https://ariane.cnes.fr/en/live-ariane-5 ... ember-2017
The launch is scheduled for 1:36:07 p.m. EST on December 12, 2017.
Each GALILEO satellite weighs 715-kg or about 1,576-lbs. The four Full-Operational-Capability (FOC) satellites, GALILEO 19, 20, 21, and 22, are mounted on a dispenser device, and then carried in a fairing. The total launch payload is 3,282-kg or 7,236-lbs. The GALILEO satellites are built by a partnership of OHB of Germany (spacecraft) and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd of England (navigation payload).
The target orbits are for an inclination of 56-degrees and a 22,922-km altitude, slightly lower than the final GALILEO orbit. The GALILEO constellation uses three orbital planes separated by 120-degrees of their ascending node (currently 317°, 77°, and 197° for the A/B/C planes, respectively). These satellites are heading for the Plane A orbit. The four satellites will separate from the dispenser in pairs 20-minutes apart, then will be lifted into their final orbits by individual maneuvers to reach 23,222-km altitude (14,430-miles). This plan leaves the spent rocket booster in a safe (lower) "graveyard" orbit. The position of the orbital plane is determined by the launch timing. All four satellite will enter the same orbital plane. In each orbital plane the constellation will have eight operational satellites, spaced at 45-degree intervals, and two in-orbit spare satellites. Thus the full GALILEO constellation will have 30 satellites in orbit. With this launch, if all works as planned, the constellation will have 19 operational satellites in orbit. This launch will be the second time that four GALILEO satellites have been carried to orbit by a single rocket booster. The previous four-satellite launch was in November 2016. The cost for these four satellite is estimated to be around $327-million. The four-satellite payload represents more than $1.35-billion in satellite costs.
A wonderfully illustrated and very informative packet of information about the launch and the satellites is available for download for readers who need more details.
GALILEO has been in status INITIAL SERVICES since December 2016, or about a year. The successful launch and operation of these four additional satellites will increase availability of GALILEO.
A number of newer smartphones are now capable of receiving and using the navigation signals from the GALILEO constellation. Here is a list:
- Apple: iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 10/X
BQ: Aquaris V Plus, Aquaris V, Aquaris X5 Plus, Aquaris X, Aquaris X Pro
Google: Pixel 2, Google Pixel 2 XL
Huawei: P10 plus, Mate 9 pro, P10, Mate 10 Pro, Mate 9
LG: V30
Mediatek: Meizu Pro 7 Plus, Meizu Pro 7
Motorola: Moto X4
Nokia: Nokia 8
Oneplus: Oneplus5
Samsung: S8, S8+, Note 8
Sony: Xperia XZ Premium
Vernee: Apollo 2
Several marine GNSS receivers are also ready for GALILEO signals, including
- Furuno: GP 170
Garmin: GPS 19x
Lowrance: POINT-1
Simrad: GS25