|
 |
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM GALILEO
Russia launches Europe’s Galileo satellite
Russian Soyuz-FG launches Eirope's GPS satellite Galileo.
29 December 2005
MOSCOW
Russia’s rocket carrier Soyuz-FG on Wednesday launched the first 600kg Giove-A satellite of the European Global Positioning System Galileo from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, an official announcement confirmed.
Media reports said Soyuz-FG brought the GPS spacecraft to a preset circular orbit at 12.01 hours local time at an altitude of 23,000 kilometers and inclination of 56 degrees. News agency Itar-Tass said the booster was launched at 0819 local time.
The Giove A satellite is expected to demonstrate key technologies required for Galileo, Europe’s ambitious $4 billion satellite navigation system which is tentatively scheduled for deployment on 2010.
The success of the satellite is vital for Europe’s space programme, analysts said. European aerospace giant EADS, France's Thales and Alcatel, Britain's Inmarsat, Italy's Finmeccanica and Spain's AENA and Hispasat haveall been roped in as partners in the space programme.
The European Commission, a key mover of the programme, wants majority of funds for the space programme to come from industry. It wants the rest to be shared by European governments in what is seen as a unique public-private venture.
The aim of the exercise is to provide the European Union nations to get access to space-driven timing and location services, for which they have to rely on United States at present.
|
