Galileo
The Galileo satellite navigation system will consist of a total of 30 spacecraft in three planes in medium Earth orbit, which will each be occupied by nine satellites, and with three spares satellites distributed on the three orbital planes. At an altitude of 23,616 kilometers and an inclination of 56 degrees, the system will provide accurate positioning data to users as far north as 75 degrees longitude.
Although similar in design to the American GPS system and the Russian GLONASS navigation network, Galileo will be under the control of strictly civilian organizations. Galileo is the first joint program to be shared between the European Space Agency and the European Union and aims to be fully operational by 2008.
The satellites will probably be based on the Proteus bus and will be launched in clusters.
| Nation: |
Europe |
| Type / Application: |
Navigation |
| Operator: Opérateur |
ESA |
| Contractors / Constructeur |
Alcatel Space |
| Equipment |
|
| Configuration |
Proteus Bus |
| Propulsion |
|
| Lifetime / Durée de vie |
|
| Operatinal / Opérationnel |
2008  |
| Mass / Masse |
640 kg |
| Orbit / Orbite |
23616 km x 23616 km, 56° |
