Photos: Ariane 5 ES Rocket Assembly for first Galileo Quadruplet Launch

An Ariane 5 ES rocket is assembled at the Guiana Space Center for the first launch of four Galileo satellites to expand Europe’s growing navigation satellite constellation to 18 spacecraft for the start of initial services. The distinguishing feature of the ES version of Ariane 5 is a hypergolic upper stage that can support engine re-starts – a critical requirement for a direct delivery of the satellites directly to Medium Earth Orbit over 20,000 Kilometers in altitude.

All Photos: Arianespace/ESA/CNES/Optique Video du CSG