Celeste’s first satellites launched to explore LEO-based satellite navigation

On 28 March, the European Space Agency (ESA) took a major step forward in strengthening Europe's ambition for more resilient satellite navigation, as the first two satellites of the Celeste in-orbit demonstration mission lifted off from New Zealand aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket. The Celeste mission is designed to explore the potential of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations to provide more robust Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) signals. Unlike traditional Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites like Galileo, LEO satellites are much closer to Earth, allowing for stronger signals that can better penetrate buildings and are more difficult to jam or spoof. This mission will test new technologies and frequencies to ensure Europe remains at the forefront of secure and precise navigation infrastructure.