Galileo Counts Down to October 20 for First Validation Satellites

摘要

The first flight of a Russian rocket, Soyuz, from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana will carry the first two satellites of Europe's Galileo navigation system into orbit on October 20, and the European Space Agency is reporting on the preparations. The Soyuz launcher will be rolled out horizontally to the launch pad on October 14 and raised into its vertical launch position. The upper composite, comprising the Fregat upper stage, payload and fairing, will then be hoisted on top of Soyuz.