Press Release
Tuesday 1st October 2009
First Galileo satellite makes way for operational satellites
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has successfully completed the planned
repositioning of the first Galileo test satellite, GIOVE-A, to a higher orbit to make way for
the operational satellites of Europe’s satellite navigation constellation.
From the GIOVE-A operational headquarters in Guildford, UK, SSTL’s operating team
executed a series of precisely planned manoeuvres during July and August that have
repositioned the satellite 113km above the orbit that the 27 operational Galileo
navigation satellites will occupy.
Since its launch in December 2005, GIOVE-A has achieved all of its mission objectives
and remains in excellent condition well beyond its design life of 2 years. The test
satellite has secured the Galileo frequency filings with the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), facilitated the experimental reception of navigation
signals from Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and collected data to characterise the MEO
environment using two different radiation-monitoring instruments. The mission has also
flight-proven the main technologies developed for Galileo such as the highly accurate
atomic clocks.
GIOVE-A remains fully operational, and has sufficient propellant remaining for further
manoeuvres. During transit to its new orbit, the Galileo navigation signal broadcasting
was temporarily suspended because the precise orbit determination that is required to
generate usable navigation data for the GNSS user community was not possible, There
are two optimal windows during the year to perform repositioning manoeuvres. No
further manoeuvres are planned in the current window, therefore the payload has been
successfully switched on again and the spacecraft has now resumed broadcasting
navigation signals from its new orbit.
A further repositioning exercise may be performed to raise the orbit higher still before
GIOVE-A is finally de-commissioned.
GIOVE-A was developed and manufactured by SSTL within a 30-month, 28m Euro
contract. SSTL continues to operate the satellite from its Guildford, UK facilities and has
also undertaken or contributed to the GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B testing programmes that
are the foundations of the future Galileo satellite navigation system and the operational
satellite development.
OHB and SSTL jointly form one of the two consortia now bidding for the development
and construction of 28 satellites for the operational Galileo service. By allowing two
consortia to build spacecraft for this important European undertaking, ESA and the EU
would ensure that the full operational capability can be put in place as soon as possible
and at best value to the taxpayer. The system is to be fully operational by 2013 following
full contract signature expected in late 2009.
About SSTL
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is the world's leading small satellite
company, delivering operational space missions for a range of applications including
Earth observation, science and communications. The company design, manufacture
and operate high performance satellites and ground systems for a fraction of the price
normally associated with spacecraft, with 300 staff working on turnkey satellite
platforms, space-proven satellite subsystems and optical instruments.
Since 1981 SSTL has launched 34 satellites as well as providing training and
development programmes, consultancy services, and mission studies for ESA, NASA
and commercial customers, changing the economics of space.
Based in Guildford, UK, SSTL is owned by EADS Astrium NV.
www.sstl.co.uk
Notes to editor:
This press release can be downloaded as a Word or Pdf document at the following url:
http://www.sstl.co.uk/News_and_events/Latest_News
SSTL Contact:
Audrey Nice, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited
Tel: +44 (0)1483 804200 Email: [email protected]
Press Contact:
Robin Wolstenholme, Ballard Communications Management (BCM)
Tel: +44 (0)1306 882288 Email: [email protected]