Future Galileo launches suspended until 2015

[Darren]

The ESA and the European Commission have decided to postpone the planned December launch of two more Galileo satellites. This decision has been made despite the findings of an enquiry that the August failure was caused by an easily correctable design flaw due to continuing concerns about the Soyuz launch vehicle.

As we have previously reported, the two satellites needed up in a bad orbit as a result of a frozen fuel pipe responsible for the delivery of hydrazine to thrusters necessary to align the Fregat upper stage ready for correct orbital injection.

Both satellites also suffered issues with solar panel deployment. Whilst these issues may have been caused by the incorrect orbit, investigations are continuing to confirm the cause.

Meanwhile work continues to protect the two satellites that are now in an incorrect orbit. A series of manoeuvres is planned for Oct/Nov to to raise the perigee of their orbit and remove them from the Van Allen radiation belt. Unfortunately there is insufficient full on board for the satellites to be moved into the correct orbits.

Source: Arianespace.com

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Darren Griffin

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