Surrey to build second Galileo satellite
Posted: Tue, Mar 6, 2007, 8:37 AM ET (1337 GMT)
ESA announced Monday that it has awarded a contract a British smallsat manufacturer to build a second satellite for Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system. Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) will build the GIOVE-A2 satellite for ESA for launch in the second half of 2008, most likely on a Soyuz rocket. SSTL built the first Galileo satellite, GIOVE-A, which was launched in late 2005. That satellite was designed to put into use ahead of a regulatory deadline the frequencies that had been reserved for use by the full Galileo system. The GIOVE-A2 satellite will serve as a backup to GIOVE-A and incorporate some technological enhancements. ESA had previously contracted for a more sophisticated test satellite, GIOVE-B, that is being built by European Space Navigation Industries (formerly Galileo Industries), the joint venture that will eventually build the operational Galileo satellites. However, the GIOVE-B satellite has been delayed numerous times because of technical problems and is now not expected to be launched before late this year or early 2008.
ESA announced Monday that it has awarded a contract a British smallsat manufacturer to build a second satellite for Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system. Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) will build the GIOVE-A2 satellite for ESA for launch in the second half of 2008, most likely on a Soyuz rocket. SSTL built the first Galileo satellite, GIOVE-A, which was launched in late 2005. That satellite was designed to put into use ahead of a regulatory deadline the frequencies that had been reserved for use by the full Galileo system. The GIOVE-A2 satellite will serve as a backup to GIOVE-A and incorporate some technological enhancements. ESA had previously contracted for a more sophisticated test satellite, GIOVE-B, that is being built by European Space Navigation Industries (formerly Galileo Industries), the joint venture that will eventually build the operational Galileo satellites. However, the GIOVE-B satellite has been delayed numerous times because of technical problems and is now not expected to be launched before late this year or early 2008.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
NASA to launch Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in September
Posted: Sat, Apr 25 10:54 AM ET (1454 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, April 25
Where Did the Middle East Go? Satellite Imaging in the Fog of War
Bloomberg News — 11:18 am ET (1518 GMT) Creotech Instruments secures €52 million ESA contract to build Polish satellite constellation CAMILA
Creotech — 11:17 am ET (1517 GMT) Firefly Aerospace to Announce First Quarter 2026 Financial Results on May 4, 2026
Firefly Aerospace — 8:41 am ET (1241 GMT) Golden Dome dreams face harsh budget reality
POLITICO — 8:38 am ET (1238 GMT) Space Force’s Space Based Interceptor Program to Counter Growing Speed and Maneuverability of Modern Missile Threats in support of Golden Dome for America
US Space Force — 8:38 am ET (1238 GMT) |
