Planned launches:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)
2021Early - Galileo-FOC FM23, Galileo-FOC FM24 - Soyuz ST-B/Fregat-MT - Kourou ELS
H1 -OneWeb (x30) (TBD)Galileo-FOC FM23, Galileo-FOC FM24 - Ariane 62 (FM1) [inaugural flight] - Kourou ELA-4
Changes on June 3rd
Cross-post:QuoteEurope's #Ariane6 heavy-lift rocket's debut slips to late 2021; Covid-19 is only part of the reason.
https://bit.ly/3csCd52
https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/1268566155737862146
How do we know that a Galileo pair will take the premier flight? Would this still be true as the premier flight is delayed to late 2021?
I suggest a change in the topic title as it is not known that the First Ariane 6 will be a 6.2 (it was a 6.4 some time ago)Considering recent developments I’d of thought you couldn’t discount it still being a payload for One Web.
Also the the payload is not confirmed and most likely not FM25/26
I suggest a change in the topic title as it is not known that the First Ariane 6 will be a 6.2 (it was a 6.4 some time ago)
Also the the payload is not confirmed and most likely not FM25/26
I think this has gone the other way round. A Galileo Ariane 62 flight has been planned for a while. With the OneWeb bankruptcy, the original Ariane 6 maiden flight (Ariane 64 with OneWeb) is now uncertain and the first A6 flight could be this one.
I suggest a change in the topic title as it is not known that the First Ariane 6 will be a 6.2 (it was a 6.4 some time ago)
Also the the payload is not confirmed and most likely not FM25/26
I think this has gone the other way round. A Galileo Ariane 62 flight has been planned for a while. With the OneWeb bankruptcy, the original Ariane 6 maiden flight (Ariane 64 with OneWeb) is now uncertain and the first A6 flight could be this one.
https://ria.ru/20210314/galileo-1601117286.html
Google translate:QuoteMOSCOW, March 14 - RIA Novosti. The launch of two European navigation satellites Galileo is planned to be launched in the first quarter of 2022 with the Russian Soyuz-ST launch vehicle instead of the European Ariane 6, a source in the rocket and space industry told RIA Novosti.
In September 2017, a contract was signed to launch four Galileo vehicles with two Ariane 6 launch vehicles between late 2020 and mid 2021. The treaty provided for the use of Soyuz missiles as a fallback. Later, due to the delay in the first launch of the Ariane 6, which is now slated for the second quarter of 2022, one of the two Galileo launches has been postponed to Soyuz and is currently slated for September 2021.
"The second launch of two Galileo satellites from the Guiana Space Center (Kouru Cosmodrome - Ed.) Has now also been transferred from the Ariane 6 rocket to Soyuz-ST and is planned, tentatively, in March 2022," the source said.
Soyuz ST-B/Fregat-MT's are presently reserved (reserved with RKTs Progress as build as needed) as the backup launcher for Galileo through this 2023 flight:
TBD - Galileo-FOC FM29, Galileo-FOC FM30 - Ariane 62 - Kourou ELA-4
https://insidegnss.com/galileo-update-esas-paul-verhoef-outlines-top-priorities/ [June 22]QuoteAfter the November/December launch, Verhoef said, “We will do two more launches relatively quickly, one after the other, at intervals of about six or seven months. At that point we will have six new satellites in orbit. That’s two extra in every orbital plane. And then the remaining three launches, six more satellites, will come after that, to complete the batch-three series.”
According to current plans, if the new Ariane 6 is ready, the big launcher will take the last six satellites into orbit. “There will be an Ariane 6 maiden flight, and then we will be its first normal ‘paying’ customer, so to speak,” Verhoef said.
https://ria.ru/20210815/sputniki-1745780989.html
Google translate:Quote"To the two launches of Soyuz from the Kourou cosmodrome, two Galileo spacecraft in each, planned respectively in November 2021 and April 2022, another launch of two Galileos on Soyuz in September 2022 is added," the source said.
According to him, this is due to the fact that the Ariane 6 rocket, which was planned to be used to launch Galileo satellites, will fly no earlier than the end of next year.
Per Russians working on this launch it’s slipping to February 20 (https://forum.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/index.php?msg=2311954) (making it F14), on the other hand F15 also from Kourou will move up to March.
But the Soyuz VS28 launch is for Galileo.
https://www.ohb.de/en/news/2021/partying-until-dawn-ohb-celebrates-successful-liftoff-for-galileo-satellitesQuoteThe FM 25 & 26 satellites are already in the starting blocks and are scheduled for launching between March and April. [dated Dec 5]
The Russian source does not specify the payloads as I understand it.
Galileo was planned for April, this launch will be brought forward a bit, according to the source at Novkos.
OHB on October 8
https://www.ohb.de/en/news/2021/here-we-go-again-next-launch-for-ohb-galileo-satellitesQuoteThe next launch is just around the corner
FM 23&24 will be probably launched at the end of the year. And the next satellites are already in the starting blocks: FM 25&26 have since completed their acceptance review, thus demonstrating their functionality. Now they are awaiting their journey to Kourou, which will presumably be in April 2022.
Now OHB write March to April, a little more cautiously than the NovKos source.
SFN Launch Schedule (https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/) has been updated (bolds mine):QuoteLate March | Soyuz • Galileo 29 & 30
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ELS, Sinnamary, French Guiana
An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designed VS28, will launch on a mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz will carry two Galileo full operational capability satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation constellation. The Soyuz-2.1b (Soyuz ST-B) rocket will use a Fregat upper stage. [Dec. 14]
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
Update January 28QuoteApril 5/6 • Soyuz • Galileo 29 & 30
Launch time: 0031:51 GMT on 6th (8:31:51 p.m. EDT on 5th)
Launch site: ELS, Sinnamary, French Guiana
https://www.dlr.de/rd/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-4926/8178_read-47362/QuoteDer nächste Flug einer Sojus ist zum folgenden Termin geplant:
Nr Version Flug Startdatum Nutzlast(en) Bemerkung
28 Sojus STB VS28 6. April 2022 Galileo FOC FM25 · FM26
Angaben ohne Gewähr, Änderungen jederzeit möglich. Aktualisiert: 11. Februar 2022
Roscosmos is now declaring that all Soyuz launches from CSG will be suspended as a result of EU sanctions and all Russian engineers working there will be retreated.
https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1497456827881172994?s=20&t=hNJUOdOVTNPJLzyINUUfBA
https://www.wsj.com/tech/spacex-signs-deal-to-launch-key-european-satellites-c3b5fc7c
SpaceX Signs Deal to Launch Key European Satellites:
The Elon Musk-led company is set to blast as many as four of Europe’s flagship Galileo satellites into orbit next year amid delays for rival local rockets
Hello,
This is what I saw on the French Challenges magazine. If this is not suitable for a separate thread (I really wondered where to post it), I'll ask mods to place it somewhere else.
Link:
https://www.challenges.fr/entreprise/ariane-6-le-coup-de-poignard-de-l-allemand-ohb-qui-pousse-spacex_805619
Apparently OHB wants the Galileo satellites to be launched with SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets instead of Ariane 6. This is quite surprising as OHB is a minority shareholder in Arianespace.
Unfortunately, most of the article is behind a paywall. Still the basic message is clear: OHB wants Brussels to buy three Falcon 9 launches which would put 2 Galileo satellites per launch. The idea is to send the satellites to space in short term.
SpaceX Signs Deal to Launch Key European Satellites (https://www.wsj.com/tech/spacex-signs-deal-to-launch-key-european-satellites-c3b5fc7c)QuotePARIS—SpaceX has signed a deal to launch up to four of Europe’s flagship navigation satellites into orbit, reinforcing the Elon Musk-led company’s growing foothold in the region as local rivals struggle to get rockets off the ground.
QuoteWith $398M from @defis_eu, @esa now fully integrated into #iris2 secure-comms constellation & development by #SpaceRise consortium; contracts to launch 4 @GalileoGNSS sats on 2 @SpaceX Falcon 9s in 2024 signed.
https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/1709849456932229147
2343-EX-ST-2023 (https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=129730&RequestTimeout=1000)QuoteThis STA is intended to cover pre-launch testing for a commercial payload on Missions Galileo L12 and L13. Tests involve RF shielding ground system equipment attenuation stand-alone check at the SpaceX Payload Processing Facility at CCSFS. This STA is not for flight.NET late February
USN seeks authority to support Tracking operations for the Galileo L12 spacecrafts (GSAT0225 & GSAT0227) scheduled for launch on April 1st 2024
QuoteUSN seeks authority to support Tracking operations for the Galileo L12 spacecrafts (GSAT0225 & GSAT0227) scheduled for launch on April 1st 2024
Another FCC filing for LEOP support
SES-STA-20231222-02564 (https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ib/forms/reports/swr031b.hts?q_set=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number/%3D/SESSTA2023122202564&prepare=&column=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number)
RAAN: ~123.68 deg. , fits approximately to orbit plane C
...
Universal Space Network Amendment to SES-STA-20231222-02564 Galileo L12 spacecraft
SSC Space US (dba Universal Space Network) requests an update to the above-captioned file no for
Galileo L12 spacecraft. We respectfully request the STA mission duration to be changed from 30
days to 60 days and start date to change from April 1st to April 22nd 2024 to support LEOP
operations.
Universal Space Network Amendment to SES-STA-20231222-02564 Galileo L12 spacecraft LEOP Support
SSC Space US (dba Universal Space Network) requests an update to the above-captioned file no.
for Galileo L12 spacecraft. We respectfully request the STA mission duration to be changed again
from 60 days to 30 days and Use Prior to Grant / Requested User Prior Date of April 14th 2024.
Start date remains same April 22nd 2024.
We apologize for the inconvenience! The reason for this amendment is client's need of longer User
Prior Date. The 2nd reason is recent delays in STA grants, a 60-days STA grant could cause more
delay than a 30-days one.
ESA is still working on finalizing the launch contract with SpaceX. In the ESA press conference on Thursday last week, they said "this decision is expected to come very soon". From past reports on this topic, my impression was that the export license for the satellites is the main issue.
April 2024 is NOT a schedule, but the aspired launch month as of December 2023.
Proposal for ahttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52024PC0086
COUNCIL DECISION
on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the United States of America, of the other part, setting forth Security Procedures for the Launch of Galileo satellites from U.S. territory
...
The European Union on Tuesday signed off on the terms of a security deal with the United States that will allow it to pay Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch its satellites.
...
The security deal is due to be formally signed with the U.S. next week and the plan is to ship the Galileo satellites, each weighing roughly 700 kilograms, to the U.S. on March 27, one diplomat said.
The first launch of two satellites would then take place in the second half of April with the second launch scheduled for July, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton previously told POLITICO.
...
To assuage fears from some countries — notably France — that it could become commonplace to launch satellites using SpaceX rather than Ariane, the security pact will expire in 2027.
<snip>QuoteThe European Union on Tuesday signed off on the terms of a security deal with the United States that will allow it to pay Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch its satellites.
<snip>
To assuage fears from some countries — notably France — that it could become commonplace to launch satellites using SpaceX rather than Ariane, the security pact will expire in 2027.
Although I can’t post much, I’m here to say that being able to see the VAB from your hotel room and an F9 launch from only ~2.5 km away is rather special and I feel incredibly lucky I get to do all this.
EU agrees US deal to launch satellites with Elon Musk’s SpaceX (https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-signs-security-deal-us-launch-satellite-spacex-elon-musk/)
[Mar 19]QuoteThe European Union on Tuesday signed off on the terms of a security deal with the United States that will allow it to pay Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch its satellites.
...
The security deal is due to be formally signed with the U.S. next week and the plan is to ship the Galileo satellites, each weighing roughly 700 kilograms, to the U.S. on March 27, one diplomat said.
The first launch of two satellites would then take place in the second half of April with the second launch scheduled for July, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton previously told POLITICO.
...
To assuage fears from some countries — notably France — that it could become commonplace to launch satellites using SpaceX rather than Ariane, the security pact will expire in 2027.
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 5 around 2:15-6:15 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the Bandwagon-1 rideshare mission on April 7 at 7:17 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch two Galileo navigation system satellites for Europe on late April.
Another FCC filing for LEOP support
SES-STA-20231222-02564 (https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ib/forms/reports/swr031b.hts?q_set=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number/%3D/SESSTA2023122202564&prepare=&column=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number)
RAAN: ~123.68 deg. , fits approximately to orbit plane C
...
Special Temporary Authority
1 of 2
Applicant: Universal Space Network, Inc.
Call Sign: N/A
File No.: SES-STA-20231222-02564
Universal Space Network, Inc. (“USN”), is granted a 30-day special temporary authority (STA),
commencing April 14, 2024, through May 13, 2024, to operate two antennas at its fixed earth station
located at geographical coordinates 19° 0’ 50.3” N, 155° 39’ 46.6” W in Naalehu, HI to provide launch
and early orbit phase (LEOP) support of the Galileo L12 satellites (GSAT0225 and GSAT0227),
operated by the European Space Agency (ESA). Operations will be performed at the following
frequencies: 2040.399075 MHz and 2051.703225 MHz with an emission bandwidth of 2.6 MHz
(Earth-to-space) and 2215.818000 MHz and 2228.094000 MHz with an emission bandwidth of 3 MHz
(space-to-Earth) under the following conditions:
...
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 12 very earliest at 9:22 p.m. to 12:48 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on April 17 at 5:24-9:24 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch two Galileo navigation system satellites for Europe on late April. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.
Or the first Galileo launch on F9 as I've yet to see any permits with the droneship located along a northeast launch trajectory.0463-EX-ST-2024 (https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=132551&RequestTimeout=1000) Mission 2017Mission number is quite high...GSAT-20/GSAT-N2 going to a higher orbit?
Expendable from Florida, NET April [16]
Another F9 (either 1060 or 1061) will fly for the 20th time next week.
https://twitter.com/edwards345/status/1779004912720081170QuoteMay there be many boosters hitting 20 or 30 or 50, with an unbroken success streak. Kudos to the team!QuoteAnother one next week!
Cross-post; third option is expendable:If so that is a bargain for ESA 90 mil for expendable+ the extra red tape it brings
Navigation dual satellite (GSAT0225 & GSAT0227) in the European constellation Galileo.
Galileo is the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) that went live in 2016, created by the
European Union (EU) through the European Union Agency for Space Programme (EUSPA),
headquartered in Prague in the Czech Republic with two ground operations centers,
Oberpfaffenhofen (DLR GfR) in Germany and Fucino in Italy. DLR GfR mbH is a core team
member of the Galileo Service Operator (GSOp), operating and managing the constellation of
the Galileo satellites from the Galileo Control Center in Oberpfaffenhofen (GCC-D).
GfR has been selected, for taking over the preparation and execution of LEOP operations from
launch. Galileo L12 launch is planned for April 28th 2024. GfR has contracted the German Space
Operation Center (GSOC) to provide Network Operation Center (NOC) service, including
Ground Station Network (GSN).
Planned LEOP support from SSC is for a period of 30 days with start on May 14th, 2024.
Today’s PSA is brought to you by the public numbers: 2017, 1060, 39, 25 and 27 😇
Nooooo an expendable F9, nooooooo, I can not accept this injustice.wait how do we know that? because its B1060?
Nooooo an expendable F9, nooooooo, I can not accept this injustice.wait how do we know that? because its B1060?
QuoteToday’s PSA is brought to you by the public numbers: 2017, 1060, 39, 25 and 27 😇
0463-EX-ST-2024 (https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=132551&RequestTimeout=1000) Mission 2017
Expendable from Florida, NET April
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 18 at 6:40-10:40 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch on April 22 at 6:40-10:40 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch two Galileo navigation system satellites for Europe on April 28. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.
One week until launch and neither ESA nor EUSPA/EU make any report about it.Might it be simple matter of discomfiture over the launcher churn for these satellites?
All the information here are been gathered from various good sources (one of them on site). thanks :)
But what's the problem to making an official announcement? What is secret?
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 23 at 6:15-10:15 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 26 around 7-11 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch two Galileo navigation system satellites for Europe from pad 39A on April 27. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.
Another FCC filing for LEOP support
SES-STA-20231222-02564 (https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ib/forms/reports/swr031b.hts?q_set=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number/%3D/SESSTA2023122202564&prepare=&column=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number)
RAAN: ~123.68 deg. , fits approximately to orbit plane C
edit: permanent filing number
Launch Roundup: SpaceX to land its 300th booster, NASA tests a solar sail, and China launches three more taikonauts (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/04/launch-roundup-042224/)
April 22, 2024
[...]
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Galileo FOC FM25 & FM 27
In the wake of Starlink Group 6-53 delivering SpaceX’s 300th booster landing earlier this week, this mission will not be attempting a landing and will instead be expending booster B1060 on its 20th and final flight.
[...]
Upcoming launches, including one where SpaceX is set to achieve the 300th landing of a Falcon 9 booster.
By Martin Smith.
230922Z APR 24
NAVAREA IV 458/24(11,12).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
280029Z TO 280111Z APR, ALTERNATE
290025Z TO 290107Z, 300021Z TO 300103Z APR,
010017Z TO 010059Z, 020013Z TO 020055Z,
030009Z TO 030051Z AND 040005Z TO 040047Z MAY
IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 28-38.28N 080-37.17W, 28-43.00N 080-32.00W,
28-56.00N 080-19.00W, 28-59.00N 080-14.00W,
28-55.00N 080-11.00W, 28-50.00N 080-14.00W,
28-40.00N 080-21.00W, 28-35.00N 080-25.00W,
28-31.26N 080-33.41W.
B. 33-11.00N 076-37.00W, 35-47.00N 074-25.00W,
36-18.00N 073-15.00W, 36-06.00N 072-53.00W,
34-55.00N 073-04.00W, 32-50.00N 076-08.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 040147Z MAY 24.//
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 23 at 6:17-9:25 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch two Galileo navigation system satellites for Europe from pad 39A on April 27 around 8:29-9:11 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 28 at 5:50-9:50 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch two Galileo navigation system satellites for Europe from pad 39A on April 27 around 8:30 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 28 at 5:50-9:50 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches.
EROP X2141 FALCON 9, KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL
PRIMARY: 04/28/24 0029-0111Z
BACKUP: 04/29/24 0025-0107Z
04/30/24 0021-0103Z
05/01/24 0017-0059Z
05/02/24 0013-0055Z
05/03/24 0009-0051Z
05/04/24 0005-0047Z
So that means that FM25 and FM27 will be aboard rather then FM25 & FM26?
Having supported Starlink 6-53, launching to the southeast, SpaceX recovery ship Bob appears to be heading northeast to recover the fairing for the upcoming Galileo mission.
The booster is expected to be expended.
One week until launch and neither ESA nor EUSPA/EU make any report about it.Might it be simple matter of discomfiture over the launcher churn for these satellites?
All the information here are been gathered from various good sources (one of them on site). thanks :)
But what's the problem to making an official announcement? What is secret?
...
Also, what are the official nicknames for the satellites? Is Patrick still official for FM25? And what about FM27?
SpaceX is targeting Saturday, April 27 at 8:34 p.m. ET for a Falcon 9 launch of the European Commission’s Galileo L12 mission to medium Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. If needed, there is a backup opportunity on Sunday, April 28 at 8:30 p.m. ET.B1060-20 to be expended, as we previously learned.
A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about 10 minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.
Due to the additional performance required to deliver the payload to medium Earth orbit, this mission marks the 20th and final launch for this Falcon 9 first stage booster, which previously launched GPS III-3, Turksat 5A, Transporter-2, Intelsat G-33/G-34, Transporter-6, Intuitive Machines IM-1, and 13 Starlink missions.
Timeline on https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=galileol12
stops at fairing deployment - wtf? This is not a secret mission!
Timeline on https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=galileol12
stops at fairing deployment - wtf? This is not a secret mission!
Yes, now SpaceX is starting to do it too! :(
I'm interested, are there 2 or 3 upper stage ignitions?
with 2 ignitions is a little shorter,
with 3 ignitions the contact with ground stations may be better? and the satellites can be released over the northern hemisphere
they need 3 ignitions because it is going to MEO direct so one to bring it to leo 1 to bring to MTO and one to circularize at MEOTimeline on https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=galileol12
stops at fairing deployment - wtf? This is not a secret mission!
Yes, now SpaceX is starting to do it too! :(
I'm interested, are there 2 or 3 upper stage ignitions?
with 2 ignitions is a little shorter,
with 3 ignitions the contact with ground stations may be better? and the satellites can be released over the northern hemisphere
https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/galileo-foc.htm
Running this mission through Orbiter 2016, I did a double M-Vac burn profile with the first burn inserting the Galileo satellites into a transfer orbit of 200 by 23,616 kilometers inclined 56 degrees. That's assuming the targeted orbital altitude is 23,616 kilometers.
Then, the second burn to circularize the orbit occurs at around T+3 hours, 34 minutes (in this case, it'll be 04:08 UTC on April 28th). That's followed by payload separation five minutes later over the Indian Ocean (southern hemisphere).
...
Now, I understand it's said that three burns may be utilized. But I thought the above-mentioned profile would make sense.
https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/galileo-foc.htm
Running this mission through Orbiter 2016, I did a double M-Vac burn profile with the first burn inserting the Galileo satellites into a transfer orbit of 200 by 23,522 kilometers inclined 56 degrees. That's assuming the operational orbit is at 23,616 kilometers inclined 56 degrees.
Then, the second burn to circularize the orbit occurs at around T+3 hours, 33 minutes (in this case, it'll be 04:07 UTC on April 28th). That's followed by payload separation five minutes later over the Indian Ocean (southern hemisphere).
...
Now, I understand it's said that three burns may be utilized. But I thought the above-mentioned profile would make sense.
3 hours likely would need the long endurance mission kit (grey interstage)
Perhaps 3 burns makes that not needed?
Running this mission through Orbiter 2016, I did a double M-Vac burn profile with the first burn inserting the Galileo satellites into a transfer orbit of 200 by 23,522 kilometers inclined 56 degrees. That's assuming the targeted orbital altitude is 23,522 kilometers.going direcly into a 23522 km by 200km orbit from stage seperation in 1 burn is super inefficient and wastes a lot of delta v! I don't know if they even have the performance for that! even o3b which goes into a ~2500 by 8000km orbit has 3 burns! there is no way this has 2
Then, the second burn to circularize the orbit occurs at around T+3 hours, 34 minutes (in this case, it'll be 04:08 UTC on April 28th). That's followed by payload separation five minutes later over the Indian Ocean (southern hemisphere).
...
Now, I understand it's said that three burns may be utilized. But I thought the above-mentioned profile would make sense.
https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/galileo-foc.htmGoing directly into a 23,522 by 200 km orbit from stage separation in one burn is super inefficient and wastes a lot of delta v! I don't know if they even have the performance for that! Even O3b, which goes into a ~2,500 by 8,000 km orbit, has three burns! There is no way this has two.
Running this mission through Orbiter 2016, I did a double M-Vac burn profile with the first burn inserting the Galileo satellites into a transfer orbit of 200 by 23,522 kilometers inclined 56 degrees. That's assuming the operational orbit is at 23,616 kilometers inclined 56 degrees.
Then, the second burn to circularize the orbit occurs at around T+3 hours, 33 minutes (in this case, it'll be 04:07 UTC on April 28th). That's followed by payload separation five minutes later over the Indian Ocean (southern hemisphere).
...
Now, I understand it's said that three burns may be utilized. But I thought the above-mentioned profile would make sense.
NGA Rocket Launching notice.
This is, apparently, a total of less than 1.5 tonnes of separable payload going to, or near, 23,616 km x 56 deg while expending the first stage. For comparison, Falcon 9 lifted 4.35 tonne GPS to 392 x 20,163 km x 55 deg while recovering the first stage downrange. Perhaps the payload adapter that holds these two satellites adds enough additional mass to preclude recovery, but it seems a close call to me. Second stage disposal after spacecraft separation is part of the equation as well I suppose.
- Ed Kyle
Falcon 9 rolled out to LC-39A early this morning ahead of the Galileo FOC FM25 & FM27 mission. Launch is currently scheduled for tonight at 8:34 PM ET (00:34 UTC Sunday) aboard B1060, which will be expended.
Watch live views of 39A on @NASASpaceflight Space Coast Live
nsf.live/starbase
This is, apparently, a total of less than 1.5 tonnes of separable payload going to, or near, 23,616 km x 56 deg while expending the first stage. For comparison, Falcon 9 lifted 4.35 tonne GPS to 392 x 20,163 km x 55 deg while recovering the first stage downrange. Perhaps the payload adapter that holds these two satellites adds enough additional mass to preclude recovery, but it seems a close call to me. Second stage disposal after spacecraft separation is part of the equation as well I suppose.
- Ed Kyle
Second stage disposal after spacecraft separation is part of the equation as well I suppose.
- Ed Kyle
Targeting two Falcon 9 launches from Florida this weekend → http://spacex.com/launches
Up first, Falcon 9 will launch the European Commission’s Galileo L12 mission on Saturday from pad 39A.
Then on Sunday, a Falcon 9 launch of 23
@Starlink satellites from pad 40.
This is, apparently, a total of less than 1.5 tonnes of separable payload going to, or near, 23,616 km x 56 deg while expending the first stage. For comparison, Falcon 9 lifted 4.35 tonne GPS to 392 x 20,163 km x 55 deg while recovering the first stage downrange. Perhaps the payload adapter that holds these two satellites adds enough additional mass to preclude recovery, but it seems a close call to me. Second stage disposal after spacecraft separation is part of the equation as well I suppose.
- Ed Kyle
Speaking of payload adapters, I sifted through the Arianespace press kits relating to the Soyuz Galileo missions and saw the adapter mass ranges between 150 to 180 kg.
Given a Galileo satellite weighs 733 kg, total payload mass is between 1,616 and 1,646 kg.
Second stage disposal after spacecraft separation is part of the equation as well I suppose.
- Ed Kyle
I doubt that we will see a disposal in the ocean. Perhaps a two burn raising of the orbit to get it 200 kilometers or so above the operational Galileo orbit. Element sets may be available after launch and if so will provide that answer.
This is, apparently, a total of less than 1.5 tonnes of separable payload going to, or near, 23,616 km x 56 deg while expending the first stage. For comparison, Falcon 9 lifted 4.35 tonne GPS to 392 x 20,163 km x 55 deg while recovering the first stage downrange. Perhaps the payload adapter that holds these two satellites adds enough additional mass to preclude recovery, but it seems a close call to me. Second stage disposal after spacecraft separation is part of the equation as well I suppose.
- Ed Kyle
Speaking of payload adapters, I sifted through the Arianespace press kits relating to the Soyuz Galileo missions and saw the adapter mass ranges between 150 to 180 kg.
Given a Galileo satellite weighs 733 kg, total payload mass is between 1,616 and 1,646 kg.
That's for a Soyuz dispenser, not an F9 one...
This is, apparently, a total of less than 1.5 tonnes of separable payload going to, or near, 23,616 km x 56 deg while expending the first stage. For comparison, Falcon 9 lifted 4.35 tonne GPS to 392 x 20,163 km x 55 deg while recovering the first stage downrange. Perhaps the payload adapter that holds these two satellites adds enough additional mass to preclude recovery, but it seems a close call to me. Second stage disposal after spacecraft separation is part of the equation as well I suppose.This seems consistent with the published performance. I figured roughly like this. Starting from a 200 km parking orbit, you need 2180 m/s to get to an apogee of 23200 km. Then you need 1468 m/s to circularize. Finally there is about a 200 m/s penalty for the 56 degree orbit. So overall this is equivalent to a due-east LEO from the Cape + 3848 m/s. This works out to a C3 of 14. (Circular GEO is about C3=24, so it's consistent at least.)
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
LAUNCH! SpaceX Falcon 9 B1060-20's final launch, carrying the European Galileo FOC FM25 & FM27 satellites.
Overview: https://nasaspaceflight.com/2024/04/launch-roundup-042224/
NSF Livestream: https://youtube.com/watch?v=zb8eVJhIp_U
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Staging 1-2.
Farewell, B1060, and we thank you.
SpaceX
@SpaceX
Fairing separation confirmed. This marks the 200th mission to use flight-proven fairings!
5:38 PM · Apr 27, 2024
SpaceX
@SpaceX
Due to the additional performance required to deliver the payload to medium Earth orbit, this mission marks the 20th and final launch for this Falcon 9 first stage booster
5:39 PM · Apr 27, 2024
SpaceX
@SpaceX
The last time a first stage was expended during a Falcon 9 mission was 146 flights ago in November 2022. On most Falcon 9 missions, enough propellant remains in the first stage after stage separation to enable landing, recovery, and ultimately reuse on future missions
5:39 PM · Apr 27, 2024
SpaceX
@SpaceX
We’re working toward qualifying our fleet of Falcon boosters and fairings to support 40 missions each. Increasing Falcon's flight count provides valuable information on repeated reuse, a critical element for making life multiplanetary with Starship
5:40 PM · Apr 27, 2024
The last time a first stage was expended during a Falcon 9 mission was 146 flights ago in November 2022. On most Falcon 9 missions, enough propellant remains in the first stage after stage separation to enable landing, recovery, and ultimately reuse on future missions
SpaceX
@SpaceX
We’re working toward qualifying our fleet of Falcon boosters and fairings to support 40 missions each. Increasing Falcon's flight count provides valuable information on repeated reuse, a critical element for making life multiplanetary with Starship
5:40 PM · Apr 27, 2024
The end of the webcast had some nice animation/stats
430 reused fairing so far
Thats pretty impressive $6 million a set, $1.3 billion saved (minus refurb/recovery costs)
From the front yard, we got a hole in the clouds and a beautiful view... one that unfortunately we don't get much anymore now that all the Starlink launches go southeast :(
Someone with some video editing MAY be able to catch fairing sep off the reflection on the glass wall in mission control, you could see something happening reflecting off the monitors
Credit my wife for noting it
Falcon 9 launches from LC-39A in Florida
🛰28 April: the EU launched 2 new Galileo satellites!
Earlier this morning, the Galileo satellites were ejected from the launcher's upper stage & reached the Holding Point. They are currently managed by #EUSPA as part of the Launch & Early Orbit Phase (LEOP).
What happens now?
Over the following days, the EUSPA Launch & Early Orbit Phase team will be manoeuvring the satellites from the dedicated #Galileo Control Center in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany until they are placed into their home orbit at 23 220 km.
Galileo LEOP operations will constitute one of the most cooperative activities between numerous European entities in the #EUSpace sector, including EUSPA, @spaceopal, @DLR_en, German Space Operations Center, @telespazio and @esa.
Galileo: financed by the EU, developed by ESA, services delivered by EUSPA. This is #EUSpace!
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1784381829388333385QuoteSpaceX
@SpaceX
Due to the additional performance required to deliver the payload to medium Earth orbit, this mission marks the 20th and final launch for this Falcon 9 first stage booster
5:39 PM · Apr 27, 2024
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1784381903954698245QuoteSpaceX
@SpaceX
The last time a first stage was expended during a Falcon 9 mission was 146 flights ago in November 2022. On most Falcon 9 missions, enough propellant remains in the first stage after stage separation to enable landing, recovery, and ultimately reuse on future missions
5:39 PM · Apr 27, 2024
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1784382036096242138QuoteSpaceX
@SpaceX
We’re working toward qualifying our fleet of Falcon boosters and fairings to support 40 missions each. Increasing Falcon's flight count provides valuable information on repeated reuse, a critical element for making life multiplanetary with Starship
5:40 PM · Apr 27, 2024
But, hopefully you do agree that this is not the correct method to perform launches like this.
The F9 second stage for this launch was directly added to the catalog of permanent items of space debris, in MEO. The most dangerous items of space debris are the Zenit-2 second stages in SSO orbit, but those will decay in a couple hundred years. The F9 second stages from the Galileo launches will not decay over time.
There was a lot of outrage about the Long March 5B launches that left the CZ-5-500 core stage into leo for uncontrolled reentry. I think these Galileo launches also deserve objection.
I think this launch should have used a kick-stage (3th stage) to circularize the orbit from the ~200x23000 56deg parking orbit. This kick stage would become the item of space debris, and the F9 second stage could reenter after a reentry burn.
Now my questions is; does a launch like this allow the booster to be recovered?
And could this even allow 4 instead of 2 Galileo Gen1 satellites to be launch on a launch (1,5mT => 3mT payload mass to MEO)
This launch could be performed with a stand (long nozzle Mvac) upper-stage instead of the long coasting version. Possibly even the stubby Mvac could suffice.
But, hopefully you do agree that this is not the correct method to perform launches like this.
The F9 second stage for this launch was directly added to the catalog of permanent items of space debris, in MEO. The most dangerous items of space debris are the Zenit-2 second stages in SSO orbit, but those will decay in a couple hundred years. The F9 second stages from the Galileo launches will not decay over time.
There was a lot of outrage about the Long March 5B launches that left the CZ-5-500 core stage into leo for uncontrolled reentry. I think these Galileo launches also deserve objection.
I think this launch should have used a kick-stage (3th stage) to circularize the orbit from the ~200x23000 56deg parking orbit. This kick stage would become the item of space debris, and the F9 second stage could reenter after a reentry burn.
Now my questions is; does a launch like this allow the booster to be recovered?
And could this even allow 4 instead of 2 Galileo Gen1 satellites to be launch on a launch (1,5mT => 3mT payload mass to MEO)
This launch could be performed with a stand (long nozzle Mvac) upper-stage instead of the long coasting version. Possibly even the stubby Mvac could suffice.
From what I gather, the usage of expendable 1st stage was exactly because of additional power needed to lower the stage's orbit perigee for disposal after the mission, if not de-orbiting straight from MEO (less likely since I didn't find an air/marine space closure notice for this). If not I thought they can recover the booster via ASDS.
We will see where this ends up on USSF's data later.
The end of the webcast had some nice animation/stats
430 reused fairing so far
Thats pretty impressive $6 million a set, $1.3 billion saved (minus refurb/recovery costs)
I think this launch should have used a kick-stage (3th stage) to circularize the orbit from the ~200x23000 56deg parking orbit. This kick stage would become the item of space debris, and the F9 second stage could reenter after a reentry burn.
There should be plenty of margin with F9 expendable. A crude estimate goes like this. They can skip 20 seconds of 3-engine entry burn, and 30 seconds of 1-engine landing burn. That's 90 engine-seconds, so 10 more seconds of 9-engine thrust. Acceleration at burnout is about 3Gs, so that's about 300 m/s. So now instead of LEO+3848, you need LEO+3548. That's about a C3 of 7. This in turn gives a payload of slightly over 2500 kg. Could potentially even be enough for 3 GPS satellites, but maybe a 3-satellite adapter is too heavy, or 3 satellites don't fit in the fairing.This mission staged at 9998 km/hr, where the last StarLink mission staged at 7951 km/hr. That's a difference of 571 m/s. A lot of this, though, was due to the lighter rocket. The payload was about 2 tonnes instead of 17, and there were no landing legs or grid fins (maybe 4? tonnes). That alone is enough to increase the first stage delta-V by about 222 m/s. The rest (about 349 m/s) is due to using the fuel normally saved for landing, and presumably better aerodynamics (no idea how much this contributes).
https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1784423443787599878
...
Also, what are the official nicknames for the satellites? Is Patrick still official for FM25? And what about FM27?
FM23 was Patrick and, according to my logic, still is.
https://www.ohb.de/en/news/2019/first-galileo-batch-3-payload-patrick-reached-ohb
Patrick Galvin is the winner for United Kingdom in the 2011 Drawing Competition. So long before Brexit.
The last one, because U is way back in the alphabet. Order by country name in local language, I believe.
Only then will the winners of the 2019 competition come: Nikolina (Croatia), Shriya (Norway) and Julina (Switzerland)
Someone at EUSPA has a different logic (at the bottom of the page) and has pushed Patrick back or even removed him.
https://www.gsc-europa.eu/system-service-status/orbital-and-technical-parameters
So launch 11 was the first without nickname on satellite label, because nobody understands it.
picture https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43751.msg2314253#msg2314253
and https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43751.msg2318282#msg2318282
The European Galileo navigation system has two more satellites in orbit following their launch in the early morning of Sunday, 28 April, at 01:34 BST/02:34 CEST.The unmentionables: SpaceX, Falcon 9 and the Cape.
Europe’s largest satellite constellation has grown even bigger, following the launch of two more Galileo navigation satellites by Soyuz launcher from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 5 December. (https://www.esa.int/Applications/Satellite_navigation/Two_new_satellites_mark_further_enlargement_of_Galileo)
The European Galileo navigation system has two more satellites in orbit following their launch in the early morning of Sunday, 28 April, at 01:34 BST/02:34 CEST.The unmentionables: SpaceX, Falcon 9 and the Cape.
For comparison the report of the previous launch from 2021:QuoteEurope’s largest satellite constellation has grown even bigger, following the launch of two more Galileo navigation satellites by Soyuz launcher from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 5 December. (https://www.esa.int/Applications/Satellite_navigation/Two_new_satellites_mark_further_enlargement_of_Galileo)
Two new satellites join the Galileo constellationIt appears the quoted article has been updated, it now reads:
29/04/2024
The European Galileo navigation system has two more satellites in orbit following their launch in the early morning of Sunday, 28 April, at 01:34 BST/02:34 CEST. With 30 satellites now in orbit, Galileo is expanding its constellation, increasing the reliability, robustness and, ultimately, the precision, benefiting billions of users worldwide.
Already the most precise satellite navigation system in the world and the largest European constellation of satellites, Galileo has been operational since 2016, when Initial Services were declared. Galileo is making a difference across the fields of rail, maritime, agriculture, financial timing services and rescue operations.
Many strategic sectors depend on it: already 10% of the EU's yearly GDP relies on satellite navigation and this is set to increase. From finding our way, to supporting Search and Rescue activities and providing ultra-precise timestamps for all kinds of institutional and commercial applications, Galileo is integral to our everyday lives.
Since the conception of Galileo, 38 Galileo satellites have been developed and tested by ESA and European industry for the EU’s Galileo programme. Of these, four In-Orbit-Validation and 26 Full Operation Capability satellites have been placed in orbit with 12 launches.
This launch is taking place only a few days after the new Public Regulated Service (PRS) signals started to be broadcasted. This encrypted navigation service is specifically designed for authorised governmental users and sensitive applications, contributing to increase Europe’s autonomy and resilience in the critical domain of satellite navigation.
The eight remaining Galileo First Generation satellites are ready to be launched soon, after which a Second Generation (G2) of satellites will start joining the constellation, expected in 2026 with the Ariane 6 launcher. ESA, as Galileo's design authority and system development prime, is working with European industry to develop the G2 satellites that will revolutionise the fleet with enhanced capabilities. G2 satellites will use electric propulsion and host a more powerful navigation antenna, more and even better atomic clocks and fully digital payloads.
https://www.esa.int/Applications/Satellite_navigation/Two_new_satellites_join_the_Galileo_constellation2
The European Galileo navigation system has two more satellites in orbit following their launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 in the early morning of Sunday, 28 April, at 01:34 BST/02:34 CEST. With 30 satellites now in orbit, Galileo is expanding its constellation, increasing the reliability, robustness and, ultimately, the precision, benefiting billions of users worldwide.
It appears the quoted article has been updated, it now reads:QuoteThe European Galileo navigation system has two more satellites in orbit following their launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 in the early morning of Sunday, 28 April, at 01:34 BST/02:34 CEST. With 30 satellites now in orbit, Galileo is expanding its constellation, increasing the reliability, robustness and, ultimately, the precision, benefiting billions of users worldwide.
The European Galileo navigation system has two more satellites in orbit following their launch in the early morning of Sunday, 28 April, at 01:34 BST/02:34 CEST. With 30 satellites now in orbit, Galileo is expanding its constellation, increasing the reliability, robustness and, ultimately, the precision, benefiting billions of users worldwide.
Soyuz-ST launches with 2x Galileo satellites left the Fregat 4th (kick) stage in a MEO graveyard orbit.I think this launch should have used a kick-stage (3th stage) to circularize the orbit from the ~200x23000 56deg parking orbit. This kick stage would become the item of space debris, and the F9 second stage could reenter after a reentry burn.
Why is a kick stage in parking orbit better than a F9 second stage in orbit?
Also will Ariane 6 leave a kick-stage in a parking orbit when it deploys future Galileo satellites?
And what would the Soyuz-ST have left behind if it had been used?
Soyuz-ST launches with 2x Galileo satellites left the Fregat 4th (kick) stage in a MEO graveyard orbit.I think this launch should have used a kick-stage (3th stage) to circularize the orbit from the ~200x23000 56deg parking orbit. This kick stage would become the item of space debris, and the F9 second stage could reenter after a reentry burn.
Why is a kick stage in parking orbit better than a F9 second stage in orbit?
Also will Ariane 6 leave a kick-stage in a parking orbit when it deploys future Galileo satellites?
And what would the Soyuz-ST have left behind if it had been used?
Ariane 5 ES launches with 4x Galileo satellites left the EPS L10 upper stage un the MEO graveyard orbit.
I hope the plan with Ariane 6 is to utilize the Ariane 62 with Astris kick-stage. Otherwise most likely the Ariane 64 is required. The ULPM or the Artris kick-stage remain in the MEO graveyard orbit.
With the Falcon 9 the upperstage remains in the graveyard orbit.
I think that when a ~1mT weighing (>75% propellent mass) kick stage was used the first stage could have landed while two satellites were launched.
what is the advantage of a kick stage over a upper stage into the parking orbit. I estimate an order of magnitude less mass. Instead of the ~4mT Falcon 9 upperstage (empty mass) [or Ariane 6 ULPM] a 0.4mT kick stage.
The Falcon 9 second stage empty mass made this launch so hard.
A downside is the smaller size making it harder to track.
SpaceX has a remarkable record in minimizing orbital debris with there Falcon 9 operations. This is one of the very few bad examples. Possibly the long coasting Falcon 9 upperstage also includes a more elaborate stage passivation system.
On this very specific launch requirement, Soyuz-2/ST outperforms Falcon 9 in terms of payload mass capability. The addition of a 3th (kick) stage possibly triples the payload capability of Falcon 9 to high MEO orbits.
For the second generation of Galileo GNSS satellites, EU/ESA plan to utilize larger 2mT weighing satellites. And if I'm not mistaken, they aim for the continuation of launching two satellites each launch.
The GPS III satelites utilize onboard propellent to get the satellites from the MEO transfer orbit (MTO, similar to GTO) nto the MEO orbit. Those satellites have a mass of >4mT. (F9-197/ 1077.2)
...
Also, what are the official nicknames for the satellites? Is Patrick still official for FM25? And what about FM27?
FM23 was Patrick and, according to my logic, still is.
https://www.ohb.de/en/news/2019/first-galileo-batch-3-payload-patrick-reached-ohb
Patrick Galvin is the winner for United Kingdom in the 2011 Drawing Competition. So long before Brexit.
The last one, because U is way back in the alphabet. Order by country name in local language, I believe.
Only then will the winners of the 2019 competition come: Nikolina (Croatia), Shriya (Norway) and Julina (Switzerland)
Someone at EUSPA has a different logic (at the bottom of the page) and has pushed Patrick back or even removed him.
https://www.gsc-europa.eu/system-service-status/orbital-and-technical-parameters
So launch 11 was the first without nickname on satellite label, because nobody understands it.
picture https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43751.msg2314253#msg2314253
and https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43751.msg2318282#msg2318282
GSAT0223 was the first Galileo satellite launched after Brexit. It should have gotten the British name Patrick, but ... well. The mood here in continental Europe was pretty bad then regaring the UK, so a British name for a new EU satellite obviously would have been a political issue. The naming then was deferred until comissioning, 6 month after launch, which indicates an ongoing discussion, until the final decision to dump Patrick the Briton.
And again, GSAT0225 and GSAT0227 have not been named before launch, which means that this naming issue still looms. Are we still mad about Brexit and need a new name, or are we ready to welcome back the UK in space?