A handout photo dated 15 October 2011 and provided by the European Space Agency ESA shows the Soyuz VS01 rocket in Kourou, French Guiana. European space experts are holding their breath 19 October 2011 as the first two operational Galileo navigational satellites are about to be launched 20 October 2011 from Europe‘s space port in Kourou, French Guiana. The ambitious Galileo project is aimed at providing Europe with an independent global satellite navigation system under civilian control, breaking the current hegemony in the area held by GPS (Global Positioning System), which is run by the US government. EPA/ESA / STEPHANE CORVAJA / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
A handout photo dated 15 October 2011 and provided by the European Space Agency ESA shows the Soyuz VS01 rocket in Kourou, French Guiana. European space experts are holding their breath 19 October 2011 as the first two operational Galileo navigational satellites are about to be launched 20 October 2011 from Europe‘s space port in Kourou, French Guiana. The ambitious Galileo project is aimed at providing Europe with an independent global satellite navigation system under civilian control, breaking the current hegemony in the area held by GPS (Global Positioning System), which is run by the US government. EPA/ESA / STEPHANE CORVAJA / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
A handout photo dated 15 October 2011 and provided by the European Space Agency ESA shows the Soyuz VS01 rocket in Kourou, French Guiana. European space experts are holding their breath 19 October 2011 as the first two operational Galileo navigational satellites are about to be launched 20 October 2011 from Europe‘s space port in Kourou, French Guiana. The ambitious Galileo project is aimed at providing Europe with an independent global satellite navigation system under civilian control, breaking the current hegemony in the area held by GPS (Global Positioning System), which is run by the US government. EPA/ESA / STEPHANE CORVAJA / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
A handout photo dated 14 October 2011 provided by the European Space Agency ESA shows the twin Galileo satellites, safely encapsulated within their Upper Composite, were placed atop their Soyuz VS01 rocket in Kourou, French Guiana. European space experts are holding their breath 19 October 2011 as the first two operational Galileo navigational satellites are about to be launched 20 October 2011 from Europe‘s space port in Kourou, French Guiana. The ambitious Galileo project is aimed at providing Europe with an independent global satellite navigation system under civilian control, breaking the current hegemony in the area held by GPS (Global Positioning System), which is run by the US government. EPA/ESA / STEPHANE CORVAJA / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
A handout photo dated 15 October 2011 provided by the European Space Agency ESA shows the preparations for the first launch of a Soyuz VS01 rocket in Kourou, French Guiana. The rocket on 14 October was rolled out horizontally from its preparation building to its erecter at the launch zone. European space experts are holding their breath 19 October 2011 as the first two operational Galileo navigational satellites are about to be launched 20 October 2011 from Europe‘s space port in Kourou, French Guiana. The ambitious Galileo project is aimed at providing Europe with an independent global satellite navigation system under civilian control, breaking the current hegemony in the area held by GPS (Global Positioning System), which is run by the US government. EPA/ESA / STEPHANE CORVAJA / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
A handout photo dated 15 October 2011 provided by the European Space Agency ESA shows the preparations for the first launch of a Soyuz VS01 rocket in Kourou, French Guiana. The rocket on 14 October was rolled out horizontally from its preparation building to its erecter at the launch zone. European space experts are holding their breath 19 October 2011 as the first two operational Galileo navigational satellites are about to be launched 20 October 2011 from Europe‘s space port in Kourou, French Guiana. The ambitious Galileo project is aimed at providing Europe with an independent global satellite navigation system under civilian control, breaking the current hegemony in the area held by GPS (Global Positioning System), which is run by the US government. EPA/ESA / STEPHANE CORVAJA / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
