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Galileo
After the successful launch of the GIOVE-A satellite on 28 December 2005 and the reception of the first Galileo signal on 12 January 2006, the programme is now further progressing with the signature of the contract for the development and in-orbit validation of the constellation?s first four satellites, which are due to be in orbit by 2008. The Galileo system that will benefit all modes of transport including road, rail, sea and air travel. Galileo will, in particular, result in real and direct benefits to civil aviation. The clearest of these is the fact that satellite navigation will become a fully redundant service for civil aviation users in the event of a satellite or system failure. Galileo will consist of a constellation of 30 satellites in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) only. The 30 Galileo satellites will be 3 orbital planes inclined at 54? and at an altitude of around 23,000 km. Naturally enough, there is opposition to Galileo, unsurprisingly, the loudest opposing voices are from those who want GPS to be the sole satellite navigation system (although not everyone in the US thinks this way). The US may continue to make carefully timed announcements about GPS in an attempt to stall or derail Galileo, but these are unlikely to have any real effect. One of the most sensitive issues, is that Galileo will be a civil navigation service and will not be controlled by the military. Although this aspect is often played down by the US, it has certainly delayed the exploitation of GPS |
Galileo
is an initiative of the European Union, in collaboration with the European
Space Agency and European Industry. Galileo is the European financed global
satellite navigation system under civilian control.