Arianespace signs contract with the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), under...

Arianespace signs contract with the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), under the delegation of the European Commission, for the launch of the second pair of second-generation satellites of the Galileo constellation (Galileo L18), to be placed on-board an Ariane 6. The launch of Galileo L18 will represent Ariane 6's fifth mission benefiting Europe's Galileo constellation. Ariane 6 successfully accomplished its first mission for Galileo on December 17th, 2025, placing into orbit two Galileo satellites with the utmost accuracy. With Ariane 6, Arianespace services Europe's high-precision global navigation system and ensures its independent access to space. Arianespace announced today at the European Space Conference in Brussels the signature of the launch contract with the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), under the delegation of the European Commission, to orbit the second pair of second-generation satellites of the Galileo constellation (Galileo L18) on board an Ariane 6 launcher. With this signature, the European Commission and the EUSPA are formalizing the launch contract of Galileo L18, following the initial mission allocation to Arianespace made in April 2024. The launch of Galileo L18 will represent Ariane 6's fifth mission for Europe's high-precision global navigation satellite system. On December 17th, 2025, Ariane 6 successfully orbited for the first time, and with the utmost accuracy, a pair of satellites for Galileo (Galileo L14). Two other Ariane 6 launches are scheduled to complete the first-generation of Galileo satellites with the launch of the Galileo L15 and Galileo L16 missions. The fourth Galileo Ariane 6 flight will put into orbit the first pair of second-generation Galileo satellites (Galileo L17). David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, commented: “This signature with the European Commission and EUSPA underscores Arianespace's commitment to guaranteeing Europe's sovereign access to space. Just last month, the successful and precise launch of two Galileo satellites showcased Ariane 6's accuracy and relevance for such critical missions. We are extremely proud of our long-standing partnership with our European partners, which enables the flagship Galileo global navigation satellite system to provide high-precision positioning and services to governments, institutions, and citizens worldwide.” Rodrigo da Costa, EUSPA Executive Director, said: “This new launch contract builds on last year's first agreement for Galileo's second generation, demonstrating continuity and EUSPA's long-term commitment to its expanded role, including launch activities. It reinforces our responsibility for delivering precise and reliable services while strengthening the Union's space autonomy for users worldwide.” Timo Pesonen, Director-General of DEFIS, European Commission, said: “The Galileo programme is a cornerstone of Europe's strategic autonomy. This new launch contract, implemented by EUSPA with Arianespace under delegation of the European Commission, confirms our commitment to a robust, secure, and fully European navigation system, while Ariane 6 demonstrates Europe's capacity to guarantee reliable and independent access to space for critical infrastructures.”

Erfolgreicher Start von zwei weiteren Galileo-Navigationssatelliten

On December 17, 2025, with Ariane 6, Arianespace successfully placed into orbit a pair...

On December 17, 2025, with Ariane 6, Arianespace successfully placed into orbit a pair of Galileo satellites for the European Space Agency (ESA), on behalf of the European Commission and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). The satellites SAT 33 and SAT 34 are part of the 14th launch of the Galileo program (Galileo L14). Both join the constellation of first-generation Galileo satellites, to strengthen the precision, availability and robustness of Europe's navigation satellite system. The VA266 mission was the fifth launch of Ariane 6, Europe's heavy-lift launcher. It was performed with an Ariane 62 (two boosters). With this launch, Arianespace supports a critical European navigation satellite system and guarantees Europe's autonomous access to space. On December 17, 2025 at 2:01 a.m. local time (5:01 a.m. UTC, 6:01 a.m. CET), Arianespace successfully launched the pair of satellites, Galileo L14 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. The mission, called VA266, was the fifth flight of Ariane 6, Europe's heavy-lift launcher. It was performed with an Ariane 6 with two boosters, the Ariane 62, which has been successful since its inaugural flight in 2024. The satellites designated SAT 33 and SAT 34 were placed into a medium Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 22 922 km. Their separation occurred 3 hours and 55 minutes after lift-off. David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace stated: “As the first launch of Ariane 6 for the Galileo program, the launcher, which perfectly placed the Galileo SAT 33 and SAT 34 satellites into orbit, once again demonstrates its reliability and precision. This success strengthens the performance and resilience of Europe's own navigation system, delivering concrete benefits to billions of users worldwide. Our teams have once again demonstrated operational excellence, and we thank ESA, the European Commission and the EUSPA for their renewed trust. ”  “High precision, reliability, versatility, modularity: this is Ariane 6 signature. With five successful flights in less than 18 months, Ariane 6 is performing the fastest entry into service for a heavy launcher”, commented Martin Sion, CEO of ArianeGroup. “ArianeGroup teams are committed to deliver on the next steps of the production ramp-up in 2026, hand in hand with all our industrial partners across Europe” added Martin Sion. Ariane 6 once again demonstrates its versatility with a new payload configuration specifically designed for a Galileo-type mission. For the needs of this mission, the upper part of the launcher has been fully adapted by ArianeGroup. It consists of a short fairing, a light launch vehicle adaptor (LVA) used for the first time on an Ariane 6 flight, as well as a dispenser specific to the Galileo missions allowing a lateral attachment of the two satellites. Galileo is a flagship component of the EU Space Programme. Owned by the European Union, it is under the management of the European Commission. It delivers best-in-class performance for real-time positioning accuracy worldwide, down to the meter range. It also offers innovative capabilities for professional users, such as authentication of signals and high-accuracy services, along with additional dedicated governmental services. Since its inception, ESA has been leading the design, development and qualification of the space and ground systems, as well as procuring launches. The EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) acts as the service provider, overseeing the market and application needs and closing the loop with users.   The VA266 launch at a glance: 358th launch by Arianespace 5th Ariane 6 launch 7th launch operated by Arianespace in 2025 (4 launches with Ariane 6 and 3 launches with Vega C) 12th Galileo mission by Arianespace 41st and 42nd spacecraft built by OHB launched by Arianespace

Two – ESA Web TV

GNSS works on the Moon!

In a groundbreaking experiment, the Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment (LuGRE) has successfully acquired and tracked Galileo and GPS signals, during the BlueGhost 1 lander’s transit on the lunar surface. This achievement in space navigation sets new records for space-based GNSS tracking and positioning.

Praha je o krok blíž k výstavbě nového sídla Agentury Evropské unie pro Kosmický program

Rada hl. m. Prahy na svém pondělním jednání rozhodla o výběru dodavatele veřejné zakázky na transformaci budovy původního Centra Nová Palmovka na sídlo Agentury Evropské unie pro Kosmický program (EUSPA). Nový dodavatel, společnost GEOSAN GROUP, tak formou Design & Build vybuduje nové zázemí pro agenturu, která je nositelem klíčového vědeckého a technologického rozvoje a České republice může přinést zásadní hospodářský růst. Společnost GEOSAN GROUP, a. s. uspěla s nabídkovou cenou necelých 2,4 miliardy Kč bez DPH.