Operational Galileo Satellites Delivered to Kourou

[MikeB]

The first two "Full Operational Capability" satellites for the European Navigation system Galileo have been delivered to Arianespace's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

The launch of this pair of navigation satellites, slated for August, will mark the commencement of the Full Operational Capability phase of the project. These will join the existing four In Orbit Validation satellites which were launched in pairs in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

The Galileo program is Europe’s initiative for satellite navigation, providing a highly accurate global positioning system under civilian control – consisting of 30 satellites, along with European control centers and a worldwide network of sensor and uplink stations.

The network’s complete operational and ground infrastructure will be deployed during Galileo’s Full Operational Capability phase, which is managed and funded by the European Commission, with the European Space Agency delegated as the design and procurement agent on the Commission’s behalf.

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Mike Barrett

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