SpaceX F9 : Galileo L12 : KSC LC-39A : 27/28 April 2024 (00:34 UTC)

[ZachS09]

https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1784423443787599878

I guess this confirms my theory about there being two M-Vac burns to insert the Galileo satellites into MEO.

[GWR64]

So now there are 3 objects
screenshot Celestrak

[PM3]

...

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?

[jacqmans]

Two new satellites join the Galileo constellation
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

[jpo234]

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:

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.

[Perchlorate]

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:

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.

Somewhat understandable; mildly petty.  <shrug>

[gbl]

Two new satellites join the Galileo constellation
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

It appears the quoted article has been updated, it now reads:

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.

[Targeteer]

https://twitter.com/mickeywzx/status/1784954534923747538

[jpo234]

It appears the quoted article has been updated, it now reads:

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.

Huh. This is what I see as of 2024-04-29T17:44:15Z:

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.

Curious.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Rik ISS-fan]

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.
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)
Edit to add: Also F9-088/ 1060.1. thanks for pointing out nzguy

[mandrewa]

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.
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)

That's a good answer.  Your concern is mainly that the Falcon 9 second stage has a larger mass (maybe 10x more) than a kick stage.  I'm not sure that's all that profound a difference.  But I understand your logic.

[nzguy]

Very interesting that this F9 booster also launched a GPS satellite. Only booster to have launched satellites for two different GNSS constellations?

[realnouns]

Bob returned to PC on Apr 30 @ 10:41pm ET

[GWR64]

...

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?

Yes, you guessed it right, no names.
This is a drawing competition for children!
Can't we just leave politics out of it?

https://www.gsc-europa.eu/system-service-status/orbital-and-technical-parameters

[GWR64]

with clover leaf, cute 
https://twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/1787124544924258495