Galileo completes his constellation [Update]

On September 5 th 2024, the last two satellites launched during the 12th launch of Galileo the 28 th, were officially integrated into the Galileo constellation, thus ensuring the sustainability of all services in orbit.

Now Galileo has 25 operational satellites out of 30 satellites placed in orbit. 5 satellites being currently considered unusable for some or unavailable for others (¹).

A successful testing phase

After undergoing the launch and orbiting phase (LEOP) and the commissioning of its subsystems, the pair underwent rigorous testing in orbit (IOT) of their navigation payload, including passive and active outgassing of payload, power up of the navigation clocks, signal transmission in all bands (E5, E6, E1 and SAR), checking the correct power levels and no spurious signals in the generated carrier. These tests confirmed their state of health, signal quality and integration readiness.

The Executive Director of EUSPA, Rodrigo da Costa, declared :
" These two new satellites strengthen Galileo's position as the world's most accurate positioning system. With the European Commission , EUSPA and ESA collaborating closely, Galileo goes beyond just satellites. it stands as proof of our united dedication to innovation, security and progress. Each addition not only improves navigation availability and robustness for over 4 billion users, but also reinforce new market opportunities for European businesses, SMEs, and entrepreneurs ” data..

An even more precise service

With these satellites 29 and 30 now operational, users can expect even greater positioning accuracy and faster response times. Currently, almost half of the world's population uses Galileo services. This improvement concerns a wide range of applications, including search and rescue missions, drones, insurance, timing synchronization, urban development and precision farming, further solidifying Galileo’s role as a critical part of global satellite navigation.

Twelve new 2nd generation satellites (G2G) are in production. The first launch of these G2G satellites is expected in 2026 with an Ariane-6 launcher, after the successful maiden flight in 2024. The European Commission is in the process of placing orders for two additional Ariane-6 launches in the coming months.

[Update September 19 th] On September 17 th at 22:50 UTC two new satellites FM26 and FM32 were put into orbit by a Falcon 9 SpaceX's rocket. They are now in the test phase (IOT).

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(¹) Galileo System Status
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Source :
EUSPA News 5/09/2024 (Freely translated).
European Commission (Representation in France)
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5 Replies to “Galileo complète sa constellation [Update]”

  1. To respond to previous comments, from end 2017 Almost all smartphones and tablets are equipped with a GNSS receiver combining GPS constellations, GLONASS, BEIDOU, QZSS and Galileo, operating in public service on the same frequency band. There is therefore no need to choose one or the other supplier.. Public accuracy generally remains 3 up to 10 meters high. The advantage is that we have a good hundred satellites, which guarantees that you always have the 4 correctly triangulated satellites necessary for precise positioning (3 for position, 1 for clock control). See https://www.navigation-mac.fr/apple-embarque-enfin-galileo/.

  2. Hello everyone,
    It’s been in use for a while now., if only in Garmin portable receivers, in the settings you can choose between “gps + glonass » ou « gps + galiléo », but not the 3, (I seem to have read that it was for a problem of too close frequencies between the 3 systems).
    For smartphones it must be the same thing, my Samsung S23 is capable of receiving several types of satellites. You GPS, to beidou via glonass and qzss.
    But in mapping apps you cannot choose the type of satellites..

  3. In this article, it's about a successful test, of operational satellites, and not operational, but what about the service?, especially in France, and as Erwan says for browsers.
    Apparently current smartphones are compatible.
    But where are we really?
    What is the current positioning accuracy with an iPhone?, or an ipad?
    How can we test a Galileo service?

  4. This is very interesting and promising, but for the moment I do not see any materialization in the GPS used in pleasure boating. we would like to know more, and also with regard to GPS for telephony and automobiles. It seems that only the American GPS can be used by ordinary people. ?

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