To the bottom right of the navigation antenna are a pair of infrared вЂEarth sensorsвЂ™ whose task is to keep the navigation permanently locked onto Earth by homing in on the contrast between the heat of EarthвЂ™s atmosphere and the cold of deep space. To its left is the hexagonal search and rescue antenna that picks up distress signals and relays them to local emergency services, contributing to the saving of more than 2000 lives annually. Seen here sheathed in multi-layer insulation, the 2.5m by 1.2 m by 1.1 m satelliteвЂ™s main 1.4-m diameter antenna transmits L-band navigation signals down to Earth. The вЂanechoicвЂ™ foam pyramids covering its interior absorb internal signals вЂ“ as well as sound вЂ“ to prevent any reflection, mimicking the infinite void of space for satellite testing. Once Maxwell's main door is sealed, its metal walls form a вЂFaraday CageвЂ™, screening out external electromagnetic signals.

This test procedure is a check of the satelliteвЂ™s вЂelectromagnetic compatibilityвЂ™, with all its systems running together to detect any harmful interference between them. Ahead of Galileo satellites like this one going to space, they are switched on as if already operating there within ESAвЂ™s Maxwell EMC Facility.

Locked heart images