'Galileo System' Being Readied For Launch

The first of the four Astrium-built IOV satellites to form part of the Galileo constellation has arrived at the European Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, readying itself for a launch on a Soyuz launch vehicle in October.?? European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) staed that the satellite was developed and manufactured by a team leaded by Astrium Germany, while Astrium UK supervised the whole development and integration of the satellite’s navigational freight.

#-Link-Snipped-#
Antonov A-124 aircraft

Galileo system is touted to be Europe’s first global navigation satellite system and all these IOV satellites are a part of it.  ??An Antonov A-124 aircraft transported the first satellite from Rome to French Guiana where it was put together and examined by Thales Alenia Space Italy. This spacecraft will be brought together with the second Astrium-built IOV satellite soon enough, ahead of their launch on a first of its kind Soyuz flight from Guiana in late October.?? The third and fourth IOV satellites will be soon joining the former spacecrafts in the orbit following year, after they are created and thoroughly examined under Astrium’s supervision. When in orbit, these four satellite will be declared as the Galileo system.