At 08:19 by Moscow time Russian carrier rocket Souz with first GIOVE A satellite of new European navigational system Galileo was launched from Baikonur cosmodrome. This was announced by representative of Roscosmos command post.

The launch of the satellite was planned on December 26 but Roscosmos administration decided to postpone the start till December 28 by request of the customer - European space agency.

Spacecraft will be orbited at 12:02 by Moscow time. The satellite will operate on geotransitional orbit at the height of 23 thousands km. It will test modern technologies of future European system of global positioning in real conditions. Project Galileo lies in ascent of 30 spacecrafts: 27 operative and 3 reserve.
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