The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Airbus a contract to build two additional second-generation satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation system. The new order builds on six previously contracted satellites, bringing the total number of second-generation satellites to be manufactured by Airbus to eight.

The contract was awarded on behalf of the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), under a delegation from the European Commission. Production of the additional satellites will draw on Airbus’ existing capabilities, with sites in Backnang, Friedrichshafen, Getafe, Ottobrunn and Toulouse contributing to manufacturing, integration and testing.

The second generation of Galileo satellites, known as G2, will feature more powerful navigation antennas and improved system accuracy. The satellites will carry fully digital navigation payloads that can be reconfigured in orbit, enabling the introduction of new signals and services and adaptation to evolving user needs.

Each satellite will be equipped with an enhanced atomic clock configuration and inter-satellite links for communication and cross-checking data. Advanced anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities will help protect navigation signals. Each spacecraft will weigh more than two tonnes and have an expected operational lifetime of 15 years in orbit.

Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity, highlighted that the contracts safeguard the continuity of European satellite navigation services and strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy. Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, emphasised the importance of the new satellites in enhancing navigation capabilities for security and defence, as well as delivering wider societal benefits.

Galileo is the European Union’s flagship satellite navigation programme, funded by the EU and managed by the European Commission. ESA is responsible for the design, development and qualification of its space and ground segments, while EUSPA oversees service delivery and system operations, ensuring that Galileo meets market and user needs.