Europe has given fresh momentum to its Galileo navigation system following the successful launch on December 17 of two new satellites aboard an Ariane 6 rocket. This launch, the fourteenth of the program (L14), is one of the final three planned launches of first-generation (G1G) satellites. The new satellites will strengthen the global positioning, navigation, and timing services provided by the system.

The launch comes at a critical moment for the constellation, which faces the need to replace some of its oldest satellites. With millions of users worldwide routinely relying on Galileo services, this milestone ensures Europe’s ability to operate its own radionavigation system, something that is essential for sectors such as intelligent transportation, logistics, precision agriculture, defense, public safety, communications network operations, and energy generation and transmission.

GMV plays an essential role as the lead developer and operator of the Galileo ground control segment, the infrastructure that keeps the constellation operational 24 hours a day. From the centers in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, and Fucino, Italy, GMV’s solutions make it possible to monitor the health and position of each satellite, plan and execute orbital maneuvers, ensure signal integrity, and manage the critical operations of a system that is already an integral part of the daily activities of more than 4 billion users worldwide. Once again, the company’s contribution has been key to managing post-separation operations from the launch vehicle and ensuring the correct insertion of the new satellites into the constellation.

This launch paves the way for the L15 and L16 missions, which will complete the first generation of the system before transitioning to the second-generation Galileo satellites (G2G), currently under development. These will introduce advanced capabilities, greater accuracy, and enhanced resilience against interference and cyber threats, further strengthening Galileo’s role as a strategic infrastructure for Europe.