Arianespace launches two Galileo satellites for Europe on Dec. 4. Photo: Arianespace

Arianespace’s latest launch brings Europe’s Galileo constellation to 38 satellites. On Saturday, December 4, a Soyuz launcher successfully orbited two satellites for Europe’s Galileo constellation. The Soyuz rocket launched from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana on Saturday at 9:19 p.m. local time. 

After the launch, the European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed the solar panels for the satellites successfully deployed. 

Galileo is the global navigation satellite system that is fully financed and owned by the European Union. It provides high-precision positioning, navigation and timing services to more than 2.3 billion users worldwide. These satellites were built by OHB System. 

The European Commission manages Galileo, with the European Space Agency (ESA) overseeing its development and ground segment, and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) overseeing its operations and service provision.

“Arianespace is proud to guarantee a secure and autonomous access to space with the deployment of Galileo, marking another step towards European independence in satellite navigation,” commented Arianespace CEO Stéphane Israël. 

Arianespace is now preparing to launch the James Webb Space Telescope for NASA on Dec. 22.