Galileo moves forward (Forwarded)

ESA News
http://www.esa.int

19 July 2004

Galileo moves forward

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.

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.

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.

The experimental satellite will be launched before the end of 2005. The in-orbit
validation will take place before 2007.

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 56 deg 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/home-ind/ESA-Arti...173608313.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 System Test Bed (GSTB-V1) website
http://www.gstb-v1.esa.int
* Galileo Joint Undertaking (GJU)
http://www.GalileoJU.com
* Galileo website (European Commission)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/energy...o/index_en.htm
* CENC
http://www.cenc.org.cn/en/
* GLONASS
http://www.glonass-center.ru/

More information

* What is Galileo?
http://www.esa.int/esaNA/GGGMX650NDC_index_0.html
* Why Europe needs Galileo
http://www.esa.int/esaNA/GGG0H750NDC_index_0.html
* Who's involved in Galileo?
http://www.esa.int/esaNA/GGG28850NDC_index_0.html
* Galileo technology developments
http://www.esa.int/esaNA/ESAGKWU9EYC_index_0.html

Galileo videos

* Europe shows the way - Windows media player, Dial-up connection
http://esa.capcave.com/wmp/galifin_10092003_wmplow.wmv
* Europe shows the way - Windows media player, Hi-speed connection
http://esa.capcave.com/wmp/galifin_10092003_wmphigh.wmv
* Europe shows the way - Quick time, Dial-up connection
http://esa.capcave.com/qt/galifin_10092003_qtlow.mov
* Europe shows the way - Quick time, Hi-speed connection
http://esa.capcave.com/qt/galifin_10092003_qthigh.mov

IMAGE CAPTIONS:

[Image 1:
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEMW..._index_1.html]
Galileo -- an accurate and secured means of satellite positioning

Galileo’s new technology will revolutionise our transport systems, increasing
safety and improving efficiency; this will make for better quality of life and
less pollution in our cities. Galileo will also bring benefits in other aspects
of everyday life, with precision farming raising yields, improved information
for emergency services speeding up response times, and more reliable and
accurate time signals underpinning our most vital computer and communications
networks.

Credits: ESA-J.Huart

[Image 2:
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEMW...html#subhead2]
Contracts were signed for the development of the four experimental Galileo
System Test Bed (GSTB) satellites.

Credits: ESA

[Image 3:
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEMW...html#subhead3]
Hydrogen maser clock

Credits: ESA

[Image 4:
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEMW...html#subhead4]
Galileo System Test Bed (GSTB) launch contract is signed. From left to right:
Claudio Mastracci, ESA Director of Applications, Thomas Beer ESA Contract
Department and Michel Doubovick, Starsem Vice President, Administration &
Finance sign the contract for the launch of the experimental satellite for the
Galileo System Test Bed.

Credits: ESA

[Image 5:
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEMW...html#subhead5]
Europe's satellite navigation system, called Galileo, is planned to become
operational in 2008.

Credits: ESA