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Europe hoists first navigation satellites post mislaunch

AFP
A Soyuz rocket, which on March 27, 2015 was launched carrying two satellites for Europe's Galileo navigation system, is moved from its assembly building to its launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, on March 24, 2015

Europe launched two navigation satellites Friday for its rival to America's GPS system, the first additions to the Galileo constellation since a technical mishap misdirected two orbiters last year.

Galileo's seventh and eighth satellites were hoisted from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 2146 GMT (6:46 pm local time), according to a live broadcast on the European Space Agency (ESA) website.

They were hoisted on a Russian Soyuz rocket -- the same type that malfunctioned last August -- to form part of the ultimately 30-strong constellation.

The first three stages will last just over nine minutes, including discarding the boosters and the rocket's outer casing, or fairing.

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The satellites are meant to separate from the fourth and final stage, called Fregat, after a total mission time of 03:47:57.

Confirmation of the pair's successful insertion into orbit should be announced around 0300 GMT, according to ESA.