Category Archives: Galileo Space Segment

Galileo Space Segment

Galileo FOC satellites launch failure conclusions

On Aug. 22 the first two Galileo FOC satellites launched by Soyuz-STB Fregat-MT rocket were placed into the wrong orbit (https://galileognss.eu/galileo-foc-fm1-and-fm2-status-update/). European government officials said that the hydrazine fuel line was installed too close to a supercold helium line on the Fregat upper stage.

The installation caused the hydrazine to freeze long enough to upset the Fregat stage’s orientation and cause the two satellites’ release into an orbit that is both too low and in the wrong inclination, officials said. Read more…

Leave a reply

Galileo-FOC FM1 and FM2 status update

Doresa and Milena, the fifth and sixth Galileo satellites, have been in a safe state since 28 August, fully under control from ESA’s centre in Darmstadt, Germany, despite having been released on 22 August into lower and elliptical orbits instead of the expected circular orbits.

The potential of exploiting the satellites to maximum advantage, despite their unplanned injection orbits and within the limited propulsion capabilities, is being investigated. Read more…

Leave a reply

Galileo launch 21-August and LEOP

The next pair of Galileo satellites are due to be launched together on a Soyuz rocket from French Guiana on 21 August, advancing the deployment of Europe’s own satellite navigation constellation.

Following launch, the most crucial point in the flight comes when the two satellites separate from their upper stage and the Launch and Early Operations (LEOP) phase begins, run from ESA’s Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany. Read more…

Leave a reply

Third Galileo FOC satellite arrives at ESTEC

Latest Galileo navigation satellite has arrived at ESA’s Technical Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands for testing. Meanwhile the previous two satellites are ready to be launched together by Soyuz rocket this summer from the European spaceport in Kourou (French Guiana).

The new satellite travelled safely by lorry enclosed within an air-conditioned and environmentally controlled container from manufacturer OHB in Bremen (Germany). The container was unsealed only once the satellite had completed its journey by road to the cleanroom conditions in ESTEC, Europe’s largest site for spacecraft testing. Read more…

Leave a reply

Galileo satellite departure to Europe’s Spaceport

The departure of the Galileo satellites from ESA’s test centre in the Netherlands  took place on 5 May. Here is a picture of that moment. After several months of testing, this latest full-capability Galileo navigation satellite left along with its twin.

Galileo satellite departure from ESTEC

Galileo satellite departure from ESTEC

Both satellites were loaded aboard trucks to be driven to Frankfurt Airport in Germany. From there, they were flown to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana the following evening where they will be launched together by a Soyuz later this summer. Read more…

Leave a reply

Next Galileo satellites arrive at Europe’s Spaceport

Europe’s two latest Galileo navigation satellites touched down on 7-May at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, ready for their joint launch this summer.

Galileo satellites unloaded from the Boeing 747

Galileo satellites unloaded from the Boeing 747

Packed safely within protective and environmentally controlled containers, the satellites were carried across the Atlantic aboard a Boeing 747 cargo carrier. Read more…

Leave a reply