Galileo-FOC FM19 (Tara), Galileo-FOC FM20 (Samuel), Galileo-FOC FM21 (Anna), Galileo-FOC FM22 (Ellen) - Ariane 5-ES (VA244) - Kourou ELA-3 - 11:24:48 25.07.2018

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Arianespace TV - Launch VA244

arianespace

Опубликовано: 25 июл. 2018 г.

(0:57)

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http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/va244-galileo-success/

Ariane 5 | July 25, 2018

Arianespace continues the momentum for Europe's Galileo constellation with another Ariane 5 success


The morning liftoff of Flight VA244 with its four Galileo satellites provided a clear view of the launcher from ignition through the initial ascent phases.

With today's Ariane 5 morning success from the Spaceport in French Guiana, Arianespace has now orbited a total of 26 satellites for Europe's Galileo global navigation system with its launch vehicle family – further underscoring its ability to meet the launch requirements of high-profile institutional customers.

This mission, designated Flight VA244 in Arianespace's numbering system, was performed from the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch zone, with Ariane 5 deploying its four passengers during a mission lasting approximately 3 hours, 56 minutes.

Liftoff occurred at the precise moment of launch – 8:25:01 a.m., local time in French Guiana – with the vehicle ascending through skies with only scattered clouds, providing a clear view of its initial trajectory, including separation of the two solid propellant boosters.

The four Galileo satellites weighed approximately 716 kg. each, and were deployed from a dispenser system that released the passengers in two sets during an interval of 20 minutes. The Ariane 5's overall payload lift performance to medium Earth orbit (MEO) was set at 3,284 kg.

Спойлер

From Soyuz to Ariane 5 to Ariane 6

Flight VA244 was the third to utilize the workhorse Ariane 5 ES version – supplied by production prime contractor ArianeGroup – in lofting operational Galileo spacecraft. It followed previous missions that orbited four satellites each in 2016 and 2017; plus 14 others launched in pairs aboard the company's Russian-built Soyuz vehicles during seven missions performed between 2011 and 2016.

"What an outstanding success for Europe with 12 Galileo satellites launched in less than three years by Ariane 5!" said Arianespace CEO Stéphane Israël, who provided his post-flight comments from the Spaceport's mission control center.

Following today's third and final Arianespace's Galileo mission using an Ariane 5, future launches for the global navigation system will utilize the next-generation Ariane 6 – which is scheduled to begin providing services to Europe and worldwide customers in 2020. Two Galileo missions already have been assigned to the Ariane 6's A62 version.

This also marked the last utilization of an Ariane 5 ES version, equipped with a storable propellant upper stage. The Ariane 5 ES also was utilized on Arianespace missions that launched five European-built Automated Transfer Vehicle cargo resupply spacecraft to the International Space Station.

Another Arianespace success for Europe

As Europe's own global navigation satellite system, Galileo is operated under civilian control, offering guaranteed high-precision positioning around the world. The Galileo program is funded and owned by the European Union. The European Commission has overall responsibility for the program, with Flight VA244 performed by Arianespace on behalf of the European Commission under contract with the European Space Agency (ESA).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for operating the Galileo satellite navigation systems on behalf of the European Union. Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom.

Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom.
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http://www.arianespace.com/press-release/arianespace-orbits-four-more-galileo-satellites-as-ariane-5-logs-its-99th-mission/

Ariane 5 | July 25, 2018

Arianespace orbits four more Galileo satellites, as Ariane 5 logs its 99th mission



Arianespace has successfully launched four more satellites in the Galileo constellation. Liftoff was at 8:25 a.m. (local time) July 25, 2018 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Today's launch was the 99th mission by the Ariane 5 heavy launcher. It was carried out on behalf of the European Commission as part of a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA). It also was the last in a series of three launches for Galileo using the version of Ariane 5 with a storable propellant upper stage (ES). Two additional missions to deploy four more satellites have been assigned to the A62 version of the upcoming Ariane 6 launch vehicle.

Today's emblematic launch also was a landmark for the European space sector. Taking place at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, it brought together, in addition to the ESA Director General and the heads of national space agencies, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, the European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW); Frédérique Vidal, the French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation; Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister of State, attached to the Ministre d'Etat, Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition; and Pedro Duque, the Spanish Minister for Science, Innovation and Universities.

Galileo, the European satellite navigation system

Galileo is Europe's own global navigation satellite system. The complete Galileo system will comprise a total of 24 operational satellites, along with six spares.

Спойлер

Since December 2016, Galileo has offered guaranteed and high-precision positioning services under civilian control. These services already are used by more than 100 million commercial devices.

Today's flight, VA244, the third and last performed with the Ariane 5 ES launcher dedicated to Galileo missions, orbited the constellation's satellites 23 to 26, built by OHB System. Arianespace has now deployed a total of 26 satellites for the constellation.

Two additional missions, to orbit four more satellites, already have been assigned to the A62 version of the new Ariane 6 launcher.

Supporting Europe's ambitious space goals

Arianespace guarantees independent access to space for Europe through its complete family of launch vehicles. Working for flagship programs by the European Commission and ESA, Arianespace already has deployed all Galileo satellites launched to date, and carried out four missions for Europe's vast Earth observation program, Copernicus.



Following the success of this latest Galileo mission from the Guiana Space Center, witnessed by key players in the European space community, Arianespace will carry out three more missions for European institutions in 2018. Two emblematic missions are coming up for ESA: the August 21 Vega launch of a wind study satellite called Aeolus; and then on October 18, an Ariane 5 launch of the BepiColombo spacecraft to explore the planet Mercury (in partnership with the Japanese space agency JAXA). A Soyuz medium launcher will then loft EUMETSAT's meteorological satellite, MetOp-C.

Following the European Commission's announcement of an ambitious space budget proposal for the coming decade, and the ESA Council's confirmation in June of funding for the transition period between Ariane 5 and Ariane 6, Arianespace confirms the availability of its future launchers – Ariane 6 and Vega C – to carry out governmental missions for the European Commission, ESA, EUMETSAT and European countries.

After the announcement of the successful launch, Frédérique Vidal, French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation said: "Ariane's latest success demonstrates the world-class capabilities of the European space sector. I would like to congratulate all of the partners involved in the Ariane 5 and Galileo programs, both incredible achievements of European space policy: CNES, ESA, the European Commission, Arianespace, ArianeGroup and all of the European manufacturers. This latest success and the rapid development of Galileo uses shows that the European space sector can do more than hold its own, as it plays a pioneering role in the development of space technology."

Stéphane Israël, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace, emphasized: "With this fourth launch of the year, and the third with Ariane 5, Arianespace has proudly accomplished its 10th mission for the Galileo program. Today's mission brings the number of satellites launched by Arianespace for this European constellation to 26 since 2011. I would like to thank the European Commission, and in particular DG GROW, as well as the European Space Agency, for their continued trust. More than ever, Arianespace confirms its assigned mission of guaranteeing independent and reliable access to space for Europe. We are especially pleased that the next two Galileo missions have already been assigned to the A62 version of our new Ariane 6 launch vehicle. Furthermore, we are honored to have had, alongside ESA's Director General, the President of DLR Group and the presidents of CNES and ASI, the highest political authorities in charge of space, attend this launch. I would like to thank Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska, the French Minister Frédérique Vidal and the Spanish Minister Pedro Duque for experiencing this achievement with us at Europe's Spaceport." Thanks also to French Minister Sébastien Lecornu for his presence: the environment is at the heart of our activities and preoccupations.

"Congratulations to our partners who made the success of this mission possible: OHB System, prime contractor for the four satellites aboard Ariane 5; ArianeGroup, as well as all Ariane industry manufacturers; ESA and the Ariane program's member states; CNES/CSG, our industrial ground segment companies, and all employees at the base.

Of course, congratulations to everyone at Arianespace for this latest success, the penultimate step before the 100th launch of Ariane 5, slated for September 5."

Galileo FOC-M8 satellites 23, 24, 25 and 26

The Galileo FOC-M8 23, 24, 25 and 26 satellites were built by OHB System AG in Bremen; with the payloads supplied by the UK-based SSTL (Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd), 99% owned by Airbus Defence and Space. The satellites' average mass was 716 kg. each, with the combined payload lift performance for the mission of 3,284 kg. – which included the 418.5-kg. payload dispenser.

These satellites were placed into a circular medium Earth orbit (MEO) in Plane B at an altitude of 29,600 km. and an inclination of 56.31°.

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DutchSpace‏ @DutchSpace 3 мин. назад

Empty pad... 4 more babies on-orbit (all working well) a very nice day id say...
#VA244 #Galileo #ESA

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DutchSpace‏ @DutchSpace 20 мин. назад

And some nice numbers for this last Ariane 5 ES launch, the difference between requested and measured eccentricity was 0.000338 amazing performance !
#VA244 #ESA

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Arianespace TV - VA244 Mission Success

arianespace

Опубликовано: 25 июл. 2018 г.

(3:11)

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Arianespace Flight VA244 - Galileo FOC-M8 / SAT 23-24-25-26 (EN)

arianespace

Трансляция началась 8 часов назад

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на фр. яз. (4:57:59) -

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Highlights of Galileo 23–26 launch

European Space Agency, ESA

Опубликовано: 25 июл. 2018 г.

(2:13)

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Красиво, чо...

DutchSpace‏ @DutchSpace 57 мин. назад

Dag schoonheid...
#VA244 #Galileo #ESA

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https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/07/25/successful-ariane-5-launch-fills-out-european-navigation-fleet/

Successful Ariane 5 launch fills out European navigation fleet
July 25, 2018 | Stephen Clark


An Ariane 5 rocket lifted off at 1125 GMT (7:25 a.m. EDT; 8:25 a.m. French Guiana time) from the Guiana Space Center in South America. Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – Service Optique

The final flight of a discontinued version of Europe's Ariane 5 rocket added four more spacecraft to Europe's Galileo navigation constellation Wednesday, giving the multibillion-euro network enough satellites to remain on track for the start of full global service in 2020.

Launching with an older, out-of-production upper stage fed by toxic, storable hydrazine fuel, the 155-foot-tall (47-meter) Ariane 5 ES rocket ignited is Vulcain 2 main engine at 1125:01 GMT (7:25:01 a.m. EDT; 8:25:01 a.m. French Guiana time) from the Guiana Space Center on the northeastern shore of South America.

Seven seconds later, twin solid rocket boosters fired in unison to send the Ariane 5 launcher into a clear morning sky over the spaceport in French Guiana. The boosters' steerable nozzles guided the rocket toward the northeast, and the strap-on motors burned their solid propellant and jettisoned around 2 minutes, 19 seconds, after liftoff.

Guzzling super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen at a rate of 705 pounds (320 kilograms) per second, the Vulcain 2 engine fired for nine minutes before the core stage dropped away to fall back into Earth's atmosphere.

The Ariane 5's upper stage Aestus engine fired moments later, burning nearly 11 minutes to reach an elliptical transfer orbit ranging more than 14,000 miles (nearly 23,000 kilometers) above Earth. After a three-hour coast, the Aestus engine reignited for more than six minutes, reshaping its orbit to reach a circular path around the planet.

Telemetry radioed from the rocket to launch controllers in French Guiana indicated the four 1,576-pound (715-kilogram) Galileo satellites separated from their carrier module in two pairs, spaced 20 minutes apart, as intended.

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Artist's illustration of four Galileo satellites deploying from an Ariane 5 rocket's upper stage in orbit. Credit: ESA–P. Carril

A separate control team in Toulouse, France, took charge of the satellites soon after separation from the Ariane 5 rocket. Engineers there confirmed all four spacecraft were healthy after unfurling their power-generating solar panels, following a planned post-launch activation sequence.

Officials declared the launch a success, giving Europe's Galileo navigation fleet 26 satellites, including 22 craft launched in the last four years. The 26 Galileo satellites launched to date rode seven Soyuz boosters and three Ariane 5 rockets into orbit, completing the program's initial deployment in space.

"Today, as you saw, all the parameters were green, and the sky was perfectly blue," said Stephane Israel, CEO of Arianespace, in a post-launch speech at the spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. "It was an outstanding success for Europe, with 12 Galileo satellites launched in less than three years by Ariane 5."

Wednesday's mission was the last flight of the Ariane 5 ES version of Europe's workhorse launcher. All future Ariane 5 launches will use the Ariane 5 ECA configuration, the most commonly-used variant of the European rocket.

The difference between the two variants is the Ariane 5 ECA flies with a hydrogen-fueled HM7B upper stage engine, which can only be ignited once in space. Missions such as Galileo satellite deployments require multiple upper stage engine firings, while most commercial satellite launches only need one.

Ariane Group, the prime contractor for the Ariane rocket family and parent company of Arianespace, is developing a new engine named Vinci for Europe's next-generation Ariane 6 rocket. The Vinci is designed to be reignited in space.

Paul Verhoef, director of navigation at the European Space Agency, said the Galileo network remains on track for full operational capability in 2020, a milestone further cemented with Wednesday's successful launch.

ESA is a technical and procurement agent on the Galileo program, which is managed by the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union.

The program is projected to cost EU member states 10 billion euros ($11.7 billion) from its inception through 2020, according to the European Commission.

Elżbieta Bieńkowska, European commissioner for internal market, industry and entrepreneurship, called Wednesday's launch an "important milestone in the history of Galileo."

"This launch brings the constellation to 26 satellites, and really takes Galileo one step closer to its full operational capability."


Artist's illustration of Galileo navigation satellites in orbit. Credit: OHB

Once complete, the Galileo constellation will be made up of around 30 satellites, including 24 operational spacecraft and approximately six spares spread among three orbital planes 14,429 miles (23,222 kilometers) above Earth.

The satellites launched Wednesday are the last of a second batch of navigation platforms ordered from OHB of Germany, which builds the spacecraft, and British-based SSTL, provider of the navigation payloads.

There will be a hiatus in Galileo launches until late 2020, when the first pair of an additional 12 Galileo satellites ordered from the OHB/SSTL team by ESA and the European Commission will be ready for liftoff. The next series of Galileo satellites are expected to launch on Europe's Ariane 6 rocket, riding two at a time aboard the lighter configuration of the next-generation launcher with two solid solid rocket boosters.

"We are happy with what we have at the moment, and with the delivery of the next batch in 2020," Verhoef said.

Officials said the addition of the four satellites launched Wednesday — along with the eventual incorporation of two Galileo spacecraft launched into an incorrect orbit in 2014 and the activation of Galileo's ground systems — should allow the European Commission to declare the network ready for full operations in 2020.

The European Commission kicked off Galileo's initial services in December 2016, allowing users equipped with Galileo-enabled chipsets to incorporate Galileo navigation signals alongside those provided by the U.S. military's GPS satellites and the Russian military's Glonass fleet.

But without a full complement of at least 24 satellites, there are still gaps in Galileo coverage. Besides the two Galileo satellites flying in the wrong orbit, another spacecraft suffered an antenna failure and is unable to provide services.

Nevertheless, officials said those gaps will be closed in the next few years, and the satellites that are working in orbit are providing better-than-required positioning estimates.

"Not only is the Galileo performance promised to be very good, it is very good," said Rodrigo da Costa, Galileo services program manager at the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency, or GSA.

"Seven years on, we've have 26 satellites in orbit," said Jean-Yves Le Gall, president of CNES, the French space agency. "We've got a system that's becoming the best in the world. We're talking about 400 million users. The numbers are constantly increasing.

"The accuracy is tremendous," Le Gall said in remarks after Wednesday's launch. "With our system, we know actually which side of the street we're on."

Most new smartphones incorporate Galileo data alongside GPS signals in their navigation apps, and more cars are equipped with Galileo-compatible navigation systems each year, officials said. The combination of GPS and Galileo signals provider users with more accurate position and time fixes than possible with a single network.

Galileo's full operational capability milestone planned for 2020 will come when the "the constellation is complete, fully operational, with all the ground segment," Verhoef said.

"This is often forgotten," Verhoef told reporters Tuesday. "The focus is always that we launch satellites, but I can tell you a lot of the deployment, in reality, is happening on the ground. All of that needs to be ready, included and working together as a system before you can declare any kind of operational capability."

The four satellites launched Wednesday are nicknamed Anna, Ellen, Samuel and Tara, the names of children who won a European Commission painting competition.

Verhoef said engineers have resolved a problem that caused multiple atomic clocks to fail on some of the older Galileo navigation satellites. None of the clock failures have affected any satellite's navigation capability, but some spacecraft lost redundancy in their navigation payloads.

"The clocks on the ground were repaired, and the ones on order were rectified, and we had to take a number of operational measures on the clocks in orbit," Verhoef said, declining to provide details on the corrective actions during a pre-launch conference call with reporters.

"It was, as often happens with these things, a very small mistake, but it led to a rather big result, and you just have to dig very deep and go to the specialists in order to find what has happened," Verhoef said. "What resulted was a short circuit internally in the clocks, and of course, after you have a short circuit, it is over, and they are dead."

Arianespace's next mission is scheduled for liftoff Aug. 21, when a light-class solid-fueled Vega launcher will send ESA's Aeolus Earth science satellite into orbit to measure global wind profiles. That will be followed by another Ariane 5 mission — the 100th Ariane 5 launch — on Sept. 15 with two commercial communications satellites.

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Arianespace Flight VA244 / Behind the Scenes of the Dream

arianespace

Опубликовано: 2 авг. 2018 г.

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Four new Galileos join Europe's largest satellite constellation