Brussels, 21/08/2014 (Agence Europe) - The planned launch of two Galileo satellites for 21 August has been postponed due to unfavourable weather conditions, according to a statement from the European Commission released today (see EUROPE 11136).
This involves two new satellites that are expected to be added to a group of four others that are already in orbit and aims to bring the European Galileo radio navigation programme online. Their launch was cancelled due to poor weather conditions at the Kourou station in French Guiana. Arianespace is responsible for the launch of these satellites and stated that a launch date would be arranged depending on the weather conditions.
Nonetheless, the day was not entirely wasted for the European space programme because the European Commission announced the signing of a €500 million contract with Arianespace to provide three Ariane-5 launchers. Currently, launches are being carried out with the Russian Soyuz rocket launchers. According to the Commissioner for Industry, Ferdinando Nelli Feroci, new launchers exclusively manufactured in Europe are an important step“towards the independence of the European Union's space sector”. One of these launchers will already be used in 2015, and will put into orbit four satellites at once, as opposed to two, which is currently the case. Thirty satellites are expected to be put into orbit by the end of the decade. (MD)