Officials at the European Space Agency (ESA) announce that the organization will launch its first two navigation satellites on October 20, 2011. The event will mark the beginning of Galileo assembly operations, which are scheduled to continue for years to come. Galileo is the first satellite navigation that is not controlled by the United States. It is being built by the Europeans as a reaction to the fact that the US is not providing them with more precise location data.
Validation satellites for Galileo spacecraft have been sent to orbit years ago. GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B demonstrated through their accomplishments that all technologies which will underly the new satellite network are fully matured.
But, while everyone knew that the day of the first true Galileo launches was coming, no one knew precisely when to expect this. Now, a joint announcement by ESA, Arianespace and the European Commission established the date to October 20.
All launches will take place from the Kourou Spaceport, which ESA operates in French Guiana, South America. The review on which the new announcement was based was officially concluded on May 12.
Also worthy of mention is the fact that the Europeans will use Russian-built Soyuz delivery systems to put their satellites in orbit around Earth. The Soyuz launch pad that has been under construction at Kourou for years has just been completed.
“The October launch will be a perfect example of European and international cooperation. On one side we will have the first operational Galileo satellites in orbit, resulting from the cooperation between the European Union and ESA,” explains Jean-Jacques Dordain.
“On the other side, this is the first launch of Soyuz from French Guiana, a program made possible through the cooperation between ESA and Russia,” adds the official, who is the ESA Director-General.
“Arianespace is both proud and honored to be contributing to this innovative project, reflecting the innovative technologies that are constantly being developed in Europe for the benefit of all citizens,” explains the Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, Jean-Yves Le Gall.
“I would like to thank the European Commission and ESA for choosing our launch services, further recognition of our market leadership. With this launch, we will also be opening a new chapter in our own history, as we start Soyuz operations from the Guiana Space Center,” he adds.
“More than ever, we will be able to deliver the full range of launch services expected by our customers from around the world,” Le Gall concludes.
Europe is not the only one building its own satellite navigation system. Russian is developing its GLONASS network, whereas China has long since begun work on the Beidou system.
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