TIM FURNISS
European Space Agency officials at the show have announced that the first experimental satellite to fly a Galileo navigation system testbed mission will be launched in late 2004.
The satellite is designed to test critical technologies already under development under ESA contracts. Up to four operational satellites will be launched in 2005-06 to validate the basic Galileo space-ground system, followed by the remaining satellites for full operational capability in 2008.
There will be 27 operational and three in-orbit spare satellites, positioned in orbital planes at 23,616km (14,668 miles) altitude and 56deg inclination, providing good coverage up to latitude of 75º north. The system to be operational in 2008 will cost an estimated e3.2 billion ($3.2 billion).
Risk
Many people question the need for Galileo, since Europe can use the US Global Positioning System (GPS), provided by Navstar satellites and the Russian Glonass satellite system.
The risk of signal failure causing chaos and a risk to human safety, the need for European independence and the wider coverage of Galileo to meet the European needs seem enough for the European Commission and ESA to take this major step. GPS, Glonass and Galileo will be interoperable and under civilian control and there will be huge opportunities for European GPS receiver and equipment manufacturers. The system could create 140,000 new jobs across Europe.
The operational Galileo will be preceded by the e300 million EGNOS system which will improve on the information provided by GPS and Glonass, particularly to make all forms of transportation safer.
Initially, EGNOS is using a specially-equipped Inmarsat satellite but eventually will involve three geostationary satellites providing enhanced positioning accuracy of 5m (16ft), compared with the present 20m available to civilian GPS users. EGNOS is a joint programme of the Tripartite Group comprising the EU, ESA and Eurcontrol and will be operational by 2004.
Source: Flight Daily News
