ESA orders four more second-generation Galileo satellites

The European Space Agency has ordered four more second-generation Galileo satellites, taking the planned fleet of the upgraded spacecraft to 16. The additional satellites are due for delivery in 2031 and are expected to launch soon afterwards, extending Europe’s satellite-navigation programme beyond its first planned wave of upgrades.

ESA signed contracts with Thales Alenia Space in Rome on 23 October and Airbus Defence and Space in Ottobrunn, Germany, on 26 October. The companies were already contracted to build six second-generation satellites each; the new agreements add two for each manufacturer.

The first 12 satellites are in development and qualification, with system integration and compatibility testing under way. ESA says the first are due to enter integration and flight testing in 2027, ahead of the first launch in 2028. The new four will be identical to those already being developed.

The second-generation spacecraft are designed with digital navigation payloads, an improved navigation antenna, links between satellites and an updated atomic-clock configuration. ESA says the upgrades are intended to provide more robust and reliable positioning, navigation and timing, while supporting new services.

Galileo’s next-generation signal-generation module has already passed its first tests, in a step towards integration of the first flight model. The European Commission manages and funds the Galileo programme; ESA leads the design, development and qualification of its space and ground systems, and placed the contracts on behalf of the EU Agency for the Space Programme.