Galileo L3 (FOC FM01-FM02)
Soyuz STB Fregat
Arianespace
Rocket Launch Video
Mission
Galileo L3 (FOC FM01-FM02)
- Type: Navigation
- Orbit: Medium Earth Orbit
These are the first two Full Operational Capability satellites of the Galileo constellation, 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.
Satellites were placed into an incorrect orbit due to an anomaly with the Fregat upper stage. Both payloads recovered using their own propulsion.
Location
Soyuz Launch Complex
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Soyuz Launch Complex has witnessed the launch of 26 rockets, including 26 orbital launch attempts. While Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, has been the site for 323 rocket launches.
The Guiana Space Centre is a European spaceport to the northwest of Kourou in French Guiana, a region of France in South America. Kourou is located at a latitude of 5°. In operation since 1968, it is a suitable location for a spaceport because of its equatorial location and open sea to the east.
Rocket
Progress Rocket Space Center Soyuz STB Fregat
The 2.1b version adds an upgraded engine (RD-0124) with improved performance to the second stage. First launch took place from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 on 26 July 2008 with a classified military payload.
The 2.1b/ST version is sometimes called Soyuz ST-B.
Agency
Arianespace
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.
