Page 26 - Italy In Space

Positioning, navigation and timing [3]

December 28, 2005. The first experimental GIOVE-A ("Galileo In-Orbit Validation Elements"), was
launched from Baikonur with the purpose of qualifying some critical technologies (such as antennas
and the atomic clocks). The covers was cancelled with three postmarks: the special bilingual cancel
put in services since 17 Aug. 1996 (top center); the zip-code postmark in use since 27.6.2003 (below;
the “x” indicates that this is the rubber device, and not the metal) and the special “Soyuz” postmark
in use since 16.7.2002 (on the stamp). The postmarks are genuine, but the cover wasn’t really run.

21 October 2011 The first two operational satellites of the future Galileo constellation were
successfully put into orbit.. They carry onboard a rubidium atomic clock and a sophisticated hydrogen
maser, the most stable time reference ever flown in space. Commemorative cover postmarked on the
day of launch with standard Kourou manual postmark.

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