ESA: First Two Galileo Full Operational Capability satellites (SAT 5-6) during launch preparations

Credits: ESA–S. Corvaja, 2014

The first two Galileo Full Operational Capability satellites (SAT 5-6) during preparations inside the S5A building, before fuelling operations, on 30 July 2014. 

The launch of the two Galileo satellites, aboard a Soyuz rocket, is set for August 2014, from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. 

The definition, development and in-orbit validation phases of the Galileo programme were carried out by ESA and co-funded by ESA and the EU. 

The Full Operational Capability phase is managed and fully funded by the European Commission. 

The Commission and ESA have signed a delegation agreement by which ESA acts as design and procurement agent on behalf of the Commission. 

Credit: ESA