On a great day for the European space sector, the European Space Agency and the European Commission, the first heavy-lift Ariane 5 ES launched four satellites for the Galileo constellation on Thursday 17 November. Galileo is Europe’s global satellite navigation system.
With the combined weight of the four satellites, Ariane 5 ES placed a total payload of 2,865 kg into orbit. Some 18 of the European programme’s satellites have been put into orbit by Arianespace. Galileo is due to begin initial service by the end of the year (see EUROPE 11659).
Two further Ariane 5 launches for Galileo are scheduled in the course of the next two years. Ultimately, Galileo will comprise 24 operational satellites.
Alongside the European Earth observation programme Copernicus, Galileo is central to the space strategy for Europe, presented by the European Commission last month (see EUROPE 11655). One of the major challenges will be to ensure that mobile phones are compatible with the programme (see EUROPE 11665). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)