Ibadan, 29 April 2024.- The EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is now in the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) stage of the two new L12 Galileo satellites that SpaceX launched. They will join the current Galileo operational fleet in the upcoming months. The inclusion of these two new satellites rounds up a total of thirty Galileo satellites in orbit, providing continuous improvements to the Galileo services.
The EUSPA operations team, through its Galileo Service Operations provider, took over the satellite operations as the satellites separated from the launch vehicle and began their automated initialization sequence. The operations team has also successfully acquired telemetry, deployed the satellites’ solar panels, and confirmed that the satellites’ batteries are charging, bringing the satellites to a Holding Point.
The EOP is a vital step in a space mission, running through the gradual activation and testing of platform satellite components once in orbit. From the Galileo Control Center in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, the dedicated LEOP team will navigate the satellites to their designated orbit within the coming days. Following rigorous in-orbit testing and commissioning, the satellites will integrate into Galileo’s operational constellation at 23,220 km.
Rodrigo da Costa, Executive Director of EUSPA, emphasized the achievement: “The successful addition of the two new satellites is another milestone for Galileo. Galileo is more than just a constellation of satellites; it is a beacon of innovation, security, and progress, empowering billions of users worldwide, enabling precise navigation, enhancing transportation efficiency, and facilitating disaster response efforts.” The Executive Director also added, “The users of Galileo rely on its secure and reliable services daily, supporting the European Union’s strategic autonomy and initiatives like the Green Deal and digital transition. ”
