The Giove-B satellite shot into space atop a Soyuz-FG rocket launched from the Baikonur facility in Kazakhstan, entering orbit at 8:01 a.m. (0201GMT) as planned, the Russian space agency Roskosmos said.
The Fregat successfully carried out the first 20 seconds burn. The next burn will be in about 60 minutes. Satellite separation is scheduled for 2:01 GMT on April 27.
The Soyuz launch vehicle was transferred on April 23 onto the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazahstan). The Giove-B navigation satellite will be boosted by Starsem, Arianespace`s affiliate, for the European Space Agency (ESA). The launch will occur on Saturday, April 26 at 10:16 p.m. UTC.
04:16 a.m. (Baikonur time) on April 27, 02:16 a.m. (Moscow time) on April 27, 00:16 a.m. (Paris time) on April 27.