Category Archives: Galileo Space Segment

Galileo Space Segment

Galileo satellite performs collision avoidance manoeuvre

Under the management of the European GNSS Agency (GSA), a collision avoidance manoeuvre for satellite GSAT0219 was performed during the first weekend of March. This manoeuvre was conducted following a collision risk alert received from EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (EUSST).

First collision avoidance manoeuvre in the Galileo constellation

First collision avoidance manoeuvre in the Galileo constellation

On 25 February, the Galileo Service Operator (GSOp) received from the EUSST a collision risk alert between GSAT0219 and an inert Ariane 4 upper stage launched in 1989. Following this warning, GSOp started to closely monitor the risk, in close cooperation with EUSST that was refining its predictions. Read more…

Airbus and Thales win second-generation Galileo satellite contracts

On 20 January the Commission awarded two contracts for 12 Satellites (6 satellites each) for a total of EUR €1.47 billion, to ThalesAleniaSpace (Italy) and Airbus Defence & Space (Germany) following an open competition.

Airbus and Thales win second-generation Galileo satellite contracts

Airbus and Thales win second-generation Galileo satellite contracts

With this, the Commission is initiating the launch of the 2nd Generation of Galileo Read more…

Galileo next-generation satellites on the horizon

With 26 satellites now in orbit and over 1.5 billion smartphones and devices worldwide receiving highly accurate navigation signals, Europe’s Galileo navigation system will soon become even better, ensuring quality services over the next decades.

Paul Verhoef, ESA Director of Navigation

Paul Verhoef, ESA Director of Navigation

Following the European Commission’s decision to accelerate development of Galileo Next Generation, ESA has asked European satellite manufacturers to submit bids for the first batch of the Galileo Second Generation (G2) satellites. The new spacecraft are expected to be launched in about four years. Read more…

Galileo set to growth with global system upgrade

Having completed all necessary qualification testing, ESA has received the green light to upgrade the global infrastructure running Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system. The resulting migration, which started in February 2019, will incorporate new elements into the world-spanning system and boost the robustness of Galileo services delivered from the 26 satellites in orbit.

Galileo-model-at-the-Oberpfaffenhofen-Control-Centre -in -Germany

Galileo model at the Oberpfaffenhofen Control Centre in Germany

Authorisation for this upgrade – formally known as Galileo System Build 1.5.1 – has been given by the Galileo Security Accreditation Board, made up of European Union Member States. Read more…

Four new Galileos join Europe’s largest constellation

The latest four Galileo satellites have been given the green light to begin working alongside the rest of Europe’s satellite navigation fleet, giving a further boost to worldwide Galileo service quality.

Galileo's global ground segment

Galileo’s global ground segment

Galileo has grown to become Europe’s single largest satellite constellation, built up over 10 launches over the course of this decade. The first of seven double-satellite Soyuz launches took place in 2011, with three sets of four-satellite Ariane-5 launches during the last three years. Read more…

OHB awarded contract to build 4 additional Galileo satellites

Galileo’s navigation system is continuing to make strides toward a satellite constellation designed to gradually improve the system’s performance and availability worldwide.

Galileo FOC Satellilte Fit-check

Galileo FOC Satellilte Fit-check

Last month, the European Commission (EC) announced it had exercised one of its contractual options for the European Galileo navigation system and ordered four additional satellites from OHB System AG. Read more…