Russian Soyuz-ST-B orbits two European Galileo-IOV satellitesOctober 13, 2012 - 12:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A Russian Soyuz-ST-B carrier rocket, launched on Friday, Oct 12 evening from the Kourou space center in French Guiana, has orbited two Galileo-IOV (In-Orbit Validation) communications satellites, Russian space agency Roscosmos said. The blastoff occurred at 1815 GMT on Friday. Some four hours after, the satellites got separated from the Soyuz-ST-B. The satellites are the third and fourth in global navigation satellite system Galileo, the European analogue of the US GPS, which is set to eventually expand to 30 satellites, including 27 operational ones and three spares. The first two satellites were put in orbit in 2011 on board a Soyuz carrier rocket. Galileo is expected to be in full service by 2020, and could become partially operational by 2015. Its satellites will be in 23,200-km (14,415-mile) orbits in three orbital planes with an inclination of 56 degrees. Developers claim the navigation system will be more precise than the GPS, RIA Novosti reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |