NEWSBRIEFS – Galileo Update

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First Galileo satellite repositioned

Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL), UK, has completed the repositioning of the first Galileo test satellite, GIOVE-A, to a higher orbit to make way for the operational satellites of Europe’s satellite navigation constellation. From the GIOVE-A operational headquarters, the operating team executed a series of precisely planned manoeuvres during July and August that have repositioned the satellite 113km above the orbit that the 27 operational Galileo navigation satellites will occupy. www.sstl.co.uk

Osmógrafo- The winner of the 2009 European Satellite Navigation Competition

The grand prize winner of the 2009 European Satellite Navigation Competition, Osmógrafo®, combines satellite positioning with wind measurement and rescue dogs’ sense of smell in order to better determine which areas have already been covered by search teams. For this system – which was developed as part of the sixth framework programme of the European Commission – the Spanish company GMV was chosen as the Madrid regional winner and also received the special topic prize for the best safety-of-life application from Imade, the Madrid aerospace cluster and other sponsoring partners like Deimos and INDRA. The ESNC’s international jury concurred, naming the Osmógrafo® the competition’s overall winner. José Caro Ramon was in attendance at the Munich Residenz to accept all three awards on behalf of GMV. www.galileo-masters.eu

Launch of Galileo IOV Satellites delayed

Four Galileo in-orbit validation (IOV) satellites scheduled to launch in 2010 have already missed their first pad date. The European version of Russia’s Soyuz rocket is now scheduled to carry the four IOV satellites into orbit in two launches in November 2010 and early 2011, as announced by European Space Agency (ESA) Director- General Jean-Jacques Dordain in October. The European Union and ESA plan to select a builder for the remaining 28 satellites late this year. Final bids from 11 companies bidding for on six Galileo work packages are expected in November. www.esa.int

European Commission reduces Galileo Satellite order

The European Commission has reduced the number of satellites it expects to order this year for the Galileo program to 22. The reduced order is being done to preserve the ability to modify the spacecraft design early in the system’s life, according to European government and industry officials. The decision also allows the commission to save money and stay within the project’s budget. The commission had asked the two final Galileo bidders — consortia led by Astrium Satellites and OHB System — to bid for 28 to 30 satellites, but the order is now for a maximum of 22 spacecraft. The commission has asked both bidders to quote prices for eight and 16 satellites as well, in case it decides to divide the work between the two consortia. Best-and-final offers are due in mid-November, with a decision scheduled for late December. The commission had budgeted 840 million euros ($1.24 billion) for the contract to build the Galileo satellites when it wanted 28 to 30 satellites. Officials said the bids they have received so far appear in line with that estimate. www.esa.int