The European Galileo satellite navigation system Galileo has now two satellites more: new satellites have joined the constellation after a journey on a Falcon 9 rocket, launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 18 September at 00:50 CEST.
Galileo is currently the world’s most precise satellite navigation system, serving over four billion smartphone users around the globe since entering Open Service in 2017.
All smartphones sold in the European Single Market are now guaranteed Galileo-enabled. In addition, Galileo is making a difference across the fields of rail, maritime, agriculture, financial timing services and rescue operations.
The 13th launch in the Galileo programme, performed by SpaceX under contract with ESA, has taken Galileo satellites number 31 and 32 (FM26 and FM32) to medium Earth orbit, extending the constellation to make it more robust and resilient. In the coming weeks, the new satellites will reach their final destination at 23 222 km, where they will be tested prior to starting operations.
Read more about the launch and Galileo: www.euspa.europa.eu/newsroom-events/news/two-new-galileo-satellites-added