VS26

Soyuz Flight VS26

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overview

Launch kit
Soyuz Flight VS26 PDF / 9 MB
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Press release
VS26: Galileo successfully expands his fleet with Arianespace
Launch date
December 4, 2021
Payload(s)
Galileo FOC-M9 (23-24), SAT 27-28
Launch vehicle
Soyuz
Launch site
Spaceport, French Guiana (Guiana Space Center)
Customer(s)
European Space Agency (ESA) acting on behalf of the European Commission
Prime contractor(s)
OHB-System
Orbit
Medium-Earth orbit
Status
Success

mission
description

Arianespace’s 13th launch of 2021 with the 8th Soyuz of the year will place its satellite passengers into medium Earth orbit. The launcher will be carrying a total payload of approximately 1 645 kg. The launch will be performed from Kourou, in French Guyana.

Washington, D.C. (Dec. 4)
07:19 PM
Kourou (Dec. 4)
09:19 PM
Universal time (UTC) (Dec. 5)
00:19
Paris (Dec. 5)
01:19 AM
Moscow (Dec. 5)
03:19 AM

Payload

Galileo FOC-M9 (23-24), SAT 27-28

Arianespace will orbit two more satellites, Galileo FOC-M9 (23-24), SAT 27-28, bringing the Galileo constellation fleet to 28 satellites after the launch. This mission will be performed for the benefit of the European Space Agency (ESA) acting on behalf of the European Commission.

Galileo is the European global satellite navigation system, operational since 2016. It is the sole satellite navigation system operated under civilian control. It offers high-precision positioning, navigation and timing services to more than 2,3 billion users worldwide. By offering dual frequencies as standard, Galileo is set to deliver real-time positioning accuracy down to the meter range. Being the largest European Union (EU) infrastructure initiative, Galileo is bringing strategic autonomy and sovereignty to the EU citizens and its Member States. Funded and fully owned by the European Union, designed by ESA and operated by the EU agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), it features innovative technologies developed by European industry for the benefit of all citizens.

The Galileo satellites are built by prime contractor OHB System, with the payloads supplied by UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), which is 99% owned by Airbus Defence and Space.

Out of 26 Galileo satellites already in orbit, 14 have been launched by Soyuz (produced by Progress Space Rocket Center, part of Roscosmos) between 2011 and 2016; and 12 by Ariane 5 between 2016 and 2018. VS26 will raise Galileo’s total fleet to 28 satellites and it continues with tomorrow’s flights onboard Soyuz and Ariane 62 to complete the first-generation deployment, starting with six additional Galileo FOC satellites, over the next years.

  • Galileo FOC-M9 will be the 61st mission (83rd and 84th satellites) to be launched by Arianespace for ESA.
  • Galileo FOC-M9 will be the 23rd and 24th FOC satellites to be launched by Arianespace for the European Commission.
  • Thanks to Galileo FOC-M9, Arianespace has launched 150 missions (180 satellites) for European institutions.
  • OHB, prime contractor of Galileo, is a reliant partner of Arianespace: Galileo FOC-M9 will be the 26th and 27th OHB satellites launched by Arianespace.

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