[Satellite Today – 4-28-08] Europe’s satellite navigation program has been boosted by the launch of the GIOVE-B (Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element) satellite, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced April 27.
    GIOVE-B was lofted into orbit by a Soyuz/Fregat rocket provided by Starsem. The satellite, built by a European industrial team led by Astrium GmbH, with Thales Alenia Space performing integration and testing, will continue the demonstration of technologies for the navigation payload of future Galileo satellites.
    Separately, Cartosat-2A, the Indian Space Research Organization’s remote sensing satellite was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center by a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle April 28. The rocket also delivered Indian Mini Satellite and eight nanosatellites.