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# ESA launches first Celeste satellites to test LEO layer complementing Galileo
- URL: https://sovereigntymonitor.eu/news/2026-03-28-esa-celeste-leo-navigation-launch/
- Published: 2026-03-28T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-20T06:58:37.000Z
- Description: ESA launched the first two Celeste satellites, built by Spain's GMV and France's Thales Alenia Space, to test a low Earth orbit layer complementing Galileo; 11 satellites are planned by 2027 across over 50 firms in 14 countries.
- Author: Reidar Balstad
- Tags: Defence and space, #news, #verified, #editor-read

Verified Editor-read [ESA press release, 28 March 2026](https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press%5FReleases/Celeste%5Fs%5Ffirst%5Fsatellites%5Flaunched%5Fto%5Fexplore%5FLEO-based%5Fsatellite%5Fnavigation?ref=sovereigntymonitor.eu)

**What it does not test.** It does not establish operational service; Celeste remains an in-orbit demonstration ahead of a full constellation.

**How this item counts.** Towards autonomy: it changes who made the parts, who operates. Binding 3 of 3 (in force or operating), scale 2 of 3 (medium), Verified counts in full: weight +12 of 36 possible. ESA-owned Celeste sats built by GMV/Thales launched and operated by Europe; demo phase, 2 of 11.. [European Sovereignty Index](https://sovereigntymonitor.eu/sovereignty-index/)

**How this item was made.** Drafted by an AI system (Claude (Anthropic)) from the source cited above; read and approved by the editor on 2026-09-20\. [How the record is made](https://sovereigntymonitor.eu/method/#how-the-record-is-made)