Successful launch of two Galileo satellites by Ariane 6
Kourou (Guyana, France) – “The satellites SAT 33 and SAT 34 were placed into a medium Earth orbit at an altitude of about 22,922 km. Their separation took place 3 hours and 55 minutes after liftoff” from the Kourou space center in French Guiana, welcomed the French launch systems operator Arianespace in a press release.
The rocket soared into the tropical night as planned at 02:01 local time (05:01 GMT), benefiting from mild weather despite the rainy season in this French territory in South America, near the equator, observed an AFP journalist.
A few seconds after liftoff, Ariane 6 disappeared under the thick cloud cover.
SAT 33 and SAT 34, next-generation spacecraft, bring to 34 the number of satellites in the Galileo constellation, the European satellite navigation system, equivalent and competitor to the American GPS, designed to offer precise and independent civilian geolocation.
They will be used to “improve the accuracy, availability and robustness of the European Union’s global satellite navigation system,” according to Arianespace. (December 17, 2025)
