Two Galileo Validating Satellites to Rise in October
May 24, 2011The European Commission predicted the first two operational satellites of the European Union’s Galileo global navigation satellite system will launch into space on October 20 of this year, and that this will keep the system on track for provision of initial navigation services in 2014 and completion of the constellation by 2019.
Antonio Tajani, EC vice-president for industry and entrepreneurship, said: “Thousands of small-to-medium enterprises and innovators across Europe will be able to spot business opportunities, to create and develop their products based on the future Galileo infrastructure. Galileo is value for money and I count on Members States’ cooperation to find a solution for the financing of Galileo."
The decision to fix the date of the first launch reportedly follows a detailed assessment review under the chairmanship of the European Space Agency. It concluded that the space and ground segment components as well as operational preparedness are progressing according to schedule.
Tajani further characterized the system as “built by Europeans for Europeans.” The EC counts on Galileo to deliver €60 billion to the European economy over a period of 20 years in terms of additional revenues for the industry and in terms of public and social benefits, not counting the benefit of independence from other satellite navigation systems and services.
Further wording in the communiqué hedged the effective date of operations a bit by stating that “Galileo will provide three early services in 2014/2015 based on an initial constellation of 18 satellites: an initial Open Service, an initial Public Regulated Service and an initial Search-and-Rescue Service.”
The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), a regional augmentation system for GPS signals and the precursor to Galileo, has been operational in its open service. since October 2009. The EC declared the EGNOS safety-of-life service for aviation operational in March of this year.
RSS
Become a Fan
Join our Network
Follow Us
Please send any technical comments or questions to our webmaster.