Russian rocket puts 2 satellites in orbit

MOSCOW, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- A Russian rocket launched from French Guiana has put two satellites into orbit, the Russian space agency Roscosmos said.

The rocket was launched Friday evening from the Kourou space center, RIA Novosti reported.

The satellites separated from the rocket about 4 hours after liftoff.

The Galileo-IOV (In-Orbit Validation) communications satellites are part of the European analogue version of the United States' GPS, which is set to expand to 30 satellites and is expected to be in full service by 2020.

Two other Galileo satellites were put into orbit in 2011.

Developers say the Galileo navigation system will be more precise than the GPS.