On December 17, 2025, an Ariane 6 rocket successfully lifted off from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, carrying two new Galileo satellites: Galileo SAT-33 and SAT-34.
Liftoff occurred at 05:01 UTC (02:01 local time), beginning the VA266 mission and marking the fifth flight overall of Europe’s new heavy launch vehicle.
Relive the moment!
— Arianespace (@Arianespace) December 17, 2025
Watch the replay of #Ariane6 lifting off on mission #VA266, carrying SAT 33 and SAT 34, the satellites of the 14th operation launch for the Galileo programme. pic.twitter.com/xBWsKrNYsi
The main stage separated at T+7 minutes and 45 seconds. The upper stage then ignited the Vinci engine twice during a long-duration mission profile, deploying the Galileo satellites at approximately T+3 hours and 55 minutes after liftoff, supporting the continued deployment of the Galileo navigation constellation.
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Mission Overview
Flying in its Ariane 62 configuration, the launcher carried the Galileo satellites SAT-33 and SAT-34 into orbit, marking the 14th operational mission for the Galileo programme (Galileo L14).
The satellite pair was placed into Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), with insertion occurring at an altitude of about 22,922 kilometres and an inclination of 54 degrees.
The VA266 flight also represented Arianespace’s seventh launch of 2025, further expanding Ariane 6’s operational record and supporting a key element of Europe’s satellite navigation infrastructure.
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The Galileo Constellation
Galileo is currently the world’s most precise global navigation satellite system, providing services to around 4.5 billion users worldwide. Its signals are used daily across a wide range of sectors, including rail and maritime transport, agriculture, and search and rescue operations.
SAT-33 and SAT-34 belong to the first generation of Galileo satellites and were launched to reinforce the operational constellation. Their successful deployment brought the total number of Galileo satellites launched to 34, further improving the precision, availability, and robustness of the Galileo system and services.
Looking ahead, Galileo’s second generation satellites are scheduled to join the constellation in 2026 aboard Ariane 6, introducing enhanced capabilities and improved performance.
Operational management and service provision for the Galileo programme are handled by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), which publishes daily information on the operational status of the constellation.
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Ariane 6 and future missions
The mission was conducted using Ariane 6 in its Ariane 62 configuration. The launcher stands 62 metres tall, has a liftoff mass of approximately 500 tonnes, and generates about 8,000 kN of thrust at liftoff.
Ariane 6 made its debut in 2024 and has since carried out five launches, gradually expanding its flight record as it enters regular service.
The rocket is developed and manufactured by a European industrial consortium led by ArianeGroup, with launch operations carried out by its subsidiary ArianeSpace. Ariane 6 is available in two configurations: Ariane 62, featuring two P120C solid rocket boosters, and the heavier Ariane 64 variant, equipped with four boosters and designed for higher-capacity missions.
Looking ahead, Ariane 6 is expected to conduct additional missions in the coming months. The more powerful Ariane 64 configuration is set to make its debut with the launch of a first batch of satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper broadband constellation. Amazon is a major customer for Ariane 6, with a total of 18 launches contracted.
*Cover image credits: ArianeSpace via YouTube
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