ARLA/CLUSTER: Sistema Galileu já tem 12 satélites em orbita

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

Galileo’s dozen: 12 satellites now in orbit

The pace of deploying Europe’s own satellite navigation system continued to
increase with yesterday’s launch of the latest pair of Galileo satellites,
doubling the number of satellites in space within nine months.

*Galileo 11* and *12* lifted off together at 11:51 GMT (12:51 CET, 08:51
local time) atop a Soyuz rocket from French Guiana.

This sixth Galileo launch was a textbook operation: all Soyuz stages
performed as planned, culminating in the Fregat upper stage deploying the
twin satellites into orbit close to 23 500 km altitude, around 3 hours and
48 minutes after liftoff.

“With today’s launch, Europe has doubled the number of its Galileo
satellites in orbit in just nine months,� commented Jan Woerner, Director
General of ESA.

“Along with the ground stations put in place around the globe, this brings
Galileo’s completion within reach.Initial Galileo services are scheduled to
begin within next year, which proves the importance of this wise
investment.�

“The excellent performance of these satellites, as measured on the ground,
allows Europe to join the club of the world wide providers of satellite
navigation services,� noted Didier Faivre, ESA’s Director of Galileo and
Navigation-related Activities.

“Production, testing and launch of the remaining satellites are now
proceeding on a steady basis according to plan.

“Then, after the summer break in 2016, the tempo of deployment will
increase further with the first of three customised Ariane 5 launchers that
will carry four rather than two satellites into orbit each time.�

This month will see the 10th anniversary of the launch of Europe’s very
first navigation satellite: GIOVE-A, on 28 December 2005. It secured the
frequencies set aside for Galileo, gathered data on the medium-altitude
orbit environment and flight-tested hardware for the working system.
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