Galileo satellites to begin validation phase

Testing is to begin on the Galileo satellite navigation system following the successful launch of two satellites from French Guiana on 12 October.

The satellites, called David and Sif, have joined a second pair already in orbit since October 2011. The four devices are sufficient to begin the validation phase of the project to determine the efficiency of the system, which will involve the first calculation of global positions based solely on Galileo signals.