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ESA adds four Galileo second-generation satellites, taking planned fleet to 16

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ESA, acting for the European Commission, has contracted four additional Galileo Second Generation positioning, navigation and timing satellites, extending contracts with Airbus and Thales Alenia Space for two spacecraft each. The additions bring the planned fleet to 16; the original 12 were ordered in 2021, with launches scheduled to begin in 2028 and the new satellites slated for 2031.

Discovered 2026-10-27T03:35:19.729165-07:00 | 2026-10-27T03:35:19.729165-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The procurement expands Galileo’s planned second-generation fleet from 12 to 16 satellites, supporting continuity of the European positioning, navigation and timing constellation and its future services.
  • Airbus and Thales Alenia Space each receive work for two additional satellites, extending industrial activity on a strategic European space infrastructure program.

Reported By

hartpunkt.de Space Intel Report indiastrategic.in ESA
Sources Tracked
4
First Seen
2026-10-27T03:35:19.729165-07:00
Latest Update
2026-10-27T05:45:39.080485-07:00
Coverage
Space

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