Article Posted on : - Aug 29, 2012

The fourth Galileo flight model satellite being unloaded at Cayenne Airport in French Guiana on 17 August 2012. Photo: ESA/EADS Astrium.

PARIS (BNS): The next two Galileo satellites are now in place at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, being prepared for their shared launch in October.

Following the successful acceptance review, Astrium Europe's leading space company, has brought the third and fourth Galileo IOV (In-Orbit Validation) satellites to the European Space Agency (ESA).

The two satellites are to be launched aboard a Soyuz rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou. They will join the two Astrium IOV satellites already in space to complete the Galileo IOV configuration.

This will mark a significant step in Europe's programme because it will complete the deployment of infrastructure required for the IOV phase and will allow for the first time a computation of on-ground position based solely on Galileo satellites, ESA said.

The IOV phase is being followed by the deployment of additional satellites and ground segment as required to achieve the 'Full Operational Capability', leading to provision of services.

The first 22 of these FOC satellites are currently being built by OHB in Germany, responsible for the platforms and final satellite integration, and UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, producing the payloads.

The first four Galileo IOV satellites have been built by a consortium led by EADS Astrium, Germany, with Astrium producing the platforms and Astrium UK responsible for the payloads. Galileo is Europe's first global satellite navigation system under civilian control.