ESA selects Airbus for more Galileo satellites

The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Airbus a contract to build two more second-generation Galileo satellites, raising the total number of these satellites Airbus will construct from six to eight. These satellites are part of the Galileo system, a European satellite navigation network designed to rival and surpass the U.S. GPS system in accuracy and reliability.

Galileo system under EU control

The Galileo system is a project of the European Union, which funds it and oversees its development through the European Commission. The European Union Space Programme Agency (EUSPA) manages the system’s daily operations, while the ESA acts as the chief engineer, responsible for designing, building, and launching the satellites. The ESA signed the contract on behalf of EUSPA, though the contract value remains undisclosed.

Airbus expands satellite production

Airbus will construct the new satellites using existing production lines in Germany, Spain, and France. The company already produces OneWeb satellites in Toulouse, and this new contract highlights its expertise in satellite manufacturing. Alain Fauré, head of Airbus’s space systems, described the satellites as essential for enhancing navigation capabilities in both European defense and civilian applications.

Thales Alenia Space also involved

Thales Alenia Space, a Franco-Italian company, is also producing six second-generation Galileo satellites. Together with Airbus, the two European firms will gradually replace the first generation of Galileo satellites. Some of the first generation satellites, launched by Ariane 6 rockets, are already in service, while others are expected to be deployed by the end of the year.

Advanced features of new satellites

The second-generation Galileo satellites are equipped with more precise navigation antennas, allowing the system to achieve an accuracy of about 1.5 meters under normal conditions. They also include reconfigurable digital payloads, enabling the satellites to offer new signals and services while in orbit, even at altitudes of over 23,000 km.

Enhanced security against interference

These satellites are designed to resist jamming, which involves overwhelming the signal with noise, and spoofing, which tricks receivers into thinking they are in a different location. These features are especially important for defense applications, as signal jamming has become common in conflicts like the war in Ukraine. The satellites will also use intersatellite links to communicate directly with each other, improving data accuracy and reliability.

Long-lasting satellites for Europe’s future

Each second-generation Galileo satellite will weigh over two tons and is expected to remain functional for fifteen years in orbit. Laurent Jaffart of the ESA emphasized that the contracts ensure the continuity of Europe’s satellite navigation services while advancing the continent’s strategic independence. He described the effort as a way to prepare for the future “in full independence and in full confidence.”