The EU Galileo navigation system receives more new satellites

The Galileo Navigation System of the European Space Agency (ESA) received 12 new satellites on December 12, bringing the total number of satellites currently deployed to orbit to 22.

The new 715kg satellites, which were launched into orbit by Ariane 5 boosters at 1836 (GMT) from the Kourou Space Center in French Guiana. These satellites are placed on orbit at an altitude of 23,000 km above the Earth and will begin operating 4 hours after being launched.

Galileo satellite graphics.(Source: Courtesy).

Galileo is a global positioning satellite system (GNSS) built by the European Union (EU) and considered to be of strategic importance to Europe. Unlike America and Russia, Galileo is a navigation system managed by civil society organizations.

After completion of the deployment, Galileo will have 30 satellites (of which 27 main satellites operate and 3 spare satellites), distributed on 3 main faces with an angle of 56 degrees. The design life of satellites is over 12 years.

According to space experts, the Galileo system can accurately determine the position on Earth with errors within a meter, while the GPS and GLONASS systems have a tolerance of several meters.

The European Commission (EC) is jointly responsible for the Galileo positioning system project, including the management and monitoring of all activities, but the deployment, design and development of infrastructure. commissioned by the European Space Agency.

It is expected to continue to have 4 more satellites belonging to Galileo positioning system launched into orbit in July 2018.