Galileo FOC-15, FOC-16, FOC-17, FOC-18Ariane 5 ES Arianespace Launch Status Success Tue · Dec 12th, 2017 1:36 PM EST Watch Online https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-yS61-jigg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZAN5ve00ao https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_971MYakv4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZD3pkMplpk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--L7wctaoOE Mission Galileo FOC-15, FOC-16, FOC-17, FOC-18 Type: Communications The Galileo constellation is ESA’s satellite navigation system and is expected to be completed by 2020. Galileo will provide Europe with an alternative to the American GPS and Russian GLONASS constellations, but will be interoperable with both systems. Location Ariane Launch Area 3 Kourou, French Guiana 151 launches have been at this location. Rocket Ariane 5 ES Length: 45.7 meters Diameter: 5.4 meters First Launched: March 9, 2008 The Ariane 5 ES (Evolution Storable) has an estimated LEO launch capacity of 21,000 kg (46,000 lb). It includes all the performance improvements of Ariane 5 ECA core and boosters but replaces the ESC-A second stage with the restartable EPS used on Ariane 5 GS variants. It was used to launch the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into a 260 km circular low Earth orbit inclined at 51.6° and has been used 3 times to launch 4 Galileo navigation satellites at a time directly into their operational orbit. The Ariane 5 ES flew 8 times from 2008 to 2018 with no failures. The Ariane 5 ES rocket has been launched a total of 8 times with 8 successful and 0 failed launches. Agency Arianespace Type: Commercial Abbreviation: ASA Administration: CEO: Stéphane Israël Founded: 1980 Launchers: Ariane 5 | Vega Spacecraft: Country: FRA Arianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America. View Rocket Launch Schedule