Successful Galileo launch

News & Press: Space

05 December 2021 (0 Comments)

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Galileo satellites 27/28 were launched on 5 December from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

This was the 11th operational Galileo launch over 10 years, with the current Initial Services having been declared in 2016.

The Soyuz launcher lifted off after a 2-day delay at 0019 UTC on 5 December, and the Fregat upper stage released the 715 kg satellites into their target orbits of ~23,525 km altitude 3h 54m later. Now the Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP) will involve inboard thrusters positioning the craft for some weeks whilst onboard systems are checked out for operational use.

These satellites are the first pair of the remaining 12 Galileo first-generation satellites, which are an improved version of the existing Full Operational Capability (FOC) design. Each is manufactured and tested by OHB in Germany, with the navigation payloads designed and built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) in UK.

Further details from ESA