The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially extended ongoing contracts to manufacture four additional Galileo Second Generation (G2) satellites. This procurement ensures the long-term continuity of the constellation and supports the deployment of new services, expanding the total G2 fleet to 16 satellites. The agreements were signed on October 23 in Rome and October 26 in Ottobrunn, awarding the work to prime industries Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space. Both companies have been under contract with ESA since 2021 to build six G2 satellites each.
Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity, stated that these contracts safeguard the continuity of Europe's satellite navigation services while responding to evolving user needs. He emphasized that the investment strengthens Europe's strategic autonomy, allowing the continent to navigate its future independently. Acting as the system design and qualification authority, ESA extended these contracts on behalf of the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) for the benefit of the European Union.
The four new satellites are scheduled for delivery in 2031, with launches planned immediately thereafter. They will be identical to the units currently under development, featuring fully digital navigation payloads, improved navigation antennas, inter-satellite link capacity, and advanced atomic clock configurations. These enhancements are designed to provide more robust and reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services.
Development of the first twelve G2 satellites is nearing completion, with system integration and compatibility testing currently underway. The first satellites are expected to undergo flight testing in 2027, paving the way for the initial G2 launch in 2028. Once operational, these Second Generation satellites will integrate seamlessly with the existing fleet of 38 First Generation satellites, all but four of which have already been launched. This integration aims to sustain Galileo's capabilities while increasing resilience and enabling a wide array of new applications for users globally.
Industry leaders expressed strong support for the expansion. Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, noted that the award reaffirms confidence in their ability to deliver one of Europe's most ambitious space programs, highlighting its role as a cornerstone of strategic autonomy. Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, added that the contract underscores their manufacturing expertise and commitment to augmenting navigation capabilities for European security and societal benefits.
Galileo remains the world's most precise satellite navigation system, serving billions of users since its Open Service launch in 2016. The program is managed and funded by the European Commission, with ESA leading design and development while EUSPA acts as the service provider responsible for operations and market connection.
Sources: ESA Space News.