The European Galileo navigation system, known for its precision, is preparing for the Second Generation (G2), which will enhance positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities.
The Second Generation fleet will consist of two different satellite families developed in parallel. Both models underwent assessment by ESA-led Critical Design Review (CDR) boards, where independent experts verified the satellites' design robustness and technical capabilities.
The CDR boards, including experts from ESA, EUSPA, and the European Commission, confirmed that both Galileo Second Generation satellite designs meet the full mission profile, can be operated from the Galileo ground segment, and are compatible with the Ariane 6 launcher.
The first board reviewed the Thales Alenia Space satellite design on 18 April, while the second examined the Airbus Defence and Space design on 16 May. Both meetings were held at ESA ESTEC in the Netherlands, after preparatory meetings at the respective industry offices.
Eric Villette and Alberto Bramante, who manage the two G2 Space Segment contracts, described the ESA CDR process. "It is structured around peer review panels led by independent technical experts from ESA specialised in satellite design," explains Villette. Bramante adds, "The review is based on design descriptions, analyses, test plans, and test results made available by the industrial consortia."
Galileo Second Generation satellites will feature fully digital navigation payloads, electric propulsion, a more powerful navigation antenna, inter-satellite link capacity, and an advanced atomic clock configuration. Their architecture will offer high flexibility.
G2 production is ramping up, with industry manufacturing onboard equipment and satellite structures, and teams preparing to assemble and integrate the components in the proto-flight models.
The first satellite compatibility test campaigns will validate communication between the satellites and the ground segment in the coming months.
Head of the Galileo Programme Office, Miguel Manteiga, expressed gratitude to the teams involved in the satellite CDR process, saying, "It is remarkable to see how, when faced with the most exigent requirements for GNSS satellite systems in history, European industry can answer in time to deliver a state-of-the-art design. We are really looking forward to ramping up manufacturing and to starting the System Compatibility Test campaigns with satellites, ground segment and Galileo receivers."
Currently, the Galileo constellation has 30 First Generation satellites in orbit, with an additional eight ready for launch, two in September and six more starting in 2025. Second Generation launches will begin before the end of this decade.
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