European satellite and navigation industries are on track with design and development planning for the continent's second- generation satellite navigation system, Galileo, says Hans Fromm, deputy head of the European Space Agency's navigation department. A European Union decision on go-ahead to launch development of the system is set for the year-end.
The EU Transport Council will decide on launching development of the satellite navigation system at its meeting on 20/21 December, after completing ongoing definition studies on system design, financial, legal, operational and international aspects.
Galileo, which will be independent of the US global positioning system (GPS), is seen by Europe as a solution to concerns over US military control of GPS. "Europe cannot afford not to have an independent satellite navigation system," says Fromm. Assuming EU ministers make an implementation decision, full operational capability of Galileo is set for 2008, with a trial service due from 2004. "We believe we can do it and we don't want it any later [than 2008]. We are on track and confident it [Galileo] will go ahead," he says.
Galileo will comprise 24-30 medium Earth orbit satellites over Europe. They will weigh around 600kg (1,320lb), but will "be nothing spectacular, rather straightforward satellites", says Fromm.
Galileo is expected to cost c3 billion ($2.8 billion) through to system completion and will be financed through a public-private partnership (PPP), with c1 billion coming from ESA and European Commission budgets. Two industry consortia are interested in providing funding through the PPP - Galileo Industries, comprising Alcatel Space of France, Italy's Alenia Spazio and Astrium; and Thomson-CSF Racal-led Siderius. "Over the next few months we will determine where the funding will be coming from," says Fromm.
Meanwhile, Europe's first-generation satellite navigation system, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System, is proceeding as planned.
Source: Flight International
