Galileo 7 & 8 Soyuz launch overview

The Galileo satellite navigation system remains on track after successful in-orbit validation and more recently the salvage for navigational testing of two satellites launched into an incorrect orbit. The mini-constellation of satellites in orbit plus their associated ground segment has allowed in-depth testing of the overall Galileo system, and the performance was good, even beyond expectations. Now with the launch of the latest pair of satellites, ESA and the European Commission are progressing with the deployment phase of the programme.

On 27 March 2015 a Soyuz launcher will send two new Galileo satellites on orbit. Launch from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, is scheduled at 18:46 Kourou time, 21:46 GMT.

This video presents the status of Galileo launch campaign with the latest images from Kourou and recalls what is at stake for the European navigation programme.