Second Galileo satellite launched successfully

The second Galileo satellite is now in orbit

The second test satellite for European GPS Galileo was launched successfully from Kazakhstan on Sunday.

Giove-B (Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element-B) will test technologies for the Galileo network, which is due to become operational in 2013.

Giove-B has been built by an industrial consortium headed by Astrium GmbH (Germany) while Thales Alenia Space (Italy) as subcontractor has carried out satellite assembly, integration and testing.

The payload for Giove-B has been developed by EADS Astrium in the UK.

Science and innovation minister Ian Pearson said the UK was still committed to the project.

"I am pleased that British companies will continue to play key roles within the community-funded Galileo programme. It is a clear demonstration that the UK remains at the core of space development both in ESA and the EU," said Pearson.

The project ran into problems last year after major private sector investors pulled funding, but was saved with an emergency rescue package largely derived from EU agricultural budgets.

In November the Commons Transport Committee recommended that the UK halt investment without guaranteed financial returns.

But the government decided to continue its involvement after a study found the benefit to the UK economy of Galileo between 2013 and 2025 is likely to be up to £14.2bn.