The European Commission (EC) has purchased six more satellites to add to the total Galileo global positioning system (GPS) satellite network, as well as cutting $717 million from the final bill, reports Reuters. A total of 24 satellites will be put into orbit, up from 18, with the first satellites expected to be put into operational service in 2014.
Galileo is a point of European pride, representing both a technological achievement and independence from U.S. and Russian GPS systems. The EC estimates Galileo will deliver 60 billion euros to the European economy over 20 years. The total cost is now estimated at 4.8 billion euros.
About 500 million more euros will be spent up front to add the extra 6 satellites to Galileo, according to the BBC, ultimately accelerating the completion date of the project and providing greater positional accuracy. Buying more satellites up front allows the EC to pressure manufacturers to drop costs.
Galileo is expected to deliver positioning data to under a meter, and offer improved performance in city "urban canyons" where (U.S.) GPS signals can be obstructed by buildings. (...)
Galileo users will get positional information and local time derived from signals delivered by four or more satellites, using the onboard atomic clocks. However, the clocks and satellites are subject to drift, requiring monitoring of timing accuracy and the orbital position of all satellites and signal quality. Thales Aleina will conduct the monitoring and provide correctional data to be broadcast as a part of the Galileo signals.
In addition, Thales Aleina's part of the work will forward search and rescue signals to the appropriate authorities and distribute commercial positioning signals. There's also a separate, more accurate military signal available to European governments.
Two Galileo In-Orbit validation satellites will be launched into orbit this fall on the first Soyuz flown from French Guyana. Further batches will be launched every year until the full constellation is completed around 2015-2016.
By Doug Mohney, Contributing Editor
June 24, 2011
Galileo is a point of European pride, representing both a technological achievement and independence from U.S. and Russian GPS systems. The EC estimates Galileo will deliver 60 billion euros to the European economy over 20 years. The total cost is now estimated at 4.8 billion euros.
About 500 million more euros will be spent up front to add the extra 6 satellites to Galileo, according to the BBC, ultimately accelerating the completion date of the project and providing greater positional accuracy. Buying more satellites up front allows the EC to pressure manufacturers to drop costs.
Galileo is expected to deliver positioning data to under a meter, and offer improved performance in city "urban canyons" where (U.S.) GPS signals can be obstructed by buildings. (...)
Galileo users will get positional information and local time derived from signals delivered by four or more satellites, using the onboard atomic clocks. However, the clocks and satellites are subject to drift, requiring monitoring of timing accuracy and the orbital position of all satellites and signal quality. Thales Aleina will conduct the monitoring and provide correctional data to be broadcast as a part of the Galileo signals.
In addition, Thales Aleina's part of the work will forward search and rescue signals to the appropriate authorities and distribute commercial positioning signals. There's also a separate, more accurate military signal available to European governments.
Two Galileo In-Orbit validation satellites will be launched into orbit this fall on the first Soyuz flown from French Guyana. Further batches will be launched every year until the full constellation is completed around 2015-2016.
By Doug Mohney, Contributing Editor
June 24, 2011
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