The European Union Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA) and Arianespace have signed a new contract for the launch of the second pair of Galileo Second Generation (G2) satellites with Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket launcher. The Galileo L18 mission marks the fifth launch of Ariane 6 in support of the Galileo program.
Ariane 6 successfully completed its inaugural Galileo mission on December 17, 2025, launching two Galileo satellites into orbit.
In addition, the Galileo control centers in Fucino and Oberpfaffnhofen now manage these satellites directly. In addition, two more Ariane 6 launches are planned to complete the first generation, followed by the Galileo L17 mission, which will deploy the first pair of second-generation satellites.
The EU previously relied on Elon Musk’s SpaceX to launch its strategic satellites; However, the return to the Ariane 6 launch vehicle is a crucial step in securing autonomous location services independent of the US Global Positioning System.
The development of second-generation (G2) Galileo satellites will deliver improved performance, resilience and future-proof capabilities. This ensures that the EU satellite navigation system remains a world-class asset serving both the public and authorities across Europe and the rest of the world.
