Overview
- Rocket Lab’s Electron placed two ESA Celeste satellites into low Earth orbit from New Zealand, and the pair began early operations after separating about an hour post‑launch.
- ESA says the spacecraft will validate core technologies and bring into use L‑ and S‑band signals under International Telecommunication Union rules.
- Celeste is designed to complement Europe’s Galileo and EGNOS services by adding a closer‑to‑Earth layer that can improve signal strength in cities, polar regions, and some indoor settings.
- The two satellites were built by European teams led by GMV with OHB and by Thales Alenia Space, drawing on a network of more than 50 partners across over 14 countries.
- ESA plans follow‑on launches in 2027 to expand the demonstrator to 11 satellites and to prepare for a potential operational low‑orbit navigation service.