GPS News  
GPS NEWS
Arianespace's second Ariane 5 launch for the Galileo constellation and Europe
by Staff Writers
Kourou, French Guiana (ESA) Dec 11, 2017


ESA transferred formal responsibility for oversight of Galileo in-orbit operations to the GSA (European GNSS Agency) in July 2017.

For its 11th launch of the year, and the sixth Ariane 5 liftoff from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana during 2017, Arianespace will orbit four more satellites for the Galileo constellation.

This mission is being performed on behalf of the European Commission under a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA).

For the second time, an Ariane 5 ES version will be used to orbit satellites in Europe's own satellite navigation system. At the completion of this flight, designated Flight VA240 in Arianespace's launcher family numbering system, 22 Galileo spacecraft will have been launched by Arianespace with Soyuz and Ariane 5 launchers.

A final Ariane 5 ES mission will deploy four additional Galileo constellation satellites in 2018, after which Ariane 6 takes over from 2020-2021 - with its initial two Galileo launches contracted by ESA on behalf of the European Commission in September 2017.

The Flight VA240 will be from Ariane Launch Complex No. 3 (ELA 3) in Kourou, French Guiana.

The Launch Readiness Review (LRR) will take place on Friday, December 8, 2017 in Kourou, to authorize the start of operations for the final countdown.

Galileo is Europe's own global navigation satellite system. Under civilian control, Galileo offers guaranteed high-precision positioning around the world. Its initial services began in December 2016, allowing users equipped with Galileo-enabled devices to combine Galileo and GPS data for better positioning accuracy.

The complete Galileo constellation will comprise a total of 24 operational satellites (along with spares); 18 of these satellites already have been orbited by Arianespace.

ESA transferred formal responsibility for oversight of Galileo in-orbit operations to the GSA (European GNSS Agency) in July 2017.

Therefore, as of this launch, the GSA will be in charge of the operation of the Galileo satellite navigation systems on behalf of the European Union. GSA will be responsible for operating these satellites as soon as they separate from the launcher. Satellite positioning operations and system operation will be carried out in conjunction with ESA.

The Galileo satellites are built by prime contractor OHB System in Bremen, Germany, with the payloads supplied by UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), which is 99% owned by Airbus Defence and Space.

GPS NEWS
Air Force tests Raytheon's GPS receiver aboard B-2 bomber
Washington (UPI) Dec 5, 2017
The U.S. Air Force has tested Raytheon's next-generation military-code GPS receiver aboard a B-2 Spirit bomber. The series of tests aboard a B-2 bomber at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., is considered a milestone for the U.S. government-led push to modernize GPS equipment by improving security, positioning, navigation and timing capabilities, Raytheon said in a release Tuesday. " ... read more

Related Links
Arianespace
GPS Applications, Technology and Suppliers


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

GPS NEWS
Shining a light on plant growth and development

Archaeologist says fire, not corn, key to prehistoric survival in arid Southwest

Soil researchers quantify an underappreciated factor in carbon release to the atmosphere

Meadows beat out shrubs when it comes to storing carbon

GPS NEWS
Toshiba, Western Digital settle legal battle over chip unit sale

Secure information transmission over 500m fiber links based on quantum technologies

Squeezing light into a tiny channel brings optical computing a step closer

Researchers quantify factors for reducing power semiconductor resistance by two-thirds

GPS NEWS
Draken International to buy surplus South African fighters

Canada to buy 18 used Australian jetsw

Qatar signs $8-bn deal to buy 24 Typhoon fighters from UK

Bell-Boeing awarded contract for materials, support of V-22 Osprey

GPS NEWS
Chinese electric carmaker to open Morocco plant

Singapore launches electric car-sharing service

Chinese auto giant to end petrol vehicle sales by 2025

Volkswagen boss urges end to diesel tax breaks

GPS NEWS
China exports surge in November as trade tensions flare

US says 'litigation-centered' WTO losing focus

China exports soar higher than expected in November

EU wins tougher, swifter anti-dumping trade powers

GPS NEWS
Forests are the key to fresh water

US agency confirms Canada softwood lumber hurting US industry

Flying laboratory reveals crucial tropical forest conservation targets in Borneo

NASA Survey Technique Estimates Congo Forest's Carbon

GPS NEWS
NASA's CATS concludes successful mission on Space Station

Understanding the climate impact of natural atmospheric particles

Sentinel-5P brings air pollution into focus

First global maps of traits that drive vegetation growth

GPS NEWS
New nanowires are just a few atoms thick

Physicists explain metallic conductivity of thin carbon nanotube films

Ceria nanoparticles: It is the surface that matters

Semiconducting carbon nanotubes can reduce noise in interconnects









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.