The failed launch in August of two European Galileo navigation satellites may cause a scheduled launch of two new satellites in december is postponed. Now is also the probable cause for the attempt of the failed launch.
From the examination of the failed launch by Arianespace, it has become clear that a fuel line in the last step to close to a pipe was placed with liquid helium was filled. Due to the very cold helium froze the hydrazine-filled fuel line with the result that the engines of the so-called Frigate-stairs, their work could not do. This means that the two Galileo satellites in an orbit thousands of miles too low. Also the angle of inclination proved wrong.
The Russian NPO Lavochkin has the rakettrap built. The company would be in a quarter of the manufactured Frigate-stairs the failure of design have been applied. According to the raketbouwer the design can quite easily be adjusted.
It is unclear yet whether the changes are timely implemented. For december is a launch of two Galileo satellites with a Soyuz Fregat rocket was planned, but the EU can also decide to satellites in the spring or summer to launch together with two other Galileo rockets. This should be with a Ariane 5 rocket. This last choice would make the ESA more time to get to the satellites on additional test subjects.
The two satellites in August in a low orbit, prove to be not entirely useless. For example, the satellites via a ground station to be controlled. There is viewed, or the satellites that are currently in an elliptical orbit move still can be used. The two Galileo satellites will, however, by their job with more radiation to get to and the service life is reduced. Also the signal from the two built-in clocks can be disrupted. By reducing the amount of fuel is limited, can the satellites but with difficulty in other jobs.
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