Europe names Galileo trailblazer

During a ceremony organised by the European Space Agency and the Dutch government at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, 9 November 2005, the first GALILEO satellite was officially baptised “GIOVE” (Galileo In Orbit Validation Element). This first satellite, built by Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, will be launched by a Soyouz rocket from the Baïkonour space centre during the latter half of December 2005. It will transmit all Galileo signals. Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of transport, declared: “This is a big step in the history of Galileo. The in-orbit validation phase of the programme will now truly begin with the launch of this first satellite”.

European Commission: Press Release: IP/05/1395 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1395&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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