigation systems on behalf of the European Union. Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom.
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Getting this article on now so it doesn't get swallowed up by the Falcon 9 launch article:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/07/ariane-5-es-bow-out-launch-galileo-quadruplets/
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Anyone seen a better webcast link than the ESA page?
https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Navigation/Galileo/Watch_the_launch_of_Galileos_23_26
CNES option thanks to @_elbertina
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSdG7znJeA
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Galileo's Ariane 5 at ZL3 launch site
Flight VA244's Ariane 5 with Galileo satellites 23–26 aboard has been moved from the BAF Final Assembly Building to the ZL3 launch site ahead of its launch on Wednesday 25 July 2018.
Credits: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG - P Baudon
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Under one hour to launch now.
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Anyone seen a better webcast link than the ESA page?
https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Navigation/Galileo/Watch_the_launch_of_Galileos_23_26
CNES option thanks to @_elbertina
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSdG7znJeA
The Arianespace page? http://www.arianespace.com/mission/ariane-flight-va244/ (http://www.arianespace.com/mission/ariane-flight-va244/)
(webcast should automatically appear later)
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Arianespace webcast is now available to watch.
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All nominal at the launch site for today’s #Ariane5 launch with 4 #Galileo satellites. Weather status: all green. Liftoff at 13:25 CEST (11:25 GMT)
Watch live from 13:00 CEST (11:00 GMT) esa.int/live
https://twitter.com/esa/status/1022072157654974464
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Webcast is live on ESA's website; Arianespace is apparently NOT hosting it.
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Was taken at the 18-minute mark.
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Weather is GREEN, no issues being reported.
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T-15 minutes.
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Completely green board.
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Today's launch will complete the Galileo constellation at a total of 26 sats.
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T-10 minutes.
Launch continues to be scheduled for 11:25:08.3 UTC (8:25:08.3 AM local), which is 7.3 seconds after H0: the time of main engine start.
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Currently showing overhead views of the Guiana Space Centre using a drone.
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T-7 minutes. Synchronized Sequence has just started, as reported by the DDO.
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Nice updated view of the Ariane 6 launch site!
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Under 6 minutes to launch. No last-minute issues have arisen yet.
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T-5 minutes.
According to a recent tweet from Arianespace, not only will this be the last Ariane 5ES model to be launched, but the medium-sized fairing will be retired and this will be the last time four Galileo satellites are launched at once.
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T-4 minutes. First and second stages should be pressurizing to flight level.
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T-3 minutes.
Typically, for Ariane 5ES launches, the cryogenic swing-arms are not necessary since the second stage burns a mixture of monomethylhydrazine and dinitrogen tetroxide.
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T-2 minutes. It'll take 3 hours, 55 minutes, and 57.7 seconds from liftoff to the deployment of the last two Galileo satellites.
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T-1 minute. As the DDO announces the last minute of the countdown, the spectators in the Jupiter Control Room have just walked outside to view the launch in person.
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T-30 seconds. Go Ariane, Go Galileo.
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T-15. Hydrogen burn igniters are being lit under the main engine.
10, 9, 8, 7, main engine start, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and we have liftoff. Liftoff of the last Ariane 5ES rocket carrying the Galileo-FOC F8 mission into medium Earth orbit for the European Space Agency.
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Pitch and roll programs have commenced and propulsion looks good in the main engine and SRBs.
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T+50 seconds. Ariane 5 passing through Mach 1 and will soon experience maximum dynamic pressure.
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LAUNCH!
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Screencap of initial launch.
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At T+129.4 seconds, the SRBs will burn out and they'll be jettisoned about two seconds later.
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T+2 minutes. SRBs are now burning out as planned.
And both SRBs have jettisoned. The main engine continuing to propel the Galileo satellites out of the atmosphere.
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Coming up on payload fairing jettison at T+216.7 seconds.
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Sorry for the lack of screenshots. I'll add some.
Booster sep.
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Still can see the launch vehicle from the naked eye without the use of telemetry.
Payload fairing has been jettisoned, exposing the four Galileo satellites to space.
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T+4 minutes, 50 seconds.
Altitude 129 kilometers, downrange 450 kilometers, velocity 3.4 kilometers a second.
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At the time of fairing sep, Ariane 5 weighed about 18% of its liftoff mass, which was 759.1 tons.
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LAUNCH!
Lots of birds at the pad at liftoff, some traversing the actual exhaust column :O
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T+6 minutes.
Altitude 138 kilometers, downrange 700 kilometers, velocity 4.2 kilometers a second.
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Performance is still nominal in the first stage engine.
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T+7 minutes. Next major event will be Main Engine Cut-Off at T+528.7 seconds.
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Altitude 133 kilometers, downrange 1,240 kilometers, velocity 6.3 kilometers a second.
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T+8 minutes. We'll lose signal from the Galliot station pretty soon.
We've had SNA AOS.
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And there's MECO. Stage separation is confirmed, and we're standing by for second stage engine start in 15 seconds.
Vehicle had already reached orbital speed before shutdown.
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Second stage is up and running. This first burn will last 639 seconds until T+19 minutes, 50.7 seconds.
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T+10 minutes. Make sure to tune in to SpaceX for the Iridium-NEXT F7 launch in four minutes.
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On to the upper stage.
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Altitude 218 kilometers, downrange 2,500 kilometers, velocity 8.4 kilometers a second.
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At this time, Ariane 5 is flying directly over the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
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Launch replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZssQ8_neF0
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T+12 minutes.
Second stage thrust is nominal.
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Altitude 356 kilometers, downrange 3,630 kilometers, velocity 8.5 kilometers a second.
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About six minutes left in this first burn.
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T+14 minutes, 18 seconds. At this point, the Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket has lifted off from Vandenberg carrying the Iridium-NEXT F7 mission.
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Altitude 530 kilometers, downrange 4,700 kilometers, velocity 8.63 kilometers a second.
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T+16 minutes.
Continuing to hear from the DDO that everything is nominal.
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Three minutes remaining until shutdown.
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Altitude 815 kilometers, downrange 5,930 kilometers, velocity 8.78 kilometers a second.
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Vehicle travelling nearly 9 kilometers a second.
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SECO-1 has occurred and Ariane 5 has inserted itself into a parking orbit, whose apogee rises to at least 22,922 kilometers.
Between SECO-1 and the second stage restart is a coast phase lasting 11,272 seconds, which is about 3 hours and 8 minutes.
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Altitude 1,210 kilometers, downrange 7,200 kilometers, velocity 8.79 kilometers a second.
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Right now, the second stage is doing a barbecue roll maneuver to even out thermal heating.
Showing launch replays.
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Acores still has telemetry-lock on Ariane 5.
T+23 minutes.
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Vehicle is flying over central Europe.
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Coverage will resume at 14:50:03 UTC, so for now, we'll take a commercial break and when we return, we'll see the second of two burns to place the four Galileo satellites into their proper orbit. See you then.
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July 25, 2018
Ariane 5 lifts off from French Guiana with four Galileo spacecraft
Arianespace’s Ariane 5 launcher has begun its latest mission from the Spaceport, carrying four satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation system.
Lifting off at exactly 8:25:01 a.m. local time in French Guiana, the heavy-lift vehicle is to deploy its passengers on a flight lasting approximately 3 hrs., 56 min.
Payload lift performance for today’s mission – which is designated Flight VA244 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system – is estimated at 3,287 kg.
http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/ariane-5-lifts-off-from-french-guiana-with-four-galileo-spacecraft-2/
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Just passed the 1-hour mark in the flight.
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We've also regained telemetry from Ariane 5.
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Currently, we're at an altitude of 10,240 kilometers, a downrange distance of 15,100 kilometers, and a velocity of 4.64 kilometers per second.
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Taken at T+70 minutes.
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T+86 minutes. Coast phase continues to be nominal for Ariane 5 as it makes its way to the 22,922-kilometer apogee.
Right now, Falcon 9 has just finished deploying all ten Iridium-NEXT satellites.
However, on the other side of the world, there's about two hours left until the second burn of the second stage, which will circularize its parking orbit. Coverage will resume at 14:50:03 UTC.
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Ariane 5 is at an altitude of 14,540 kilometers, a downrange distance of 16,195 kilometers, and a velocity of 3.57 kilometers per second.
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HI Res
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T+112 minutes.
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Telemetry is back online; should be in range of the New Norcia tracking station.
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Ariane 5 is flying over Indonesia at this time.
Its altitude is 19,230 kilometers, travelling at 2.65 kilometers per second, and located 16,514 kilometers downrange.
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About an hour and 18 minutes left in the coast phase.
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Nominal barbecue roll as reported by the DDO.
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Thirty minutes remaining until the second stage engine restart.
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Altitude is now 22,360 kilometers, downrange distance is 15,986 kilometers, velocity is 2.05 kilometers per second.
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About ten minutes until commentary resumes.
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Welcome back to the second part of this morning's coverage of the Galileo-FOC F8 mission.
We're about two and a half minutes away from the second stage restart; following that, the hypergolic-fueled engine will burn for 378 seconds and round out its orbit at an altitude of 22,922 kilometers and an inclination of 56 degrees.
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Recapping previous events 3 hours ago.
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Engine restart is confirmed. Thrust looks good so far.
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Approaching the 3 hour, 30 minute mark.
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Altitude 22,911 kilometers, downrange 15,544 kilometers, velocity 2.06 kilometers a second.
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About four minutes left in the burn.
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T+212 minutes. Second stage propulsion still looks healthy.
New Norcia also has telemetry-lock on the vehicle.
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About a minute of powered flight remaining.
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And we have engine shutdown at T+214 minutes, 0.7 seconds. In 117 seconds, the first two Galileo satellites will separate from the dispenser.
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Coasting again.
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The first two Galileo satellites have separated. As we wait for another twenty minutes to release the other two satellites, we'll also wait for AOS of the first two, per Arianespace protocol.
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T+217 minutes.
Altitude 22,913 kilometers, downrange 15,452 kilometers, velocity 2.93 kilometers a second.
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Explaining the purpose of GIOVE A and B: the prototype sats for the Galileo constellation.
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15 minutes left until the deployment of the last two Galileo sats.
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In a short span of time, 26 Galileo satellites were launched on Soyuz-2 and Ariane 5 rockets.
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Four and a half minutes until the release of the last two Galileo sats.
Altitude 22,916 kilometers, downrange 15,295 kilometers, velocity 2.88 kilometers a second.
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Just coasting for a while.
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And the last two Galileo satellites have separated from the dispenser, marking the end of mission for Ariane 5, but we'll have to wait for AOS before confirming a successful mission.
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There was some applause following the second payload deployment event, yet we still have to wait.
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S/C Sep for Ellen and Samuel!
Ariane ES completes its final ever mission. Farewell, and we thank you.
Article:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/07/ariane-5-es-bow-out-launch-galileo-quadruplets/
Great work from Zach here. Everyone drop him some likes for covering this throughout!
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Very important for the solar panels to deploy, so that the satellites don't have to rely on batteries.
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Showing launch replays yet again.
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Taking another commercial break until satellite AOS is confirmed.
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Stéphane Israël at the speech podium.
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Two of four satellites are healthy.
Congratulations to Arianespace and ESA on another successful Ariane 5 mission, continuing to bounce back from the partial failure last January.
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Second pair of sats in the process of deploying their solar panels.
Waiting for further info.
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It's amazing what drones can show us.
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AOS of the first two sats occurred about thirty minutes after deployment, so maybe by 15:53 UTC, the second two sats will have AOS.
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Galileo SAT 23-26 deployment (Tara, Samuel, Anna, Ellen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr_QA62FEkc
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And we have AOS of the other two satellites. A lot of excitement and applause in the Jupiter Control Room.
Post-launch speeches coming up.
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Stéphane Israël yet again.
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Elzbieta Bienkowska.
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Jean-Yves Le Gall.
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Press Release
N°19-2018
Paris, 25 July 2018
New satellite launch extends Galileo’s global reach
Four more Galileo satellites were launched today by an Ariane 5. Their arrival in orbit brings the Galileo constellation to 26 satellites, extending the global coverage of the constellation. Ariane 5 flight VA244, operated by Arianespace under contract to ESA, lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 11:25 GMT (13:25 CEST, 08:25 local time), carrying Galileo satellites 23–26. The first pair of 715 kg satellites was released almost 3 hours 36 minutes after liftoff, while the second pair separated 20 minutes later.
They were released into their target 22 922 km-altitude orbit by the dispenser atop the Ariane 5 upper stage. In the coming days, this quartet will be steered into their final working orbits by the French space agency CNES, under contract to the Galileo operator SpaceOpal for the European Global Navigation Satellite System Agency (GSA). There, they will begin around six months of tests by SpaceOpal to verify their operational readiness so they can join the working Galileo constellation.
“Galileo is ESA’s largest ever satellite constellation, built up to its present size in rapid time, with 22 Full Operational Capability satellites added within just the last four years,” remarked Jan Wörner, ESA’s Director General.
“We must thank our industrial partners OHB (DE) and SSTL (GB) for the satellites, as well as Thales Alenia Space (FR/IT) and Airbus Defence and Space (GB/FR) for the ground segment and all their subcontractors throughout Europe for their continued support to the programme. Together with ESA, the entire industrial team has worked hard for the point at which we now are and this cooperation have proven to be very successful, as we can show in the excellent performance of Galileo.”
Paul Verhoef, ESA’s Director of Navigation, added, “Galileo has been providing Initial Services on a worldwide basis since 15 December 2016, and today has more than 100 million users, and rapidly increasing. Today’s satellites will increase the global coverage of Galileo with a performance that is widely recognised as excellent.
“This is the end of the current phase of Galileo deployment, but our pace is not slacking. A further 12 Galileo ‘Batch 3’ satellites are in preparation as in-orbit spares and as replacements for the oldest Galileo satellites, first launched in 2011 in order to keep the system working seamlessly into the future.
“Then a new generation of Galileos are planned for the middle of the next decade, offering improved performance and added features, maintaining Galileo as a permanent feature of the global GNSS landscape.”
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Pedro Duque.
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July 25, 2018
Arianespace continues the momentum for Europe’s Galileo constellation with another Ariane 5 success
With today’s Ariane 5 morning success from the Spaceport in French Guiana, Arianespace has now orbited a total of 26 satellites for Europe’s Galileo global navigation system with its launch vehicle family – further underscoring its ability to meet the launch requirements of high-profile institutional customers.
This mission, designated Flight VA244 in Arianespace’s numbering system, was performed from the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone, with Ariane 5 deploying its four passengers during a mission lasting approximately 3 hours, 56 minutes.
Liftoff occurred at the precise moment of launch – 8:25:01 a.m., local time in French Guiana – with the vehicle ascending through skies with only scattered clouds, providing a clear view of its initial trajectory, including separation of the two solid propellant boosters.
The four Galileo satellites weighed approximately 716 kg. each, and were deployed from a dispenser system that released the passengers in two sets during an interval of 20 minutes. The Ariane 5’s overall payload lift performance to medium Earth orbit (MEO) was set at 3,284 kg.
From Soyuz to Ariane 5 to Ariane 6
Flight VA244 was the third to utilize the workhorse Ariane 5 ES version – supplied by production prime contractor ArianeGroup – in lofting operational Galileo spacecraft. It followed previous missions that orbited four satellites each in 2016 and 2017; plus 14 others launched in pairs aboard the company’s Russian-built Soyuz vehicles during seven missions performed between 2011 and 2016.
Following today’s third and final Arianespace’s Galileo mission using an Ariane 5, future launches for the global navigation system will utilize the next-generation Ariane 6 – which is scheduled to begin providing services to Europe and worldwide customers in 2020. Two Galileo missions already have been assigned to the Ariane 6’s A62 version.
This also marked the last utilization of an Ariane 5 ES version, equipped with a storable propellant upper stage. The Ariane 5 ES also was utilized on Arianespace missions that launched five European-built Automated Transfer Vehicle cargo resupply spacecraft to the International Space Station.
Another Arianespace success for Europe
As Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, Galileo is operated under civilian control, offering guaranteed high-precision positioning around the world. The Galileo program is funded and owned by the European Union. The European Commission has overall responsibility for the program, with Flight VA244 performed by Arianespace on behalf of the European Commission under contract with the European Space Agency (ESA).
The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for operating the Galileo satellite navigation systems on behalf of the European Union. Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom.
Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom.
The next missions for Arianespace
Flight VA244 marked the 99th liftoff of a heavy-lift Ariane 5 to date, and as such, set the stage for this vehicle’s milestone 100th mission in September – carrying satellites at the service of Intelsat, SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation and Azercosmos.
It will follow Arianespace’s next mission on the 2018 schedule – Flight VV12 – which will utilize a light-lift Vega on August 21 to orbit the European Space Agency’s Aeolus “wind satellite.”
The pioneering Aeolus mission uses powerful laser technology that probes the lowermost 30 km. of Earth’s atmosphere to yield vertical profiles of the wind, as well as information on aerosols and clouds. By recording and monitoring the weather in different parts of the world, it will allow scientists to build complex models of the environment – which can then be used to help predict how that environment will behave in the future.
Also on Arianespace’s manifest is the October launch of BepiColombo, using an Ariane 5 to send the two-component spacecraft on its way to the planet Mercury. This interplanetary mission, conducted in cooperation with Japan, will place the two components in orbit around Mercury, with one studying the surface and internal composition of the planet, and the other evaluating its magnetosphere.
http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/va244-galileo-success/
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July 25, 2018
Arianespace orbits four more Galileo satellites, as Ariane 5 logs its 99th mission
Arianespace has successfully launched four more satellites in the Galileo constellation. Liftoff was at 8:25 a.m. (local time) July 25, 2018 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
Today’s launch was the 99th mission by the Ariane 5 heavy launcher. It was carried out on behalf of the European Commission as part of a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA). It also was the last in a series of three launches for Galileo using the version of Ariane 5 with a storable propellant upper stage (ES). Two additional missions to deploy four more satellites have been assigned to the A62 version of the upcoming Ariane 6 launch vehicle.
Today’s emblematic launch also was a landmark for the European space sector. Taking place at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, it brought together, in addition to the ESA Director General and the heads of national space agencies, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, the European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW); Frédérique Vidal, the French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation; Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister of State, attached to the Ministre d’Etat, Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition; and Pedro Duque, the Spanish Minister for Science, Innovation and Universities.
Galileo, the European satellite navigation system
Galileo is Europe’s own global navigation satellite system. The complete Galileo system will comprise a total of 24 operational satellites, along with six spares.
Since December 2016, Galileo has offered guaranteed and high-precision positioning services under civilian control. These services already are used by more than 100 million commercial devices.
Today’s flight, VA244, the third and last performed with the Ariane 5 ES launcher dedicated to Galileo missions, orbited the constellation’s satellites 23 to 26, built by OHB System. Arianespace has now deployed a total of 26 satellites for the constellation.
Two additional missions, to orbit four more satellites, already have been assigned to the A62 version of the new Ariane 6 launcher.
Supporting Europe’s ambitious space goals
Arianespace guarantees independent access to space for Europe through its complete family of launch vehicles. Working for flagship programs by the European Commission and ESA, Arianespace already has deployed all Galileo satellites launched to date, and carried out four missions for Europe’s vast Earth observation program, Copernicus.
Following the success of this latest Galileo mission from the Guiana Space Center, witnessed by key players in the European space community, Arianespace will carry out three more missions for European institutions in 2018. Two emblematic missions are coming up for ESA: the August 21 Vega launch of a wind study satellite called Aeolus; and then on October 18, an Ariane 5 launch of the BepiColombo spacecraft to explore the planet Mercury (in partnership with the Japanese space agency JAXA). A Soyuz medium launcher will then loft EUMETSAT’s meteorological satellite, MetOp-C.
Following the European Commission’s announcement of an ambitious space budget proposal for the coming decade, and the ESA Council’s confirmation in June of funding for the transition period between Ariane 5 and Ariane 6, Arianespace confirms the availability of its future launchers – Ariane 6 and Vega C – to carry out governmental missions for the European Commission, ESA, EUMETSAT and European countries.
After the announcement of the successful launch, Frédérique Vidal, French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation said: “Ariane’s latest success demonstrates the world-class capabilities of the European space sector. I would like to congratulate all of the partners involved in the Ariane 5 and Galileo programs, both incredible achievements of European space policy: CNES, ESA, the European Commission, Arianespace, ArianeGroup and all of the European manufacturers. This latest success and the rapid development of Galileo uses shows that the European space sector can do more than hold its own, as it plays a pioneering role in the development of space technology.”
Stéphane Israël, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace, emphasized: “With this fourth launch of the year, and the third with Ariane 5, Arianespace has proudly accomplished its 10th mission for the Galileo program. Today’s mission brings the number of satellites launched by Arianespace for this European constellation to 26 since 2011. I would like to thank the European Commission, and in particular DG GROW, as well as the European Space Agency, for their continued trust. More than ever, Arianespace confirms its assigned mission of guaranteeing independent and reliable access to space for Europe. We are especially pleased that the next two Galileo missions have already been assigned to the A62 version of our new Ariane 6 launch vehicle. Furthermore, we are honored to have had, alongside ESA’s Director General, the President of DLR Group and the presidents of CNES and ASI, the highest political authorities in charge of space, attend this launch. I would like to thank Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska, the French Minister Frédérique Vidal and the Spanish Minister Pedro Duque for experiencing this achievement with us at Europe’s Spaceport.” Thanks also to French Minister Sébastien Lecornu for his presence: the environment is at the heart of our activities and preoccupations.
“Congratulations to our partners who made the success of this mission possible: OHB System, prime contractor for the four satellites aboard Ariane 5; ArianeGroup, as well as all Ariane industry manufacturers; ESA and the Ariane program’s member states; CNES/CSG, our industrial ground segment companies, and all employees at the base.
Of course, congratulations to everyone at Arianespace for this latest success, the penultimate step before the 100th launch of Ariane 5, slated for September 5.”
Galileo FOC-M8 satellites 23, 24, 25 and 26
The Galileo FOC-M8 23, 24, 25 and 26 satellites were built by OHB System AG in Bremen; with the payloads supplied by the UK-based SSTL (Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd), 99% owned by Airbus Defence and Space. The satellites’ average mass was 716 kg. each, with the combined payload lift performance for the mission of 3,284 kg. – which included the 418.5-kg. payload dispenser.
These satellites were placed into a circular medium Earth orbit (MEO) in Plane B at an altitude of 29,600 km. and an inclination of 56.31°.
http://www.arianespace.com/press-release/arianespace-orbits-four-more-galileo-satellites-as-ariane-5-logs-its-99th-mission/
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Frederique Vidal.
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Jan Woerner.
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Carlos Des Dorides.
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Marco Fuchs.
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Final words from Stéphane Israël.
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Next missions include the following:
August 21st will be Vega carrying Aeolus.
September 5th will be Ariane 5 carrying Azerspace 2/Intelsat 38 and Horizons 3e.
October 18th will be Ariane 5 carrying BepiColombo.
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Webcast is beginning to close out.
Thanks a bunch for joining me for today's coverage of the Galileo-FOC F8 mission. Good afternoon.
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English webcast, starting just after SECO-1. Don't let the thumbnail mislead you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU3KTfS26E4
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French webcast, starting just after SECO-1. Again, the thumbnail depicts a previous mission.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLqpctdHwcI
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lift-off image in hi-res without you know what...
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3 more
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25. July 2018
Press Release
Four in one go: OHB Galileo satellites successfully launched
July 25, 2018, Kourou / Bremen. Lift-off for Tara, Samuel, Anna and Ellen: Today at 13.25 hours (CET) the final four Galileo FOC* satellites from Batch 2 commenced their voyage into space on board an Ariane 5 launcher which lifted off from the Kourou space center in French-Guyana. OHB employees across Europe watched the launch via live stream, crossing their fingers for a successful flight. The satellites reached their destination just under four hours later at 17.25 hours (CET) and are now orbiting the earth. “These were the four last Galileo satellites from Batch 2 and both the launch and the release of the satellites into their orbits went off without a hitch. Immediately after being released into orbit, the satellites activated their systems, unfolded their solar panels and aligned themselves towards the sun. This was immediately followed by preliminary testing,” says Dr. Manuel Czech, Galileo project manager at OHB. The satellites will now enter a test phase lasting around six months. For the first eleven days, they will be managed by the control center of the French space agency CNES in Toulouse before being handed over to the Galileo control center in Oberpfaffenhofen.
This brings to 26 the total number of Galileo satellites currently in space. Of these, 22 have been developed, built and tested by OHB.
Thanks to the number of satellites in space, initial services are available since December 2016. Recent smartphones receive the open navigation service for the general public. Public regulated service, which serves institutional users such as government authorities, the police or the fire brigade, and the search and rescue service, which enables accurate and reliable identification of emergency signals are also available demonstrating the outstanding precision that the system is achieving. Once it is fully up and running, the system will provide maximum precision and reliability.
Moreover, Europe will be gaining additional independence thanks to its own navigation system. “We are proud to be making a decisive contribution to this with our navigation satellites,” says Dr. Manuel Czech.
As far as OHB is concerned, work on Galileo will continue without any interruption as the next launch is just around the corner. “Our colleagues are already working on Batch 3, with the first launch scheduled for 2020. Thereafter, two additional satellites will follow about every three months until all the twelve Batch 3 satellites are ready for launch,” says Dr. Wolfgang Paetsch, a member of the Management Board of OHB System AG. Planning for Batch 4 has also already commenced. “At the moment, we are in the bidding phase and the requirements of the European Space Agency have been released. With the new generation, we will be attempting to improve signal and service quality, optimize costs and increase safety,” adds Dr. Wolfgang Paetsch.
* The Full Operational Capability phase of the Galileo programme is managed and fully funded by the European Union. The European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a delegation agreement by which ESA acts as design and procurement agent on behalf of the Commission. The views expressed here can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union and/or ESA. Galileo is a trademark of the EU.
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26 Galileo satellites now in orbit for improved EU satellite navigation signal
Published on: 25/07/2018
Today four more Galileo satellites were successfully launched from the European spaceport in French Guiana on the European launcher Ariane-5. With a constellation of now 26 satellites, the EU's global satellite navigation system will provide a more precise signal across a range of valuable services.
Galileo provides positioning and timing services to around 400 million users since December 2016. Today's launch brings the constellation close to completion in 2020, which is when Galileo will reach full operational capability. With a then record precision of 20cm, Galileo will be the most precise satellite navigation system in the world.
Space may be far away but its technology, data and services have become indispensable in our daily lives, be it in rescue searches, connected cars, smart watches, farming or plane navigation. The European space industry is strong and competitive, creating jobs and business opportunities for entrepreneurs. For the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the Commission has just proposed bringing all existing and new space activities under the umbrella of one single €16 billion 'EU Space Programme'.
Vice-President of the Commission Maroš Šefčovič said: "Another milestone towards full operational capability of Galileo in 2020! Space is becoming a new economic frontier, as it is vitally linked to a growing number of sectors and driving their profound modernisation. In fact, 10% of the EU's GDP is dependent on space-related services. We therefore need to strive for Europe's global leadership and strategic autonomy."
Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, who led the European Commission delegation to Kourou (French Guiana), said: “We can be very proud of our successful space activities. Europe has become a true space power. From the start of the mandate I had clear goals: develop the infrastructure on time and on budget, deliver first services and ensure rapid market uptake. Today we can say – we made it. But work and investment will go on under the new EU Space Programme."
Galileo currently provides three types of satellite navigation based services:
•Galileo Open Service: a free service for positioning, navigation and timing. The timing service is increasingly robust, accurate and fast (in order of nanoseconds) compared to other location systems. It enables the eCall system, which is mandatory in all new cars in the EU since 31 March 2018, to communicate the vehicle's location to emergency services.
•Galileo's Search and Rescue (SAR) Service: localisation of distress signals from an enabled beacon. With the start of Galileo initial services in December 2016 the time to detect a person lost at sea or in the mountains was reduced from up to 4 hours to about 10 minutes after a distress beacon is activated. The accuracy of the localisation has improved from 10 km without Galileo to less than 2 km with Galileo. Additionally, from next year the service will send back a signal informing the person in danger that the distress signal has been picked up and localised.
•Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS): an encrypted service designed for public authorities for security sensitive use, for instance military operations. PRS aims at ensuring service continuity, even in the most adverse environment. It offers a particularly robust and fully encrypted service for government users during national emergencies or crisis situations, such as terrorist attacks.
Anyone with a Galileo enabled device is able to use its signals for positioning, navigation and timing. Galileo services are based on highly accurate signals, but during the current initial phase they are not available all the time and therefore are used in combination with other satellite navigation systems such as GPS. Every addition to the constellation gradually improves Galileo availability and performance worldwide. Once the constellation reaches 30 satellites in 2020, Galileo will be fully operational and independent, meaning that a position could be established autonomously everywhere and anytime using Galileo satellites only.
Background
All Galileo satellites are named after the children whose drawings were selected as winning pictures in the Galileo Drawing Competition in 2011. The 4 satellites launched on 25 July are named after Tara from Slovenia, Samuel from Slovakia, Anna from Finland and Ellen from Sweden.
Galileo is a civilian system under civilian control, which provides accurate positioning and timing information. Galileo aims to ensure Europe's independence from other satellite navigation systems and its strategic autonomy in satellite navigation. Europe's autonomy in this sector will boost the European job market, help the EU step up its role as a security and defence provider, and support emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, drones, automated mobility and the Internet of the Things.
Other EU space activities include Copernicus (free and open Earth observation data of land, atmosphere, sea, climate change and for emergency management and security), EGNOS (regional satellite navigation system) and Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST).
For the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the Commission has proposed a €16bn EU Space Prpgramme covering all existing and new space activities including maintaining the EU's autonomous access to space, supporting space start-ups, and developing new security components such as Space and Situational Awareness (SSA) and Governmental Satellite Communication (GOVSATCOM).
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CNES Twitter linked to a nice video of the launch without any voice over/music, just the pure rumble of the engines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbr6a8ajQUU
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https://youtu.be/543djqHVkd4 (https://youtu.be/543djqHVkd4)
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Some Extra from CNES