ESA Navigation

New Airbus A350 comes EGNOS-capable

The ESA-developed EGNOS system for sharpening the accuracy of satnav across Europe has been adopted by a growing number of airports to enable satellite-guided landing approaches. The new Airbus A350 airliner, currently entering service, comes fitted with it as standard.

Global satnav augmentation systems settle on common channels post-2020

The next decade’s aircraft pilots will be able to rely on enhanced, reliable satellite navigation signals on a seamless basis across much of the world, thanks to decisions made at the latest gathering of worldwide satnav augmentation system providers and experts.

Apprentices sought for ESA’s satnav summer school

Students still have time to join the ESA International Summer School on Global Navigation Satellite Systems, which will take place in Barcelona, Spain, at the end of August. 

Colloquium on scientific and fundamental aspects of Galileo

Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system, currently under construction, will affect many aspects of daily life. It also promises to be a valuable scientific yardstick – a new highly precise measuring system to apply to our planet and everything on it, and even to space-time itself.

Galileo satellites well on way to working orbit

Their systems performing well, Europe’s recently launched Galileo navigation satellites have carried out a set of manoeuvres that will take them down to their working positions in orbit.

Galileo system updated and back to work

The worldwide Ground Mission Segment providing all Galileo navigation messages has completed a full-scale hardware and software migration to version V2.0, and is now fully operational again.

Galileo eight

Galileo separation

Two new satellites join the Galileo constellation

The EU’s Galileo satellite navigation system now has eight satellites in orbit following the launch of the latest pair. 

Launch replay

Launch replay

Galileo lifts off

Galileo lifts off

Galileo lifts off

Salvage in space

Galileo launch

Galileo in flight

Galileos atop Soyuz

Galileo satellites enclosed for Friday’s launch

Thousands of engineers have worked on the seventh and eighth navigation satellites of Europe’s Galileo constellation in recent years, but last Friday marked the very last time the spacecraft were glimpsed by human eyes. 

Galileo on the move

Galileo: at your service

Galileo meets Galileo as launch draws near

The seventh and eighth Galileo satellites, set for launch together in nine days’ time, have been fitted together onto the dispenser that will carry them during their flight to orbit.

Counting down to Galileo

Fuelling Galileo

Sixth Galileo satellite reaches corrected orbit

The sixth Galileo satellite of Europe’s navigation system has now entered its corrected target orbit, which will allow detailed testing to assess the performance of its navigation payload.

Galileo satellites ready for fuelling as launcher takes shape

All the elements for this month’s Galileo launch are coming together at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. As the two satellites undergo final testing and preparations, the first part of their Soyuz launcher has also been integrated.

Quality check on Galileo performance

In Roman times the milestone was the central method of navigation, with all distances fixed from a ‘golden milestone’ in the imperial capital. Today, navigation satellites have become the modern equivalent of milestones – but Rome still has a role to play.

Latest Galileo satellites reach launch site

Another two Galileo satellites have touched down in French Guiana ready to take their place in Europe’s satellite navigation constellation.

Service interruption for Galileo system upgrade

Galileo’s navigation messages will shortly stop being updated, in order to enable the migration of a new release for Galileo’s world-spanning ground mission segment.

Four Galileo satellites at ESA test centre

ESA engineers unwrapped a welcome Christmas present: the latest Galileo satellite. The navigation satellite will undergo a full checkout in Europe’s largest satellite test facility to prove its readiness for space.

Salvaged Galileo performs its first navigation fix

Galileo's fifth satellite – recently salvaged from the wrong orbit to begin navigation testing – has been combined with three predecessors to provide its very first position fix.

Galileo satellite recovered and transmitting navigation signals

Europe’s fifth Galileo satellite, one of two delivered into a wrong orbit by VS09 Soyuz-Fregat launcher in August, has transmitted its first navigation signal in space on Saturday 29 November 2014. It has reached its new target orbit and its navigation payload has been successfully switched on. 

Serving search and rescue

New sites will boost European search and rescue

A trio of stations has taken shape on three islands at the far corners of our continent, ready to pick up distress calls via satellite from all across Europe and its surrounding waters. 

Galileo satellite set for new orbit

ESA’s fifth Galileo navigation satellite, one of two left in the wrong orbit this summer, will make a series of manoeuvres this month as a prelude to its health being confirmed.

Galileo duo handed over in excellent shape

A pair of fully functioning Galileo navigation satellites was recently delivered to its operators, as preparations get underway for the next round of launches.

Galileo duo handed over in excellent shape

A pair of fully functioning Galileo navigation satellites was recently delivered to its operators, as preparations get underway for the next round of launches.

Galileo duo handed over in excellent shape

A pair of fully functioning Galileo navigation satellites was recently delivered to its operators, as preparations get underway for the next round of launches.

China to join effort developing post-2020 aircraft satnav standards

Aircraft employ satellite navigation too: Europe’s EGNOS augmentation system sharpens the accuracy and reliability of GPS signals so they can safely be used for landing approaches across a growing number of European airports. But aviation is a global enterprise – so the aim is to develop a seamless network of augmentation systems in future.

China to join effort developing post-2020 aircraft satnav standards

Aircraft employ satellite navigation too: Europe’s EGNOS augmentation system sharpens the accuracy and reliability of GPS signals so they can safely be used for landing approaches across a growing number of European airports. But aviation is a global enterprise – so the aim is to develop a seamless network of augmentation systems in future.

Galileo satellites status update

The fifth and sixth Galileo satellites have been in a safe state since 28 August, fully under control from ESA’s centre in Darmstadt, Germany, despite having been released on 22 August into lower and elliptical orbits instead of the expected circular orbits.

Galileo satellites – status update

The fifth and sixth Galileo satellites have been in a safe state since 28 August, fully under control from ESA’s centre in Darmstadt, Germany, despite having been released on 22 August into lower and elliptical orbits instead of the expected circular orbits.

Galileo satellites – status update

The fifth and sixth Galileo satellites have been in a safe state since 28 August, fully under control from ESA’s centre in Darmstadt, Germany, despite having been released on 22 August into lower and elliptical orbits instead of the expected circular orbits.

Team of teams

Update on Galileo launch injection anomaly

Operations continue smoothly for Galileo Sat 5-6. Both satellites now have both sets of their solar arrays fully deployed and generating power.

Update on Galileo launch injection anomaly

Operations continue smoothly for Galileo Sat 5-6. Both satellites now have both sets of their solar arrays fully deployed and generating power.

Update on Galileo launch injection anomaly

Operations continue smoothly for Galileo Sat 5-6. Both satellites now have both sets of their solar arrays fully deployed and generating power.

Galileo status

Galileo status

Update on Galileo launch injection anomaly

Work at ESA’s ESOC control centre continues relentlessly on the two Galileo satellites.

Update on Galileo launch injection anomaly

Work at ESA’s ESOC control centre continues relentlessly on the two Galileo satellites.

Update on Galileo launch injection anomaly

Work at ESA’s ESOC control centre continues relentlessly on the two Galileo satellites.

Soyuz Galileo launch: injection anomaly

Following the announcement made by Arianespace on the anomalies of the orbit injection of the Galileo satellites, the teams of industries and agencies involved in the early operations of the satellites are investigating the potential implications on the mission.

Soyuz Galileo launch: injection anomaly

Following the announcement made by Arianespace on the anomalies of the orbit injection of the Galileo satellites, the teams of industries and agencies involved in the early operations of the satellites are investigating the potential implications on the mission.

Galileo liftoff - replay

Galileo has started its operational deployment phase

The next pair of Galileo satellites, Galileo 5 and 6, has been successfully delivered into orbit today. This launch marks the start of a new phase in the European satellite navigation programme where the full constellation will be deployed with short intervals between launches. 

Galileo liftoff

New launch date for Galileo

Arianespace has announced the next launch attempt for Soyuz VS09 with Europe's fifth and sixth Galileo satellites is 22 August at 12:27 GMT, 14:27 CEST.

New launch date for Galileo

Arianespace has announced the next launch attempt for Soyuz VS09 with Europe's fifth and sixth Galileo satellites is 22 August at 12:27 GMT, 14:27 CEST.

Galileo launch postponed

Arianespace has decided to postpone the launch of Soyuz flight VS09 carrying Europe's fifth and sixth Galileo satellites. This is due to unfavourable weather conditions over the Guiana Space Centre.

ESA and CNES experts ready for Galileo’s first orbits

Lift-off for Galileo satellites 5 and 6 is set for Thursday, 21 August, at 12:31 GMT (14:31 CEST) on a Soyuz rocket from the Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.

Just 9 minutes and 23 seconds later, the Fregat upper stage carrying the payload will separate from the Soyuz third stage, and conduct a pair of engine burns separated by an approximately three-hour ballistic coast phase.

Three hours and 47 minutes after launch, the Galileo satellites will separate into free-flight orbit, 23 522 km above Earth. On board each satellite, an automatic sequence will be triggered, switching the spacecraft on, booting up the onboard software, deploying a pair of solar arrays and orienting the spacecraft toward the Sun.

ESA and CNES experts ready for Galileo’s first orbits

Lift-off for Galileo satellites 5 and 6 is set for Thursday, 21 August, at 12:31 GMT (14:31 CEST) on a Soyuz rocket from the Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.

Just 9 minutes and 23 seconds later, the Fregat upper stage carrying the payload will separate from the Soyuz third stage, and conduct a pair of engine burns separated by an approximately three-hour ballistic coast phase.

Three hours and 47 minutes after launch, the Galileo satellites will separate into free-flight orbit, 23 522 km above Earth. On board each satellite, an automatic sequence will be triggered, switching the spacecraft on, booting up the onboard software, deploying a pair of solar arrays and orienting the spacecraft toward the Sun.

ESA and CNES experts ready for Galileo’s first orbits

Lift-off for Galileo satellites 5 and 6 is set for Thursday, 21 August, at 12:31 GMT (14:31 CEST) on a Soyuz rocket from the Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.

Just 9 minutes and 23 seconds later, the Fregat upper stage carrying the payload will separate from the Soyuz third stage, and conduct a pair of engine burns separated by an approximately three-hour ballistic coast phase.

Three hours and 47 minutes after launch, the Galileo satellites will separate into free-flight orbit, 23 522 km above Earth. On board each satellite, an automatic sequence will be triggered, switching the spacecraft on, booting up the onboard software, deploying a pair of solar arrays and orienting the spacecraft toward the Sun.

Galileo satellites seated atop Soyuz launcher

Europe’s latest two Galileo satellites have been placed on top of their Soyuz launcher, ready for their ride to orbit tomorrow.

Galileo satellites seated atop Soyuz launcher

Europe’s latest two Galileo satellites have been placed on top of their Soyuz launcher, ready for their ride to orbit tomorrow.

Watch the launch

Galileo satellites encapsulated for launch

Europe’s latest Galileo satellites have been sealed within their launch fairing, atop the Fregat upper stage that will carry them into their final orbit.

Launching Galileo

Deploying Galileo

Twin Galileos meet, ready for Thursday’s launch

Final functional testing of Europe’s twin Galileo navigation satellites has been completed at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, on track for launch this Thursday.

New video: Galileo towards the future

The special significance of next Thursday's launch for the Galileo system as a whole is highlighted in a new ESA video, including an interview with Didier Faivre, the Agency's Director of the Galileo Programme and Navigation-related Activities.

Call for Media: Press briefing on launch of Galileo satellites 5-6

The next satellites in Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system will be launched on 21 August, ushering in the system deployment phase and paving the way for the start of initial services. Media are invited to take part in an audio briefing on Wednesday, 20 August.

Galileo’s ‘midwives’ stand ready for launch

Galileo’s post-launch team at ESA have finalised their preparations for taking control of the twin satellites being launched next month.

Galileo: it’s all about the time

Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system – the combination of satellites in space and stations on the ground – forms a planetary scale timepiece. Current testing shows it keeping very good time indeed – around 10 billionths of a second on average. 

Galileo fixes worldwide

Pioneer Galileo navigation fixes recognised by ESA

Billions of satnav position fixes are performed daily, but determining your place in the world using Europe’s Galileo system is quite new. So ESA offered to issue certificates for the very first 50 Galileo fixes – provoking responses from across the whole world.

Galileo's story so far

Apprentices sought for satnav summer school

Students still have time to join the ESA International Summer School on GNSS, taking place in the Czech Republic this July. The 10-day course will cover all aspects of satellite navigation, up to and including the creation of a satnav-based business.

Exit Galileo

Touchdown

Next Galileo satellites arrive at Europe’s Spaceport

Europe’s two latest Galileo navigation satellites touched down today at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, ready for their joint launch this summer.

Unboxing Galileo

Latest Galileo satellite arrives at ESA’s test centre

Europe’s latest Galileo navigation satellite has arrived at the Agency’s technical centre in the Netherlands for testing, as the previous two satellites are prepared for shipping to French Guiana for launch this summer.

Sea trial

Galileo: following the trail of the dragon-ships

Results are being processed from the first Galileo maritime trials outside of mainland Europe. The long-range, high-latitude testing spanned the North Sea, following the same historical sailing route that Viking dragon-ships used 1200 years ago.

Electric thrusters may steer Galileo in future

Future Galileo navigation satellites might adopt electric propulsion to reach their final orbits, with the weight savings offering larger payloads and a broader range of services in the 2020s.

New Galileo station opens in Azores

The latest addition to Galileo’s worldwide ground infrastructure has been made in the mid-Atlantic, on Portugal’s Santa Maria island in the Azores.

Wings of power

Dutch company powering Galileo

As they bathe the ground below them in test navigation messages, Europe’s Galileo satellites are kept alive by the Sun. 

ESA to certify first Galileo position fixes worldwide

To mark the first anniversary of Galileo’s historic first satnav positioning measurement, ESA plans to award certificates to groups who picked up signals from the four satellites in orbit to perform their own fixes.

Galileo to augment systems guiding aircraft in 2020

Plans to harness Galileo and other satnav systems for next-generation satellite augmentation systems for aviation and other high-performance uses took a significant step forward at the latest gathering of worldwide operators and experts.

Galileo for mass market

ESA helping prepare satnav mass market for Galileo services

With the first Galileo services set to begin this year, ESA is working directly with European manufacturers of mass-market satnav chips and receivers to ensure that their products are Galileo-ready.

Galileo validated

Galileo works, and works well

The in-orbit validation of Galileo has been achieved: Europe now has the operational nucleus of its own satellite navigation constellation in place – the world’s first civil-owned and operated satnav system.

First airborne fix

Galileo achieves its first airborne tracking

ESA’s Galileo satellites have achieved their very first aerial fix of longitude, latitude and altitude, enabling the inflight tracking of a test aircraft.

Galileo out of vacuum

ESA’s new breed of Galileo endures weeks of simulated space

ESA’s newest Galileo satellite has emerged from five weeks of simulated space conditions: Friday saw a hatch slid open to end its thermal-vacuum test, a milestone on the way to orbit.

Experts seek to harness Galileo for science

As Galileo takes shape, as well as offering precision navigation and timing services around the world it is also shaping up to become a promising tool for science. 

Galileo put to the test

A testing time for Galileo satellites headed to space

Europe’s next pair of Galileo satellites have been the focus of a busy autumn at ESA’s technical centre in the Netherlands, continuing a full-scale campaign to ensure their readiness for space.

Athlete tracker takes home grand prize

A small but revolutionary motion sensor worn by athletes has scored a big win in this year’s European Satellite Navigation Competition. Proposed by the ESA Business Incubation Centre start-up company Kinexon, it provides accurate, realtime information on an athlete’s condition.

Search and rescue sites

European ground stations enable Galileo search and rescue testing

ESA’s completion of a pair of dedicated ground stations at opposite ends of Europe has enabled Galileo satellites in orbit to participate in global testing of the Cospas–Sarsat search and rescue system.

Navipedia

Navipedia

Navipedia

Galileo given its voice

Galileo's first fix