Airbus wins contract to build two more Galileo satellites

The European Space Agency has awarded Airbus a contract to build two additional second-generation Galileo satellites, expanding an existing order of six spacecraft.

The contract was awarded by ESA on behalf of the EU Agency for the Space Programme, under a delegation from the European Commission. The new satellites will use existing manufacturing capabilities from the current production program.

"With these contracts, ESA and European industry are safeguarding the continuity of Europe’s satellite navigation services, responding to the evolving needs of users, and strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy," said Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity.

Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, said the award "underscores Airbus’ satellite manufacturing expertise" and that the company is "committed to delivering these next-generation satellites which are vital to augment navigation capabilities for European security and defence and wider societal benefits."

The second-generation satellites will feature enhanced navigation antennas to improve accuracy of the European Global Navigation Satellite System. The spacecraft will include fully digital payloads that can be reconfigured in orbit, allowing them to respond to changing user requirements with new signals and services.

Airbus will use its production facilities across multiple European sites, including Backnang near Stuttgart, Friedrichshafen, Getafe near Madrid, Ottobrunn, and Toulouse.

Each satellite will weigh more than two tonnes and is designed to operate for 15 years. The spacecraft will include an enhanced atomic clock configuration and inter-satellite links for data communication and verification. They will also feature anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities.

Galileo is funded by the European Union and managed by the European Commission. ESA leads the design, development and qualification of space and ground systems and handles launch procurement.