Galileo launch brings European navigation system closer to reality

While the launch of both satellites has not gone completely to plan – there have been confirmed reports of a slight flight path anomaly – both satellites are under control.

Galileo is an exciting project that will establish Europe’s very own global satellite navigation system, offering real-time positioning down to a metre or less. Once complete, the network will consist of 30 satellites and their ground infrastructure, working alongside existing GPS positioning and the Russian Glonass system.

Given EU estimates that European GDP is reliant on GPS applications to the tune of €800bn per annum, the project is seen as a vitally important long term investment in European technology. New businesses will be able to exploit the precise timing and location data delivered from orbit.

Furthermore, the availability of the service will be guaranteed under all but the most extreme circumstances and will inform users within seconds of any satellite failure. This makes it suitable for safety-critical applications such as guiding cars, running trains and landing aircraft. As a further feature, Galileo will provide a global Search and Rescue (SAR) function; satellites will be equipped with a transponder, which is able to transfer distress signals from user transmitters to regional rescue coordination centres.

After each satellite is put into operation, it is capable of broadcasting a navigation signal valid for users with a combined Galileo/GPS receiver. There are already receivers on the market that have this capability. In this way, the Galileo satellite navigation system is being built up piece by piece.

ESA expects to have the complete (or certainly, nearly complete) satellite constellation in orbit by 2017. This month’s launch of a Soyuz rocket carried the fifth and sixth Galileo satellites, with an estimated six to eight satellites now scheduled for launch each year. To this end, the agency has just ordered three big Ariane-5 rockets at a cost of half a billion euros.

With respect to the current flight path of satellites five and six, ESA says that studies are ongoing to determine the scope of the anomaly and its impact on the mission. Further information on the status of the satellites will be made available after a preliminary analysis of the situation.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.

ESA has 20 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, of whom 18 are Member States of the EU. It also has Cooperation Agreements with eight other Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.