The European Commission and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) to entrust Arianespace with the launch of the first four second-generation satellites for the Galileo constellation on-board two Ariane 6. For Arianespace these will be the 15th and 16th launches specifically for Galileo. They supplement the three missions already on the books, to complete the deployment of the first-generation satellites. Since 2011, Arianespace has launched 28 Galileo satellites from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The European Commission and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) will entrust Arianespace with the launch of four new satellites for the Galileo navigation constellation. This order brings to five the total number of launches scheduled on-board Ariane 6 for Europe’s ultra-high performance Galileo satellite navigation system: the last three launches of pairs of first-generation satellites (L14-L15-L16) and the first two pairs of the second generation (L17-L18). These two additional launches are scheduled in 2026 and 2027 and will carry the first four second-generation Galileo satellites in pairs. Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space are each building six satellites, which together will form the first second-generation fleet. The satellites, each weighing about 2,000 kg and equipped with electrical propulsion, will then reach the Galileo constellation’s operational orbit (at an altitude of 23,222 km). As the first joint infrastructure produced and financed by the European Union, which is also the owner, the European Commission has overall responsibility for the programme. It contains innovative technologies developed by Europe for the citizens of the entire world. Galileo's design and system evolution, along with the technical development of its infrastructure, are entrusted to ESA. The European Commission has delegated the operational management of the Galileo programme to the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), which is responsible for the deployment, maintenance and minor evolutions of the Galileo system. EUSPA also ensures that Galileo services are delivered with the defined performance and without interruption.” “I would like to thank the European Commission and EUSPA for once again demonstrating their trust in Arianespace for the deployment of their satellite-based global navigation system. Ariane 6 is reaching the final milestones leading up to its first flight this summer, which enables us to envisage resumption of deployment of the Galileo constellation from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana in 2025. In this context, the decision by the European Commission and EUSPA is a strong commitment to Europe’s future heavy launcher. Arianespace reaffirms its commitment to guaranteeing reliable and sovereign access to space for Europe”, said Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace.

  Key milestones towards inaugural flight:On the way towards the first flight of Ariane 6, these milestones have been conducted since the last joint update: 12 April 2024: Upper stage firing test, Lampoldshausen, GermanyThe last hot firing test (HFT-5) of the Ariane 6 upper stage was completed successfully on April 12 at the German Aerospace Center DLR P5.2 test stand in Lampoldshausen. The aim of this test was to gather further data for future Ariane 6 missions after its inaugural flight. The test focused on demonstrating operation of the upper stage under non-nominal conditions (deviations from the normal operating conditions expected during flight), notably of the APU (Auxiliary Propulsion Unit) which is unique hardware that allows Ariane 6 to be a versatile launcher and launch a diverse roster of missions. DLR and ArianeGroup teams carried out a test sequence profile that included loading the stage tanks and preparing it for flight. The test included three long APU boosts that lasted for a total duration of 66 minutes.This test follows from a test in December 2023. The success of this last test concludes the hot-firing test campaign on the upper stage. 24 April 2024: Transfer and verticalisation of central core, Kourou, French GuianaThe Ariane 6 flight model-1 central core was transferred from the launcher assembly building to the launch pad where it was lifted to its vertical launch position for further assembly.  25-26 April 2024: Transfer of the boosters to the launch pad, Kourou, French GuianaThe two boosters for the Ariane 6 flight model-1 were transported on 25 and 26 April to the launch zone, where operations have started to connect them to the central core.  Next milestones: Inaugural launch campaign  End april: Ariane 6 qualification review, Les Mureaux, FranceThe conclusion of final all-encompassing review of the Ariane 6 launcher and launch system is to be delivered after a four-week intensive work.. This is the final qualification review of the complete launcher system and launch system. The results are to be announced at the beginning of May.  May 2024: Payloads arrive in Kourou, French GuianaThe passengers for the first Ariane 6 are set to arrive, ready for integration in May.  First flight periodESA, CNES and ArianeGroup are targeting the first launch of Ariane 6 between 15 June and 31 July 2024. Ariane 6 is an all-new design, created to succeed Ariane 5 as Europe's heavy-lift launch system. With Ariane 6's upper stage restart capability, Europe's launch capability will be tailored to the needs of multiple payload missions, for example to orbit satellite constellations. This autonomous capability to reach Earth orbit and deep space supports Europe's navigation, Earth observation, scientific and security programmes. Ongoing development of Europe's space transportation capabilities is made possible by the sustained dedication of thousands of talented people working in ESA's 22 Member States.