Galileo is the European Union's Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), managed by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) with design and development by the European Space Agency (ESA). It provides highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning services under civilian control with improved positioning and timing information. Galileo offers various services, including an Open Service (OS) for mass-market use, a Search and Rescue (SAR) function, a High Accuracy Service (HAS), and a Public Regulated Service (PRS) for authorized users.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
The Fugro AtomiChron®-enabled SecureTime service provides authentication on all GNSS satellite constellations beyond Galileo OSNMA.
Second Generation (G2) Galileo satellites are expected to start joining the constellation in 2026 with the Ariane 6 launcher.
Thirty-eight Galileo satellites have been developed and tested by ESA and European industry for the EU’s Galileo programme since its conception.
The European Galileo navigation system has two more satellites in orbit following their launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9.
Galileo G2 satellites will use electric propulsion and host a more powerful navigation antenna, improved atomic clocks, and fully digital payloads.
ESA, as Galileo’s design authority and system development prime, is working with European industry to develop the G2 satellites.
Europe experienced a 'launcher crisis' temporarily depriving it of the means to launch Galileo or other large satellites on its own.
The European Union Agency for the Space Programme manages Galileo.
The two Galileo satellites were successfully injected into orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida.
Two more Galileo satellites are scheduled to launch later this year on a Falcon 9.
The EU switched to Falcon 9 for launching the Galileo satellites due to the retirement of the Ariane 5 and the loss of the Soyuz rocket.
The European Space Agency and European Commission launched the latest two Galileo navigation satellites on April 28.
Each of the second-generation Galileo satellites will weigh about 2,000 kg and be equipped with electrical propulsion.
Electric power thrusters are used to bring the Galileo satellites to their desired medium Earth orbit altitude after the launcher releases them at a nominal altitude of 6000 km.
Beyond Gravity’s site in Vienna, Austria produces control electronics for the antenna mechanisms on the six Galileo satellites built by Thales Alenia Space to establish direct communication between the satellites.
Beyond Gravity supplies solar array drive mechanisms to Airbus that point the Galileo satellites’ solar arrays to provide the payload, especially the atomic clocks, with required electric power.
Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space) supplies thermal insulation, mechanisms, and structures to the next generation of European Galileo navigation satellites.
Beyond Gravity supplies products to both Airbus and Thales Alenia Space for the Galileo Second Generation satellite program.
Beyond Gravity will supply the structure and thermal insulation for all six Galileo Second Generation satellites built by Airbus.
Beyond Gravity’s site in Austria is supplying a total of 12 gimballing mechanisms for the electric thrusters on the six Galileo Second Generation satellites built by Thales Alenia Space.