Evolution

IOV satellites

The first two operational Galileo satellites (GSAT0101, GSAT0102) were launched from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana in October 2011. This was followed by the launch of a second pair (GSAT0103, GSAT0104) in October 2012.

Once the In-Orbit Validation (IOV) phase is completed, all remaining satellites are placed in orbit at regular intervals to reach Full Operational Capability (FOC).

The Galileo IOV satellite
 Mass   about 700 kg 
 Size with solar wings stowed   3.02 x 1.58 x 1.59 m 
 Size with solar wings deployed   2.74 x 14.5 x 1.59 m 
 Design life   more than 12 years 
 Available power   1420 W (sunlight) / 1355 W (eclipse) 

 

 Orbit
 Altitude   23 222 km 
 Inclination  56° 

FOC satellites

The first pair of Galileo’s FOC satellites (GSAT0201, GSAT0202) was launched in August 2014. Despite having been injected into an incorrect orbit, these were moved to an improved orbit at the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015.

Subsequent FOC satellites were launched as follows:

  • GSAT0203, GSAT0204 – March 2015
  • GSAT0205, GSAT0206 – September 2015
  • GSAT0208, GSAT0209 – December 2015
  • GSAT0210, GSAT0211 – May 2016
  • GSAT0207, GSAT0212, GSAT0213, GSAT0214 – November 2016
  • GSAT0215, GSAT0216, GSAT0217, GSAT0218 – December 2017
  • GSAT0219, GSAT0220, GSAT0221, GSAT0222 – July 2018
  • GSAT0223, GSAT0224 – December 2021
  • GSAT0225, GSAT0227 – April 2024
  • GSAT0226, GSAT0232 – September 2024

OS FOC satellites offer improved performance with respect to IOV satellites.

The Galileo FOC satellite's main characteristics 
Mass About 733 kg
Size with solar wings stowed 2.91 x 1.7 x 1.4 m
Size with solar wings deployed 2.5 x 14.67 x 1.1 m
Design life 12+ years
Available power 1900 W
Main orbital parameters
Altitude 23 222 km
Inclination 56°

Check the number of operational satellites

Galileo Satellite Metadata