Verified Editor-read ESA press release, 28 March 2026
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
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