Media invitation: Galileo (Launch 14) pre-launch online media briefings

Media representatives are cordially invited to join online media briefings in several languages ahead of the launch of two Galileo satellites (Galileo L14) on an Ariane 6 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

ESA, the European Commission, the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), and Arianespace are planning a wide range of media activities for this launch including these online pre-launch media briefings which are open to all journalists.

These multilingual sessions will offer exclusive insights into the mission set for launch on 17 December, a Galileo status update and the strong European partnership behind the Galileo programme. These online briefings are offered in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Dutch.

Interested journalists are kindly requested to register by 16:00 CET on Monday 8 December: https://blogs.esa.int/forms/esa-media-briefing-form. Only registered media will be able to attend and ask questions.

Briefing schedule

9 December 2025

English, 11:00 - 12:00 CET

Speakers, in order of presentation:

• Caroline Arnoux, Head of the Ariane Business Unit, Arianespace
• Andrea Cotellessa, Head of Galileo Space Segment Management Office, ESA
• Representative from the European Commission
• Manuel Czech, Director Navigation Programme, OHB

French, 12:00 - 13:00 CET

Speakers:

• Caroline Arnoux, Head of the Ariane Business Unit, Arianespace
• Thibault Leroux, Head of Galileo System Security Service, ESA
• Representative from the European Commission

Spanish, 13:00 - 14:00 CET

Speakers:

• Miguel Manteiga Bautista, Head of Galileo Programme Office, ESA
• Representative from the European Commission

Dutch, 14:00 - 15:00 CET

Speakers:

• Bastiaan Willemse, Head of Galileo FOC Satellite Management Service, ESA
• Representative from the European Commission

German, 15:00 - 16:00 CET

Speakers:

• Jörg Hahn, Head of Galileo System Engineering Service, ESA
• Representative from the European Commission
• Manuel Czech, Director Navigation Programme, OHB

Italian, 16:00 - 17:00 CET

Speakers:

• Andrea Cotellessa, Head of Galileo Space Segment Management Office/ Ennio Guarino, Head of Galileo and EGNOS Programme Dept, ESA
• Representative from the European Commission

About Galileo

Galileo is the world's most precise satellite navigation system, serving over five billion smartphone users around the globe since entering Open Service in 2016. All smartphones sold in the European Single Market are now guaranteed Galileo-enabled. In addition, Galileo is making a difference across the fields of rail, maritime, agriculture, financial timing services and rescue operations.

A flagship programme of the EU, Galileo is managed and funded by the European Commission. Since its inception, ESA leads the design, development and qualification of the space and ground systems, as well as procuring launches. ESA is also entrusted with research and development activities for the future of Galileo within the EU programme Horizon Europe. The EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) acts as the service provider, overseeing the market and application needs and closing the loop with users.

More information

Follow the Galileo launch campaign

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ESA - Galileo, advancing toward the future

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About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe's gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members.

ESA has established formal cooperation with four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.

Learn more about ESA at https://www.esa.int.