Europe launches Galileo satellite quartet

Europe has extended its satellite-navigation system by putting another four spacecraft in orbit. They went up on an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana, leaving the ground at 10:06 (13:06 GMT). It is the first time Europe's premier launch vehicle has been used to loft Galileo satellites. Normally, they go up on a Russian Soyuz, two at a time. Mission success was declared once the quartet had been safely ejected from Ariane's upper-stage. Controllers immediately made contact with the satellites and confirmed their solar panels were deployed and generating power. The flight brings Galileo's in-orbit constellation to 18 spacecraft. More

(Source: BBC News - Nov 18)