ESA Orders Four More Galileo Second Generation Satellites

The European Space Agency (ESA) has expanded existing contracts with Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space to procure four additional Galileo Second Generation (G2) satellites. This brings the total number of G2 satellites under contract to 16. These new satellites, expected to be delivered in 2031 and launched shortly thereafter, will feature fully digital navigation payloads, improved navigation antennas, inter-satellite links, and advanced atomic clock configurations. The first G2 launch is scheduled for 2028, complementing the existing first-generation fleet.