The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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The Ariane 5 fairing is lowered into position over Galileo satellites 15, 16, 17 and 18 in preparation for their launch at 13:06 GMT (14:06 CET) on 17 November 2016, from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
The launch will mark the first time that ESA deploys four Galileo satellites in one go. Usually, shepherding a single satellite through the first critical days in orbit is a demanding enough task. A combined team in Toulouse, France, from ESA and France’s CNES space agency will make contact, establish control and then see the quartet of satellites through their initial activities.
Two further Ariane 5 Galileo flights are planned to follow over the next two years, one each for the constellation’s remaining orbital planes.