Soyuz Lifts Off From French Guiana With Two Galileo FOC Spacecraft

Arianespaces Soyuz launcher has begun its latest mission from the Spaceport, carrying two Full Operational Capability (FOC) satellites for Europes Galileo navigation system. Soyuz is to deploy its passengers on a flight lasting approximately 3 hrs. , 48 min. Payload lift performance for todays mission which is designated Flight VS13 in Arianespaces launcher family numbering system is estimated at 1, 603 kg. Galileos FOC phase is being funded and managed by the European Commission, which has design