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\t\t\t\t\t\t17\/12\/2025
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On 17 December, two Galileo satellites lifted off from Europe\u2019s Spaceport in French Guiana aboard an Ariane 6 rocket. This marked the 14th launch for Europe\u2019s Galileo constellation, reinforcing Europe\u2019s satellite navigation capabilities, resilience and autonomy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The satellites, designated SAT 33 and SAT 34, were launched at 06:01 CET and separated from the launcher after a flight of just under four hours.\u00a0At 10:51 CET, the launch was declared successful, after acquisition of signal, and the confirmation that both satellites are healthy with their solar arrays deployed.<\/p>\n
Now undergoing early operations and in-orbit testing, the satellites will join the Galileo constellation in medium Earth orbit, at approximately 23 222 km. In about three months, with the addition of the new satellites, the Galileo constellation will have 29 active satellites, ensuring even greater coverage and reliability.<\/p>\n
\t\t\tGalileo L14 liftoff on Ariane 6
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Since entering service in 2016, the Galileo programme has continued to advance, introducing new capabilities to make it one of the most comprehensive satellite navigation systems of the world. Among these, the High Accuracy Service, operational since 2023, provides dedicated receivers with horizontal accuracy down to 20 cm and vertical accuracy of 40 cm.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s launch adds extra satellites to an already robust constellation, further strengthening the system\u2019s ability to guarantee 24\/7 navigation services for billions of users worldwide.<\/p>\n
This marks Galileo\u2019s first launch on the Ariane 6 rocket and the fifth launch of Europe\u2019s heavy-lift launcher. Two additional launches are planned for the near future, each carrying two Galileo first generation satellites.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tArtist’s view of Galileo SAT 33 and 34 on their Ariane 6 launcher moments after fairing release.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe year 2025 marks three decades of European navigation programmes and the successful launch of two new Galileo satellites is another proud and well-earned moment in that legacy. I am extremely proud of ESA\u2019s role in carrying out the launch with Arianespace and for its leadership in the procurement and preparation of the satellites on behalf of the European Commission. Galileo stands as the world\u2019s most accurate global navigation satellite system \u2013 and today we have increased its reliability and robustness. Its successful launch aboard Ariane 6 from Europe\u2019s Spaceport in Kourou reaffirms not only Europe\u2019s ambition, but also its industrial capability to design, build, launch and operate critical space infrastructure autonomously. Today, Europe is more resilient than it was yesterday, and I salute all the engineers, scientists and support staff that have made this success possible,\u201d said Josef Aschbacher, ESA\u2019s Director General.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tGalileo launch 14 satellites placed on Ariane 6 rocket<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI would like to congratulate the entire team for this flawless launch, which marks 20 years of cooperation with Arianespace since the launch of GIOVE-A, the demonstrator satellite of Galileo. Today\u2019s launch reflects the outstanding partnership with the European Commission and EUSPA, as well as our industry partners OHB and Arianespace, to make it possible to deliver the best navigation satellites for our citizens, economy and security. We are two launches away from completing Galileo\u2019s first-generation fleet, a milestone that closes one chapter and opens another,\u201d adds Francisco-Javier Benedicto Ruiz, ESA\u2019s Director of Navigation.<\/p>\n \u201cSoon, we will be adding Galileo Second Generation satellites which will deliver even more robust and reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services. They will integrate seamlessly with the current fleet to form Europe\u2019s largest satellite constellation and provide essential services worldwide\u201d.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tGalileo launch 14 liftoff<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAriane 6 in its two-booster configuration was designed with Galileo in mind, and we now look forward to two more Galileo first-generation launches\u201d said ESA\u2019s director of Space Transportation, Toni Tolker-Nielsen.<\/p>\n \u201cThis mission marks a remarkable close to 2025 for Europe: the fifth Ariane 6 launch overall and the first to deliver two large satellites in a single flight. It builds on Ariane\u2019s proud legacy with Galileo \u2013 Ariane 5 placed twelve satellites in orbit across three missions \u2013 and now Ariane 6 firmly establishes itself as the reference launcher for Galileo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tGalileo launch 14 timeline on Ariane 6<\/a><\/p>\n \tAbout Galileo<\/p>\n