Update on Galileo launch injection anomaly

(Illustration of a Galileo satellite in orbit – Photo Credit: ESA/J. Huart)

On August 22nd, two Galileo navigation satellites were placed into the incorrect orbit around Earth following their launch, however the satellites have now deployed their solar arrays and are, reportedly, in good health.

Galileo launch rescheduled

(The Galileo satellites – Photo Credit: ESA/Arianespace)

Arianespace and the European Space Agency were forced to postpone the launch of Soyuz flight VS09, which would have carried Europe’s Galileo navigation satellites into medium-Earth orbit, due to unfavourable weather conditions over the Guiana Space Centre.

European Space Agency prepares for Galileo satellite launch

(Artist’s view of the Soyuz rocket carrying the two satellites into orbit – Photo Credit: ESA/J. Huart)

Final testing of the European Space Agency’s twin Galileo navigation satellites has been completed at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, signalling that the agency are on track to launch the duo into medium-Earth orbit on August 21st.