Galileo satellites will have “no risk to the public” – RTL.fr

AFP / JODY AMIET

A Soyuz rocket, carrying two Galileo satellites, took off from Kourou in French Guiana on 12 October 2012 (archives)

Although an “anomaly” has prevented them from reaching the planned orbit, the two satellites of the European Galileo navigation system Friday launched “are stable and exhibit no risk to the public , “said Arianespace this Saturday, August 23.

According to preliminary analyzes,” an anomaly may have occurred during the flight phase of the Fregat upper stage , leading to an injection of satellites in orbit improper , “said the company responsible for launching in a statement.

The first part the mission was successful

Arianespace launched on August 22 from French Guiana a Russian Soyuz carrying two satellites of the Galileo constellation. Takeoff and the first part of the mission were normal. “It’s not that after the separation of satellites , and delayed time, the progressive use of information provided by the telemetry stations of ESA and CNES revealed that the reached orbit was not consistent with that expected, “said Arianespace.

The orbit was circular, inclined at 55 degrees with a semi-major axis of 29,900 km. Reached orbit is elliptical with an eccentricity of 0.23, a semi-major axis of 26,200 km and an inclination of 49.8 degrees.

The causes of the yet unknown anomaly

“It is too early to know the cause of this anomaly. But it led to an error injection satellites that have not joined the target orbit, “said to the AFP by phone Stéphane Israel, CEO of Arianespace, which was at Kourou. ESA, the European Space Agency, the Galileo background and controls the satellites must now see how it can try correct this error path .

Data analysis is ongoing and coordinated by the CEO of Arianespace, in collaboration with Russian partners and ESA.

The upcoming launch of Galileo suspended in survey

Arianespace will mandate Monday in association with ESA and the European Commission, a independent commission of inquiry to identify the specific causes of the anomaly and “draw the consequences and remedial actions for a return to flight safely and in a timely manner of the Soyuz launcher from the Guiana Space Center (CSG).” This commission will work in coordination with the Russian Soyuz program partners in Guyana.

“While it is too early to determine the precise causes, we want to apologize to ESA and the European Commission for this injection of improper orbit, “said Stéphane Israel.

A new Galileo satellite launch by a Soyuz is expected in December. But we must await the outcome of the inquiry as to whether the date can be maintained. “Arianespace is determined to act as quickly as space ambitions of the European Union in the framework of the Galileo program,” said Stéphane Israel.

Writing recommends