Arianespace announced at the 17th European Space Conference the signature of the launch contract with the European Commission and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) to orbit the first pair of second-generation satellites (L17) of the Galileo navigation constellation on board an Ariane 6. Both satellites, weighing between 2,200 kg and 2,400 kg each, and equipped with electrical propulsion, once launched will reach the Galileo constellation’s operational orbit at an altitude of 23,222 km after a few months. With this signature, the European Commission and the EUSPA are formalizing the launch contract of L17 entrusted to Arianespace in April 2024.

Prior to this launch, three launches (L14, L15 and L16) are already scheduled on board an Ariane 6 for Europe’s ultra-high performance Galileo satellite navigation system. Each of these three launches will carry a pair of satellites that will complete the first-generation of the Galileo navigation constellation.

David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, commented: “This signature with the European Commission and EUSPA reaffirms Arianespace’s commitment to guaranteeing sovereign access to space for Europe. We are extremely proud to contribute to the flagship Galileo global navigation satellite system, providing high-precision positionings and services to European governments, institutions, and citizens.” David Cavaillolès added: “This is the fourth launch booked on Ariane 6 for Galileo and the first for the second-generation Galileo satellites. I thank our partners for their continued trust in Arianespace: a long-standing commitment we have together towards the Galileo programme, reinforcing both Ariane 6 and Europe’s space autonomy.”

Rodrigo da Costa, EUSPA Executive Director, said: “This launch contract is a key milestone for Galileo’s second generation, enhancing precision and reliability for users worldwide. EUSPA is proud to support the European Union’s space autonomy and deliver innovative services to citizens globally.” The first twelve second Generation satellites are currently in the full production phase, led by ESA and built in parallel by Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space respectively.

As the first joint infrastructure produced, financed and owned by the European Union, the European Commission has overall responsibility for the Galileo programme. ESA will act as Launch Technical Authority for the customer in interface with Arianespace. The Galileo programme contains innovative technologies developed by Europe for the entire world. Galileo’s design, development and qualification, and the system’s evolution, along with the technical development of its infrastructure, are entrusted to ESA. The European Commission has delegated the operational management of the Galileo programme to the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), which is responsible for the deployment, maintenance and evolutions of the Galileo system in operation, and the direct management of the activities entrusted to ESA. EUSPA also ensures that Galileo services are delivered with the defined performance and without interruption.

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