EUSPA signs a new Ariane 6 Launch Contract for Galileo Second Generation satellites

The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) has signed a new launch contract with Arianespace for the deployment of the second pair of Galileo Second Generation satellites, known as Galileo L18, to be launched aboard an Ariane 6 launcher under the delegation of the European Commission, strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy. This contract builds on the first Galileo Second Generation launch agreement concluded in 2024 and demonstrates the continuity of EUSPA’s expanding responsibilities, including oversight of Galileo launch activities. It confirms the Agency’s long-term commitment to ensuring the sustained renewal, performance and resilience of Europe’s global navigation satellite system. The Galileo L18 mission will be Ariane 6’s fifth launch in support of the Galileo programme. Ariane 6 successfully completed its first Galileo mission on 17 December 2025, placing two Galileo satellites (Galileo L14) into orbit. Satellites are now managed by EUSPA thanks to its Galileo Control Centre. Two further Ariane 6 launches are planned to complete the first generation of the constellation, followed by Galileo L17, which will deploy the first pair of second-generation sa...