MISSION NAME
Galileo L1 (IOV FM01-FM02) 02
Status
Success
DATE
21 OCT 2011
LAUNCH PROVIDER
Arianespace
Launch Pad
Soyuz Launch Complex
Description
The first two In Orbit Validation satellites of the Galileo constellation. The Galileo constellation is ESA's satellite navigation system and is expected to be completed by 2020. Galileo will provide Europe with an alternative to the American GPS and Russian GLONASS constellations, but will be interoperable with both systems. First launch of the Soyuz rocket from the Guiana Space Centre.
Soyuz STB Fregat
Rocket Description
The 2.1b version adds an upgraded engine (RD-0124) with improved performance to the second stage. First launch took place from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 on 26 July 2008 with a classified military payload. The 2.1b/ST version is sometimes called Soyuz ST-B.