22.02.2026
ESA to launch Celeste LEO-PNT on March 24
Testing_GMV_s_Celeste_In-Orbit_Demonstration_CubeSat_in_an_anechoic_chamber
The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing for the inaugural launch of the Celeste LEO-PNT in-orbit demonstration mission, with the first two satellites scheduled to lift off no earlier than March 24 aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from the company’s Māhia Launch Complex in New Zealand.
Celeste will play a pioneering role in elevating the future of Europe’s satellite navigation capabilities. As Europe’s first initiative for satellite navigation in low Earth orbit (LEO), the mission will be testing next-generation technologies and add new frequency bands for satellite navigation.
Celeste will demonstrate how a complementary layer flying closer to Earth can enhance Europe’s current Galileo system in medium Earth orbit (MEO), boosting the overall resilience, enhancing its performance, and opening opportunities for new service capabilities directly from LEO.
The first two satellites successfully completed their test and qualification campaign and are formally declared ready for flight. The satellites are being shipped to Rocket Lab’s launch complex in New Zealand, where they will undergo final testing and integration in the Electron rocket ahead of their launch no earlier than March 24.
Celeste flies with first two satellites
Similarly to the early stages of the Galileo programme, Celeste will begin with two demonstrator satellites to secure the assigned frequency filings and to test representative navigation signals until the end of the year.
The two satellites consist of two large CubeSats (12U and 16U respectively), both developed by two consortia composed of a wide set of European players, one led by GMV (Spain) and the other led by Thales Alenia Space (France).
Together, they will enable in-orbit testing of next-generation technologies, including autonomous precise orbit determination without reliance on ground infrastructure, as well as stronger and faster radionavigation signals in L- and S-band from low Earth orbit.
Over the past months, both satellites successfully completed payload integration, radio-frequency compatibility tests, and environmental qualification, including thermal vacuum, mechanical and electromagnetic compatibility testing.
More satellites to follow
Eight larger satellites with additional capabilities are under development, with GMV and Thales Alenia Space each responsible for four of them. Design and development are progressing steadily, with an opportunity for subsequent launches from 2027 onwards.
The eight satellites will build on the work of the first two satellites and demonstrate radionavigation with additional novel signals and new frequency bands:
- S-band two-way navigation signals, for advanced positioning capabilities using 5G satellite waveforms.
- C-band signals, for additional resilience against jamming and interference.
- UHF-band signals, for enhanced penetration and in-door positioning.
“On top of the eight satellites, an additional one will include a payload to test miniaturised atomic clocks on board, along with other technologies,” said Roberto Prieto-Cerdeira, ESA’s Celeste project manager.
Once fully completed at an orbit between 500 and 560 km, the demonstrator mission will offer an ideal in-orbit testbench for a broad variety of downstream applications, such as autonomous vehicles, maritime navigation, critical infrastructure, polar and arctic operations, wireless networks, emergency services, asset tracking and Internet-of-Things applications.
“By carrying out these experimentation and demonstration activities in orbit, we are opening a platform where ESA can work hand-in-hand with end-user communities and stakeholders to demonstrate innovative technologies in satellite navigation, push boundaries and demonstrate services in conditions that mirror the real world,” added Roberto.
ESA is offering interested third parties from ESA Participating States the opportunity to participate in the experimentation phase of the Celeste in-orbit demonstrator. More information is available on ESA’s Open Space Innovation Platform.
Following Celeste’s in-orbit demonstration, Celeste’s in-orbit preparatory phase, approved at ESA’s Ministerial Council in November 2025 (CM25), will focus on technology development, industrialisation and in-orbit validation, preparing for a potential operational system as part of the European Union GNSS infrastructure together with Galileo and EGNOS, also supporting potential commercial initiatives.
Quelle: GPS WORLD
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Update: 28.03.2026
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ROCKET LAB SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES 85TH MISSION AND FIRST DEDICATED LAUNCH FOR EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
MAHIA, New Zealand- Rocket Lab Corporation, a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully completed its first dedicated launch for the European Space Agency (ESA), demonstrating Electron’s key and growing role in supporting space agency missions with repeatable and reliable commercial launch services.
The launch, named “Daughter Of The Stars”, lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand on March 28th at 10:14 pm NZT to successfully deliver ESA’s “Celeste” mission to orbit: the first two spacecraft of a satellite navigation demonstration mission in low Earth orbit at 510 km. ESA’s Celeste mission will demonstrate how a low Earth orbit fleet of satellites can work in combination with the Galileo constellation in medium Earth orbit that provide Europe’s own global navigation system. Built by two consortia led by GMV (Spain) and Thales Alenia Space (France), the pair of ESA spacecraft will test next-generation technologies for a broad variety of future uses in autonomous vehicles, maritime navigation, wireless networks, emergency services, and critical infrastructure projects across Europe.
This launch continues Rocket Lab’s record of 100% mission success for national space programs including NASA, JAXA, KASA, and now ESA, underscoring Electron’s importance to space access both domestically and internationally with its consistently precise, reliable, and responsive launches.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Orbital accuracy is critical for the beginning of a new constellation. It’s why satellite operators across all mission types choose Electron for a dedicated launch, because they know they can rely on our rocket’s precision and accuracy to establish a solid foundation in orbit. This mission for ESA is just the latest example of Electron's constancy as the launch industry leader globally for small sat missions and a proud moment for the team to deliver mission success for such a prestigious organization as ESA.”
“We are pleased to see our first two Celeste satellites starting their important mission, as they open a new era for satellite navigation in Europe. Over the past two decades, Galileo and EGNOS have become a total success, fuelling our society, generating economic growth and ensuring European independence and security. Now, ESA’s Celeste will demonstrate how a complementary layer in low Earth orbit can enhance Europe’s current navigation systems, making them more resilient, more robust, and capable of delivering entirely new services,” adds Francisco-Javier Benedicto Ruiz, ESA’s Director of Navigation.
“Daughter Of The Stars” was Rocket Lab’s 6th launch of the year and 85th launch overall. Upcoming launches in 2026 include missions for commercial Earth observation, international space agencies, national security, and hypersonic technology development.
Quelle: Rocket Lab