First Galileo Satellite to be Presented at ESA/ESTEC

PARIS, Nov. 1, 2005/Satnews Daily/ — Galileo, Europe’s novel satellite navigation system, is getting ready for launch, preparing the way for the delivery of a new and advanced global civil positioning service for the benefit of citizens in Europe and worldwide.
 
The European Space Agency (ESA) said the first two satellites in the Galileo constellation, two experimental trail-blazers dubbed GSTB-V2/A and GSTB-V2/B, are at an advanced stage of preparation, ready to make the first step under the In-Orbit Validation phase of the Galileo program.

ESA said both are currently in the last-tests phase before commencing their mission into orbit. The first, GSTB-V2/A, is at present undergoing its final environmental test campaign (solar simulation, acoustic and vibration checks) on the test facilities at ESA's ESTEC centre in Noordwijk (The Netherlands). The second, GSTB-V2/B, is undergoing its final integration tests at the Alenia Spazio facilities in Rome (Italy).

The two launches will be performed by a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur cosmodrome, the first by the end of 2005. The second launch is planned for later on in 2006.

ESA will give an in-depth Galileo background briefing by experts for media representatives on November 9. After the briefing, Ms Karla Peijs, Dutch Minister of Transport, Public Works & Water Management, and Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA’s Director General, will share with the media an opportunity to see the first spacecraft at ESA’s Test Centre at ESTEC.

 
The GSTB-V2/A satellite currently undergoing tests at ESA/ESTEC is being developed by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (UK). GSTB-V2/A is intended to secure frequency filings and validate key technologies such as rubidium clocks.

GSTB-V2/B, which is intended to fulfil similar objectives, is being developed by Galileo Industries, a European consortium including Alcatel Space Industries (F), Alenia Spazio (I), Astrium GmbH (D), Astrium Ltd (UK) and Galileo Sistemas y Servicios (E). The satellite provides for complementary features such as a passive hydrogen maser clock and transmission using three simultaneous transmission channels.

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