Airbus Begins Production of Galileo Second Generation Satellites in Germany

Arrival of the Galileo to the Friedrichshafen cleanroom – Copyright Airbus

(IN BRIEF) Airbus has commenced full-scale production of the Galileo Second Generation (G2) satellites at its facility in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The first satellite flight model structure has arrived from Beyond Gravity in Zurich and will undergo final integration and testing in Friedrichshafen. Airbus plans to launch the Galileo G2 satellites in the coming years to support the initial deployment and validation of the G2 System, enhancing the European Global Navigation Satellite System’s accuracy and services. The modular production approach involves three satellites being produced in parallel at various Airbus sites, with improved navigation antennas and digital payloads for reconfiguration in orbit. These satellites aim to offer precise positioning worldwide for 15 years.

(PRESS RELEASE) FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, 3-Dec-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Full production has begun on the six Galileo Second Generation (G2) satellites at Airbus’ site in Friedrichshafen, Germany, with the arrival of the first satellite Flight Model structure from Beyond Gravity in Zurich. After initial preparation the panels will be dispatched to other Airbus sites before final integration and testing at Friedrichshafen. The Galileo G2 satellites are scheduled for launch in the coming years to support the initial deployment and validation of the G2 System.

Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, said: “After the successful design phase we are now kicking off production in earnest of the state-of-the-art Galileo G2 satellites. Our teams in Friedrichshafen are working with engineers across Europe to meet the challenging schedule and finalise these sophisticated satellites which will further improve the global Galileo system opening up even more opportunities for services on Earth.”

The G2 satellites will incorporate enhanced navigation antennas which will help improve accuracy of the flagship European Global Navigation Satellite System. The spacecraft, equipped with electric propulsion for the first time and higher-strength navigation antennas, will also feature fully digital payloads which will be easily reconfigured in orbit, enabling them to actively respond to the evolving needs of users with novel signals and services.

The above 2 tons satellites, which benefit from Airbus’ heritage of the highly reliable Eurostar series of telecommunications satellites, will also incorporate six (rather than four) enhanced atomic clocks as well as inter-satellite links, enabling them to communicate and cross-check with one another. This is intended to offer decimetre-scale precision positioning for users around the world. They will be controllable with an increased data rate to and from the ground and equipped with advanced jamming and spoofing protection mechanisms to safeguard Galileo signals. The spacecraft will operate in orbit for 15 years.

The Full Operational Capability phase of the Galileo programme is managed and funded by the European Union. The European Commission and ESA have signed an agreement by which ESA acts as design authority and system development prime on behalf of the Commission. The views expressed in this Press Release can in no way be taken to reflect the opinion of the European Union and/or ESA. “Galileo” is registered as a trademark in the database of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (n° 002742237).

Media contacts:

Ralph Heinrich
Head of External Communications – Airbus Space Systems
Phone: +49 171 304 9751
ralph.heinrich@airbus.com

Jeremy Close
External Communications – Airbus Space Systems, UK
Phone: +44 776 653 6572
jeremy.close@airbus.com

Guilhem Boltz
External Communications – Airbus Space Systems, France
Phone: +33 6 34 78 14 08
guilhem.g.boltz@airbus.com

Francisco Lechón
External Communications – Airbus Space Systems, Spain
Phone: +34 630 196 993
francisco.lechon@airbus.com

SOURCE: AIRBUS