Celeste LEO-PNT In-Orbit Demonstration Mission Launches with Electron Rocket
The first two satellites of the Celeste LEO-PNT in-orbit demonstration mission successfully launched aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from Māhia Launch Complex in New Zealand on March 25.
Celeste represents Europe’s initial undertaking for satellite navigation in low Earth orbit (LEO).
The mission aims to test next-generation technologies and integrate new frequency bands for satellite navigation. Its design demonstrates how a complementary LEO layer can augment Europe’s existing Galileo system, which operates in medium Earth orbit (MEO). This enhancement seeks to improve overall resilience, elevate performance, and create opportunities for new service capabilities directly from LEO.
Launch Schedule (CET)
- Broadcast began: 09:53
- Liftoff: 10:14
- First stage separation: 10:16
- Second stage separation: 10:23
- Payload 1 deployment: 11:04
- Payload 2 deployment: 11:08
- Broadcast concluded: 11:09
About the Celeste Mission
The Celeste mission is a key initiative by ESA for LEO-PNT (Low Earth Orbit Positioning Navigation and Timing) and is currently in its in-orbit demonstration phase.
This phase includes a demonstration constellation of 11 satellites intended to fly in low Earth orbit to test innovative signals across various frequency bands. The objective is to advance satellite navigation concepts to provide resilient positioning and timing services.
The Celeste in-orbit demonstration phase was approved during ESA’s Council at Ministerial Level in 2022. The satellite fleet is being developed through two parallel contracts: one led by GMV (ES) with OHB (DE) as a core partner, and the other by Thales Alenia Space (FR) as prime with Thales Alenia Space (IT) responsible for the space segment. These consortia involve over 50 entities from more than 14 countries.
Further support for Celeste was provided at ESA’s Council at Ministerial Level in 2025 (CM25), aimed at implementing the subsequent LEO-PNT In-Orbit Preparatory phase.
Celeste also contributes to the European Resilience from Space (ERS) initiative, endorsed at CM25, which addresses critical security and resilience needs for Member States and supports the groundwork for future European strategic space capabilities.