Galileo moves forward


Galileo
 
Galileo - an accurate and secured means of satellite positioning
 
 
19 July 2004
 
The GalileoSat development and in-orbit validation phase is well under way and the European Space Agency (ESA) has just released its procurement process to Industry indicating that the first completely civil satellite navigation system is moving forward.
 
  
 
 Galileo Implementation: a phased approach
  
The Galileo Programme is being implemented in three phases:
  • Definition phase
  • Development and in-orbit validation
  • Full Deployment and Operations
The Definition phase was completed in 2003 resulting in the basic specifications for the system.
  
 
Contracts signed for the development of GSTB satellites
 
Contracts signed for the development of GSTB satellites
 
 
The Development and In-Orbit Validation phase was initiated in late 2003. This phase aims to perform an in-orbit validation of the system using a reduced constellation of four satellites which is the minimum number to guarantee the provision of exact positioning and time at test locations.
  
 
Hydrogen maser clock
 
Hydrogen maser clock
 
 
Early in this phase, an experimental satellite will also be launched, to secure the Galileo frequency filings, to characterize the orbits to be used by the in-orbit validation satellites and to test some of the critical technologies, such as the atomic clocks.
  
 
Galileo System Test Bed (GSTB) launch contract signed
 
Galileo System Test Bed (GSTB) launch contract is signed
 
 
The experimental satellite will be launched before the end of 2005. The in-orbit validation will take place before 2007.
  
 
Galileo constellation
 
Galileo constellation
 
 
The Development and In-Orbit Validation phase will be followed by the Full Deployment phase which will cover the manufacturing and launch of the remaining satellites and the completion of the ground segment. Once all satellites have been fully deployed, the operation will initiate with the complete constellation of 27 operational satellites and three in reserve, all stationed on three circular Medium Earth Orbits (MEOs) at an altitude of 23 222 km and with an inclination of 56º to the equator. To support this there will be an extensive network of ground stations, and local and regional service centres.

For its part the Galileo Joint Undertaking, created jointly by the European Commission and ESA, started the process for choosing the concessionaire, the future “Galileo Operating Company” which will take charge of the final deployment then the operations.
  
 
 Galileo: a global dimension in international cooperation
  
In parallel to these technical steps the political aspects of this programme are evolving with the agreement dealt between the European Union and the United States. This agreement was signed in June 2004 at the EU-US summit in Dublin. This allows to truly envisage the compatibility and interoperability of Galileo and GPS for the benefit of everyone. Galileo with GPS, not forgetting the Russian system GLONASS, should become the world standard for satellite navigation. This underlines the global dimension of Galileo with agreements with other countries like China, India, Canada, Israel either signed or under discussion.

All phases of Galileo are advancing in the same direction for the implementation of a system that will revolutionize our daily lives in various sectors, offering Europeans, and indeed the world at large, an accurate and secured means of satellite positioning.
  
 

Related news

 •  Industry invited to Galileo kick-off meeting (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Industry/SEM88553R8F_0.html)
 •  ESA Navigation Applications Development Facilities to support new projects (http://www.esa.int/esaNA/SEMGWDHHZTD_index_0.html)
 •  First prototype of Galileo ground segment (http://www.esa.int/esaNA/SEMZ2L67ESD_index_0.html)
 •  Contract signed for launch of two experimental Galileo satellites (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMPYP2PGQD_index_0.html)
 •  ESA welcomes setting-up of Galileo Joint Undertaking (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMCO8T1VED_index_0.html)

Related links

 •  Galileo Joint Undertaking (GJU) (http://www.GalileoJU.com)
 •  Galileo website (European Commission) (http://ec.europa.eu/galileo)
 •  CENC (http://www.cenc.org.cn/portal/index.html)
 •  Glonass (http://www.glonass-ianc.rsa.ru)

More about...

 •  What is Galileo? (http://www.esa.int/esaNA/GGGMX650NDC_galileo_0.html)
 •  Why Europe needs Galileo (http://www.esa.int/esaNA/GGG0H750NDC_galileo_0.html)
 •  Who's involved in Galileo? (http://www.esa.int/esaNA/GGG28850NDC_galileo_0.html)
 •  Galileo technology developments (http://www.esa.int/esaNA/ESAGKWU9EYC_galileo_0.html)

Galileo videos

 • 
Europe shows the way - Windows media player (http://download.esa.int/Archive/wmv/galifin_10092003_wmplow.wmv)
 • 
Europe shows the way - Windows media player (http://download.esa.int/Archive/wmv/galifin_10092003_wmphigh.wmv)
 • 
Europe shows the way - Quick time (http://download.esa.int/Archive/Quicktime/galifin_10092003_qtlow.mov)
 • 
Europe shows the way - Quick time (http://download.esa.int/Archive/Quicktime/galifin_10092003_qthigh.mov)