Watch (Opens in a new window) Shop (Opens in a new window)
(Opens in a new window) (Opens in a new window)

From finding the way around a new city to supporting critical infrastructure, Galileo is part of everyday life for billions of people worldwide.

Galileo is Europe’s satellite navigation system. Since entering service in 2016 it has been providing highly precise, guaranteed global positioning under civilian control, making a difference across transport, agriculture, finance, logistics, search and rescue and much more.

With more than 30 First Generation satellites in orbit, 12 Second Generation satellites being built, and a worldwide ground segment, Galileo is the largest European satellite constellation and ground segment. Galileo is a flagship programme of the European Union, managed and funded by the European Commission.

Under the European Union, ESA develops, builds and qualifies Galileo while the EU Agency for the Space Programme brings the satellites into service and oversees their operation.

4+ billion users worldwide
<1 metre accuracy
30+ satellites
45+ ground stations

Discover Galileo

[ Satellite Navigation ]
Galileo
28 SEP. 2000

About satellite navigation

Since the beginning of time, human beings have looked to the sky to determine their whereabouts. Traditionally, the Sun and the pattern of fixed stars have been their guides. But now, at the dawn of the second millennium, constellations of manmade satellites have taken over as beacons to guide the way.
Read article
[ Galileo ]
fallback image 5
05 MAR. 2002

What is Galileo?

Galileo is Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, providing a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control. Currently providing Initial Services, Galileo is interoperable with GPS and Glonass, the US and Russian global satellite navigation systems. By offering dual frequencies as standard, Galileo can deliver real-time positioning accuracy down to the metre range.Galileo servicesThe current Galileo system consists of 28 satellites in all. All but two of these are positioned in three circular Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) planes at 23 222 km altitude above the Earth, and at an inclination of the orbital planes of 56 degrees to the equator. The remaining pair were placed in incorrect orbits by a Soyuz launcher error, and are currently employed for search and rescue but not as operational members of the constellation.
Read article
[ Galileo ]
Galileo navigation hiker
22 APR. 2024

Six mind-blowing facts about Galileo

Did you know Galileo was born in the Netherlands in the 1990s? Europe’s own global navigation satellite system was developed in ESA’s technological heart, ESTEC, in Noordwijk, almost three decades ago. Since then, it has grown to become one of the most complex and critical infrastructures ever built in Europe, as well as the largest European satellite constellation and ground segment.
Read article

The future of Galileo

Latest images

Explore
[ Galileo ]
Group photo of ESA and industry representatives standing on the stairs outside a modern building.
28 OCT. 2026

Galileo ground segment to be modernised for next generation

Galileo ground segment to be modernised for next generation
Explore
[ Galileo ]
Photo of a group of representatives from ESA and industry standing on a stage together following a contract signature.
28 OCT. 2026

Galileo ground segment to be modernised for next generation

Galileo ground segment to be modernised for next generation
Explore
[ Galileo ]
Photo of two men sitting behind a table signing a contract.
28 OCT. 2026

Ennio Guarino (ESA) and Fernando García (Indra Space) sign a contract for Galileo ground segment

Ennio Guarino (ESA) and Fernando García (Indra Space) sign a contract for Galileo ground segment
Explore

Latest videos

Explore

Galileo in depth

Latest news

[ Resilience Navigation and Connectivity ]
Photo of a group of representatives from ESA and industry standing on a stage together following a contract signature.
28 OCT. 2026

New contracts to modernise Galileo ground segment for next generation

On 27 October 2026, Indra Space celebrated the signature of two contracts with the European Space Agency, European Commission and EU Agency for the Space Programme to develop new ground stations for the second generation of Galileo, Europe’s satellite navigation system.
Read article
[ Resilience Navigation and Connectivity ]
Digital illustration of Earth viewed from space, surrounded by multiple satellites arranged in orbital paths. The satellites form a circular constellation around the planet against a dark background, with glowing orbital lines highlighting the network.
27 OCT. 2026

ESA procures four new Galileo Second Generation satellites

The European Space Agency (ESA) has extended ongoing contracts to build four additional Galileo Second Generation (G2) satellites, ensuring the long-term continuity of the constellation and supporting the rollout of new services. With this procurement, the Galileo Second Generation fleet grows to 16 satellites.
Read article

We use cookies which are essential for you to access our website and/or to provide you with our services, enable you to share our website content via your social media accounts and allow us to measure and improve the performance of our website.

See our cookie notice