First Galileo Satellite Prepares For October Launch

[Darren]

The first 'In Orbit Validation' (IOV) satellite, built for the European Space Agency (ESA) by Astrium, has arrived at the Guiana Space Centre.

The satellite, one of two IOVs that have passed validation testing by ESA, was delivered to Guiana on an Antonov An-124 aircraft and will now be prepared for a launch atop a Soyuz ST-B rocket on 20th October.

A second Galileo satellite is being readied for transport to the spaceport at Guiana and the two satellites will form part of a fleet of four that will be used for in-orbit testing and validation of the Galileo system in advance of the full system of 26 satellites being put into service.

The launch is notable as it is the first time that a Soyuz rocket has launched from French Guiana facility

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Darren Griffin

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