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Galileo satellites launched into wrong orbit - Arianespace
2014-08-25 09:26:00| Telecompaper Headlines
(Telecompaper) Arianespace has confirmed that two satellites intended to form part of the Galileo constellation, the EU's flagship satellite navigation system, have been launched into the wrong orbit. The satellites were launched aboard a Soyuz rocket that blasted off from French Guiana on 22 August. Although the liftoff and first part of the mission proceeded "nominally", according to Arianespace, they ended up in off-target orbits. "While it is too early to determine the exact causes, we would like to offer our sincere excuses to the European Space Agency and the European Commission for this orbital injection that did not meet expectations," said Arianespace chairman and CEO Stephane Israel. The European Commission said it was closely monitoring the situation and had requested the launch of an inquiry "to clarify the circumstances and the potential implications for the mission."
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Category:Telecommunications