24/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - Successful sending in to orbit of Galileo 13 and 14 satellites. The 13th and 14th satellites from the Galileo constellation have been successfully sent into orbit using the Soyuz launcher on Tuesday 24 May at 5h48 (Kourou local time) at the space centre in French Guyana (CGS). This is the seventh successful launch from the Russian launcher in the Galileo programme, according to an announcement made by Arianespace, which is in charge of the operations. Following confirmation of the satellites' availability, the European Commission (also an owner of the satellites) decided to adjourn this launch last February, in addition to the one planned last November with Ariane 5 ES. There will therefore be an additional six Galileo satellites deployed in 2016. The programme will provide its first services before the end of the year and is expected to be fully operational by 2020, once the 30 satellites are operational. (PH)