Europe will soon have four new satellites that would help in the global positioning system (GPS) there. The four satellites are an effort by Europe to be self-reliant and not be too dependent on the US GPS system. The four satellites are launched aboard Ariane 5 this week.
Just this November 17 the Ariane 5 rocket lifted off from French Guiana carrying four Galileo satellites. The four satellites would add to Europe's GPS system. Europe has been relying much on the American GPS system. With the four satellites, Europe won't have to rely as much on the American GPS system.
For the Ariane 5, it would be its 75th launch, which would tie its record with the previous Ariane 4. The rocket lifted off from the Guiana Space Center. The Ariane 5 that lifted off is the ED version wherein a storable propellant upper stage has replaced the cryogenic stage. The storable upper stage carries the four satellites.
For the first time, the Ariane 5 has been used to launch Galileo satellites, according to Phys Org. This has been decided since the Ariane 5 can carry four satellites, whereas the Russian Soyuz rocket can only carry two. The satellites would be operating before the year ends.
The four satellites would join 14 other Galileo satellites now orbiting the Earth, as Space News reports. That would have 18 satellites in orbit, although not all of them are fully operational. It is expected that as much as 30 satellites would be in orbit by 2020.
The plan to have additional GPS satellites is to have the system be as accurate as possible. This would mean having to position to be as accurate as a meter, said Jean-Yves Le Gall, President of the French space agency, CNES. The four satellites have been carried the whole way to their destinations so as to have them positioned accurately. From there the satellites will make minor adjustments so that their positions are accurate.
Four Galileo satellites are launched aboard Ariane 5 and it's expected to have more out soon. This would have Europe more independent with GPS. NASA has also launched satellites in order to track hurricanes better.
