European Space Agency confirms Galileo navigation satellites failed to reach correct orbit following launch

(The satellites’ successful lift off – Photo Credit: ESA/Arianespace)

On August 22nd, a Soyuz VS09 rocket launched two Galileo navigation satellites from the European Space Agency’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The rocket was scheduled to propel the duo into medium-Earth orbit, however the ESA have now confirmed that an anomaly occurred during flight and the satellites were not inserted into their correct trajectories.

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.