Two Galileo satellites successfully launched

Galileo, the EU’s satellite navigation programme, placed two more satellites into orbit in the night from Friday 27 to Saturday 28 March. Elżbieta Bieńkowska, European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, commented: “The successful launch of two Galileo satellites takes us one step closer to a global European satellite navigation system. We have demonstrated again that Europe has state-of-the-art know-how, cutting edge technology, and the vision and determination to accomplish great things.” Galileo is the EU programme to develop a global satellite navigation system under European civilian control. The improved positioning and timing information supplied by Galileo will have positive implications for many services and users: in-car navigation devices, mobile phones, road and rail transport systems, and search and rescue functions. The next launch of Galileo satellites is scheduled for September 2015. The Commission aims to ensure the provision of initial Galileo services by 2016 and full services by 2020, by which time the Galileo network of 30 satellites and their supporting ground stations will be completed.

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