The European Space Agency (ESA) has reached an agreement
with its member states and the European Union for the development
of the Galileo satellite-based navigation system, which will rival
the US Global Positioning System (GPS).
The agreement comes just weeks ahead of an international
conference where frequencies for the EU system and power levels for
the next generation of GPS satellites will be determined.
The ESA said that the agreementclears the way for the formation
of the Galileo Joint Undertaking, which will have the task of
co-ordinating the development and deployment of the Galileo
system.
"This is a great day for Europe in general and its space
community in particular," said ESA director general Antonio
Rodota.
"Conscious of the economic, industrial and strategic importance
of satellite navigation, our member states have reached agreement
in the common interest. We are now able to continue with Galileo, a
major program from which all citizens will benefit. Galileo is
definitely a reality."
US officials had expressed concerns about the European system,
saying they feared that it might interfere with GPS, which is used
to guide "smart" weapons by the military.
ESA spokesman Dominique Detain said Galileo will cost $3.7bn.
The agency expected to launch the first of 30 satellites (27 active
and three spares) in 2006, with the final system completed in
2008.
Since Galileo will transmit its signals within the same
1164-to-1559-MHz frequency band now used by GPS, GPS consultants
expect the EU system will lead to development of receivers that can
pick up signals from both systems, providing better availability
and, potentially, improved accuracy.
Before the ESA can proceed, it must first obtain the rights to
the frequencies.
Bob Brewin writes for Computerworld