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Design flaw led navigation satellites off course

By WTOP Staff

PARIS (AP) — An investigation is blaming a design flaw for the inaccurate deployment of two satellites intended to bolster Europe’s answer to the GPS.

The results of the inquiry, released Wednesday by launch company Arianespace, said the error happened about 35 minutes into the Aug. 22 liftoff, when the satellites were sent into the wrong orbits. The inquiry found that a line of cold helium froze a crucial chemical compound in a nearby feed line.

The European Union hopes to have its 30-satellite Galileo navigation network operating fully by 2020. The European Space Agency says it hopes Galileo will provide greater precision for satellite navigation systems.

The inquiry found that the flaw in the fourth stage of the launch could be corrected in time for a planned December Soyuz mission.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Emergency guide: What you should do to prepare for emergencies

By WTOP Staff
WASHINGTON — Do you know what you'd do if an emergency hits? What if you're at work, your spouse is stuck in traffic and your children are in school? There's no way to plan for every emergency, but you can make sure you're prepared for different scenarios, including making a plan for your family and building a kit of emergency supplies.
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