Galileo-IOV FM2 (Natalia)

Spacecraft nº:

ESA spacecraft nº: 75

Launch data: Designation  37847 / 11060B Launch date  21 Oct 2011 - 10:30 UT Launch site  Ko, ELS Launch vehicle  Soyuz-2-1B Fregat-MT Mission  Commercial: Navigation MEO Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  23242 x 23307 km Eccentricity  1,10E-03 Inclination  54.67 deg Period  846.98 min

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• GALILEO-PFM is a navigation satellite part of the European Union's Galileo program.
• 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.

Mission details:

• Europe's first two Galileo navigation satellites were launched on Oct 21, 2011. This was also the first Soyuz launch from the Centre Spatial Guyanais. The new Ensemble de Lancement Soyuz pad is a copy of the pads at Baykonur.
  The Soyuz ST-B launch vehicle is the Soyuz-2-1B variant; an uprated Fregat-MT upper stage was used for the first time.
• The two satellites have been given the nicknames Thijs and Natalia after competition winners Thijs Paerlman (B - b. 2000) and Natalia Nikolaeva (b. 2002).