The European Space Agency (ESA) has extended existing contracts with Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space by two satellites each for Galileo Second Generation (G2). The agreements were signed on 23 October in Rome and 26 October in Ottobrunn, Germany, respectively. This expands the second generation to 16 satellites.
"With these contracts, ESA and European industry secure the continuity of Europe's satellite navigation services, meet users' changing needs and strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy. The contracts are an investment in Europe's ability to navigate its own future, independently and with confidence," says Laurent Jaffart, ESA's Director of Navigation, Resilience and Connectivity.
Both companies have held contracts with ESA for six G2 satellites each since 2021. ESA has extended the agreements on behalf of the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), which is Galileo's service provider. According to ESA, the four new satellites are to be delivered in 2031 and launched shortly thereafter. They will be identical to those already under development.
According to ESA, the G2 satellites will feature fully digital navigation payloads, an improved navigation antenna, inter-satellite links and an advanced atomic clock configuration. Airbus states that the payloads can be reconfigured in orbit and that the satellites will have advanced protection against jamming and spoofing. Each satellite weighs over two tonnes, according to Airbus, and is designed to operate for 15 years.
ESA states that the development and qualification of the first twelve G2 satellites are nearing completion. Integration and testing of the first satellites are planned for 2027, with the first G2 launch scheduled for 2028. The second generation is intended to complement the 38 satellites of the first generation, all but four of which have already been launched.
"This latest order for two further advanced Galileo satellites underscores Airbus's expertise in satellite manufacturing. We are committed to delivering these next-generation satellites, which are crucial for strengthening navigation capability for European security and defence, as well as for society at large," says Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space.