[SatNews] The quality acceptance review has been completed most satisfactorily...

The European Space Agency (ESA) has accepted the first and second Astrium-built Galileo In-Orbit Validation (IOV) satellites as part of their quality acceptance review. This step represents a major milestone in this important European flagship program. During this period, the first of four Astrium-built IOV satellite to form part of the Galileo constellation has also arrived at the European Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana ahead of its scheduled launch on a Soyuz launch vehicle in October.

The satellite was designed and manufactured by a team under the leadership of Astrium Germany, with Astrium UK overseeing the development and integration of the satellite’s state-of-the-art navigation payload. The satellite is the first of four IOV satellites that are being developed by Astrium for the Galileo system, Europe’s first global navigation satellite system that will provide a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control. The satellite arrived in French Guiana on an Antonov An-124 airplane from Rome, where the spacecraft was assembled and tested by Thales Alenia Space Italy. The spacecraft will shortly be joined by the second Astrium-built IOV satellite before both will be launched on the first ever Soyuz flight from French Guiana in late October.

The first two spacecraft will be joined in orbit next year by the third and forth IOV satellites, which are also being developed under Astrium’s leadership. Once in orbit, these four satellites will validate the Galileo system design - four satellites are the minimum required to provide positioning information.

Along with overseeing the development of the Galileo IOV satellites, Astrium is significantly involved in the Galileo Ground Segment and System Support activities. Astrium was recently awarded a 73.5 million euros contract by ESA on behalf of the EU to be the prime contractor for the Galileo Full Operational Capability Ground Control Segment. The Ground Control Segment (GCS) contract covers the provision of GCS facilities for the operation of the Galileo constellation and will be led by an Astrium team out of the U.K. The definition phase and the development and In-Orbit Validation phase of the Galileo programme were carried out by the European Space Agency (ESA) and co-funded by ESA and the European Commission. The Full Operational Capability phase of the Galileo program is managed and fully funded by the European Commission. The Commission and ESA have signed a delegation agreement by which ESA acts as design and procurement agent on behalf of the Commission.