On 22 August, at 12:27 GMT/14:27 CEST, a Soyuz rocket launched Europe’s fifth and six Galileo satellites from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Rewatch the moment of launch here.<br /><br />These new satellites are intended to join four Galileo satellites already in orbit, launched in October 2011 and October 2012 respectively. This first quartet were ‘In-Orbit Validation’ satellites, serving to demonstrate the Galileo system would function as planned.<br /><br />These ‘Full Operational Capability’ satellites are significant as the first of the rest of the Galileo constellation. A steady stream of launches will follow to build the complete Galileo constellation.<br /><br />This deployment phase of the Galileo programme is being managed and funded by the European Commission, with ESA acting as design and procurement agent on behalf of the Commission.<br /><br />Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace
