[Satnews] Arianespace’s Soyuz launcher has begun its latest mission from the Spaceport, carrying two Full Operational Capability (FOC) satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation system.
Soyuz is to deploy its passengers on a flight lasting approximately 3 hours, 48 minutes. The payload lift performance for today’s mission, which is designated Flight VS13 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system is estimated at 1,603 kg.
Galileo’s FOC phase is being funded and managed by the European Commission, which has designated the European Space Agency as the system’s design and procurement agent. The prime contractor for these two Galileo FOC satellites is OHB System of Germany, with their navigation payloads supplied by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. of the UK.
The European Commission has budgeted seven billion euros for the project until 2020.
The remaining satellites will be launched using a combination of Soyuz rockets, which can take two into space at a time, and Europe's own Ariane 5 ES launcher, which is being adapted to handle four.
The first Ariane launch is scheduled for next year, followed by one each in 2017 and 2018.
There will be one Soyuz launch in 2018 as well — bringing the total to 26 satellites, sufficient for full operation.
The European Commission has budgeted seven billion euros for the project until 2020.
The remaining satellites will be launched using a combination of Soyuz rockets, which can take two into space at a time, and Europe's own Ariane 5 ES launcher, which is being adapted to handle four.
- The European Commission website – Galileo
- The European Space Agency website – Galileo
- OHB System website
- Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. website