Home PageFacebookRSS News Feed
PocketGPS
Web
SatNav,GPS,Navigation
Pocket GPS World - SatNavs | GPS | Speed Cameras: Forums

Pocket GPS World :: View topic - Two Galileo satellites placed into the wrong orbit
 Forum FAQForum FAQ   SearchSearch   UsergroupsUsergroups   ProfileProfile   Log in for private messagesLog in for private messages   Log inLog in 

Two Galileo satellites placed into the wrong orbit

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Pocket GPS World Forum Index -> News And Latest Information
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
MikeB
Frequent Visitor


Joined: 20/08/2002 11:51:57
Posts: 3859
Location: Essex, UK

PostPosted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 2:04 pm    Post subject: Two Galileo satellites placed into the wrong orbit Reply with quote

pocketgpsworld.com
Last week saw the launch of a Soyuz rocket from French Guiana carrying the first pair of the Full Operation Capability Galileo navigation satellites. The launch seemed to go perfectly as expected from the Soyuz workhorse and the European Space Agency's equatorial spaceport. Indeed the launch team reported a successful mission.

Unfortunately when the Galileo navigation satellites deployed and started sending signals back to the ground stations an analysis of the data provided by the launch tracking ground stations showed that the satellites were not deployed in the expected orbits. The targeted orbit was circular, inclined at 55 degrees with a semi major axis of 29,900 kilometers. The satellites are now in an elliptical orbit, with excentricity of 0.23, a semi major axis of 26,200 km and inclined at 49.8 degrees.

This is being classified by ESA and Arianespace as a "Major Anomaly". It has been determined that the Soyuz booster did perform correctly and that the fault lies with the Fregat upper stage. The Fregat is responsible for boosting the satellites into their final orbit. A commission has been set up to investigate and recommend remedial action . The commission will have a multi-discipline makeup with representatives from ESA, Arianespace, University specialists, Galileo, CNES and Roscosmos. In the mean time the Soyuz launch vehicles are grounded at the European Space Port in French Guiana.

It is not clear at this time if the satellites can be recovered and placed into the correct orbits using the onboard propulsion systems. Even if this were possible it would almost certainly mean a reduced life expectancy for the spacecraft.

Although this is a serious setback to the Galileo program the bulk of the remaining FOC satellites were contracted to be deployed using an Ariane 5 launcher in 2015. The Ariane 5 is capable of launching 4 Galileo satellites in the payload for each launch. Should the Soyuz issue not be resolved then additional Ariane 5 launches could make up the deficit.
email icon

_________________
Mike Barrett
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Davidonly
Regular Visitor


Joined: Apr 28, 2014
Posts: 67
Location: Cambridge UK

PostPosted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very uneasy about the implications to personal choice (road charging orbital enforcement of speed limits etc) from allowing our control freak chums in Brussels to launch this vanity project - using OUR Money!

Did anyone ask for this massive waste of investment? GPS is adequate!!

Hope a few more blow up/get lost in space to be honest.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
MikeB
Frequent Visitor


Joined: 20/08/2002 11:51:57
Posts: 3859
Location: Essex, UK

PostPosted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 8:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Davidonly wrote:
Very uneasy about the implications to personal choice (road charging orbital enforcement of speed limits etc) from allowing our control freak chums in Brussels to launch this vanity project - using OUR Money!

Did anyone ask for this massive waste of investment? GPS is adequate!!

Hope a few more blow up/get lost in space to be honest.

Indeed GPS is adequate until the US decide it is in their best interest to deny it from us. We have been living too long with the free service from a foreign entity over which we have no control. Surely it is time that we took matters in our own hands and used our own systems?
_________________
Mike Barrett
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
M8TJT
The Other Tired Old Man
The Other Tired Old Man


Joined: Apr 04, 2006
Posts: 10118
Location: Bexhill, South Sussex, UK

PostPosted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 9:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Davidonly wrote:
Hope a few more blow up/get lost in space to be honest.
And waste our money just the same but have absolutely nothing to show for it? Rolling Eyes
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Davidonly
Regular Visitor


Joined: Apr 28, 2014
Posts: 67
Location: Cambridge UK

PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 4:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

M8TJT wrote:
Davidonly wrote:
Hope a few more blow up/get lost in space to be honest.
And waste our money just the same but have absolutely nothing to show for it? Rolling Eyes


price of freedom I'm afraid.

I sincerely doubt the US will ever deprive the world of GPS access
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
alan_sh
Lifetime Member


Joined: Aug 25, 2005
Posts: 545
Location: UK

PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

And if they did - I'm sure we would cope.

Alan
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
MaFt
Pocket GPS Staff
Pocket GPS Staff


Joined: Aug 31, 2005
Posts: 15125
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire

PostPosted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 12:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't forget that the Galileo system has the fantastic Search & Rescue capability too. It's not just 'copying' the American system, it far better than theirs.

MaFt
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website







Posted: Today    Post subject: Pocket GPS Advertising

Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Pocket GPS World Forum Index -> News And Latest Information All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Make a Donation



CamerAlert Database

Click here for the PocketGPSWorld.com Speed Camera Database

Download Speed Camera Database
22.034 (27 Mar 24)



WORLDWIDE SPEED CAMERA SPOTTERS WANTED!

Click here to submit camera positions to the PocketGPSWorld.com Speed Camera Database


12mth Subscriber memberships awarded every week for verified new camera reports!

Submit Speed Camera Locations Now


CamerAlert Apps



iOS QR Code






Android QR Code







© Terms & Privacy


GPS Shopping