GIOVE-B to be Launched on April 27

(April 24, 2008) -- GIOVE-B (Galileo In Orbit Validation Element) will verify the most critical technologies of the European satellite navigation system Galileo.
Cannes, April 24, 2008 - GIOVE-B, the second experimental satellite part of the Galileo constellation, is ready to begin its journey from the spaceport of Baikonur, in Kazakhstan. The satellite is schedule for launch by a Starsem Soyuz/Fregat launch vehicle at 00:16:02 CEST (22:16 UTC on April 26, 04:16:02 local time on April 27).

GIOVE-B (Galileo In Orbit Validation Element) will verify the most critical technologies of the European satellite navigation system Galileo. More specifically, GIOVE-B will test in orbit the functionality of the atomic clock that represents one of the most important innovations of the system.

Thales Alenia Space's subsidiaries in Italy, Spain, Belgium and France contributed to this satellite, as subcontractor to the satellite prime Astrium in Munich:

- Assembling phases of the satellite as well as operational platform and system tests (Italy).
- Environmental (vibration, shock, and mass properties) and thermo-vacuum tests (Italy).
- Launch campaign (Italy)
- Harness Subsystem and Telemetry & Telecommand Subsystem (TT&C) (Italy)
- Structure Mechanical and Thermal design and production, using the Proteus platform heritage (France)
- Power subsystem and high efficiency Solar Arrays (France)
- Avionics specification and support (France)
- Development and supply of the Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) and the Clock Monitoring Control Unit (CMCU) (Spain)
- Provision of the Power Distribution Unit (PDU), the Power Conditioning Electronics (PCE), as well as the electrical test benches and ground support equipment (EGSE) (Belgium)
- Engineering support to the integrated satellite prime team of Astrium in Munich and Assembly Integration and Tests (AIT) in Rome
- Prime contractor of the GIOVE ground mission segment managing both GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B satellites (France)

Sergio Greco, SVP Navigation & Integrated Communications activities, Thales Alenia Space, said: "The encouraging results yielded by GIOVE-B are an important milestone that confirms the involvement of Europe in reaching an independent and leading role in satellite navigation systems. It further demonstrates that the space industry, and specifically Thales Alenia Space, is ready to take on this crucial challenge."

Source : Thales Alenia Space

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