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SSTL congratulates the EU, ESA and Astrium on the successful launch of the two first in-orbit validation (IOV) satellites, which marks a critical step for the Galileo system.

Galileo is the upcoming European satellite navigation system, equivalent to the American Global Positioning System (GPS). Galileo will start operating in 2014 as a free consumer navigation service, with more specialised services to be rolled out until 2020, when it’s planned to be fully operational

Launched by a Russian Soyuz rocket from the base in French Guiana on Friday 21 October 07:30 local time (11:30 BST), the satellites are now in their 23,000km orbit above Earth.

Friday’s launch is the beginning of the deployment of the operational system, with two further satellites of a similar design to be launched next. A further fourteen satellites being manufactured by the OHB / SSTL team will begin launching in 2012.

To find out more on Friday’s launch, read this BBC News online article

Related posts:

1. Galileo gaffe
2. Lockheed Martin captures contract to build GPS III satellites three and four
3. SSTL receives first payload equipment for European Sat-Nav
4. EO satellites outlive their design

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