Galileo satellites ejected from dispenser

The Galileo launch dispenser, designed for Arianespace by RUAG Space Sweden, secured the twin Galileo IOV satellites in place during the take-off of their Soyuz ST-B. The satellites remained attached to the dispenser for about three hours 40 minutes after launch. Then, when the three-stage Soyuz ST-B’s additional Fregat MT upper stage reached the planned 23,222 km orbit, the dispenser fired a pyrotechnic separation system to release them in opposing directions.