Galileo satellite

The European Space Agency (ESA) has taken delivery of a Galileo navigation satellite from Thales Alenia Space at its spaceport in French Guiana, marking the next phase of preparations for a launch in October.

Onboard an Antonov 124-100 aircraft, the satellite was accompanied by a four-person team from Thales, as well as a representative from both Astrium and ESA.

The delivery also includes the specialised test and support equipment required during the launch preparations of Galileo.

Scheduled to be launched a Soyuz ST-B vehicle, both the third and fourth Galileo in-orbit validation (IOV) satellites will join the already launched two Galileo satellites last year, within the medium-Earth orbit at 23,222km.

The launch will mark a significant step in Europe’s programme following the completion of the deployment of required infrastructure for the IOV phase; the launch will allow for debut of a computation of on-ground position exclusively based on Galileo satellites.

Required to attain ‘full operational capability’, the IOV phase is being followed by the installation of additional satellites and ground segment, which will further allow for provision of services.

The initial 22 of the final operational capability satellites are being built by Germany-based OHB and UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology, which are responsible for the platforms and final satellite integration and payloads production respectively.

A consortium led by EADS Astrium, Germany is responsible for developing the initial four Galileo IOV satellites, with Astrium manufacturing the platforms and Astrium UK responsible for production of payloads.

Image: An artistic representation of the Galileo IOV satellite. Photo: courtesy of ESA.