Brussels, 09/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has received initial information on the failed launch into orbit of the two Galileo satellites on 22 August last.
On Monday 8 September, the independent investigation committee bringing together experts from Arianespace, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission released its first intermediate report.
This report contains somewhat summary information simply, according to our sources, “confirming the need to continue the investigations”. The enquiry will therefore continue in order to work out where the error occurred and prevent a similar situation happening again. The consolidated report is expected to be published at the end of the month.
One crucial question is whether the satellites can ultimately be used in the European radio navigation programme, Galileo, despite their incorrect positioning (cost of the satellites and launch: €140 million). It is also important to find out the exact causes of the failure, which appear to come from the Russian Soyuz launcher. Further Galileo satellite launches into orbit with this kind of launcher are planned over the next few months. (MD)