MISSION NAME
Galileo L5 (FOC FM05-FM06) 06
Status
Success
DATE
11 SEP 2015
LAUNCH PROVIDER
Arianespace
Launch Pad
Soyuz Launch Complex
Description
The 5th and 6th Full Operational Capability satellites will be the 9th and 10th Galileo satellites launched, alongside the 4 FOC and 4 IOV spacecraft already in orbit. The Galileo constellation is ESA's satellite navigation system and is expected to be completed by 2020. Galileo will provide Europe with an alternative to the American GPS and Russian GLONASS constellations, but will be interoperable with both systems.
Soyuz STB Fregat
Rocket Description
The 2.1b version adds an upgraded engine (RD-0124) with improved performance to the second stage. First launch took place from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 on 26 July 2008 with a classified military payload. The 2.1b/ST version is sometimes called Soyuz ST-B.