Brussels, 02/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 28 September this year, two further satellites will be launched, in addition the satellites already in orbit, and will constitute the beginning of the constellation of Galileo, the European satellite navigation programme. Just under a year after the launch of the first two satellites, the European station of Kourou in French Guiana will be made available to the European Space Agency, which is implementing the Galileo programme on behalf of the European Commission, to send the next satellites.
Creating new applications. The new satellites will be part of the in-orbit validation phase (IOV) already under way. This phase makes it possible to carry out deployment and satellite operation trials, and trials on the infrastructure on the ground with which they communicate. This should also encourage European businesses - which remain none too enthusiastic at this stage - to get involved in the adventure in their turn, creating innovative products to use the Galileo signal, as the European commissioner in charge of industry and entrepreneurship, Antonio Tajani, is keen for them to do: “I call upon European companies and in particular on the many small and medium size enterprises to get down to business, to innovate and be ready with their products when we deliver Galileo in 2014. This is what we urgently need in the current economic climate.” With applications which could flourish in a number of fields, such as transport, financial transactions or electronic networks, it is estimated that the Galileo market will be worth €250 billion in 2020. Indeed, Galileo will stand out from its American competitor, GPS, even though the latter is extremely widespread, by being much more precise and reliable. However, Galileo will be compatible with GPS, whilst remaining independent and under civil European control.
More launches in 2013. With this new launch in the autumn, the EU is continuing to steer its course and observing its timetable. “Galileo continues to deliver, is on track and within the agreed budget”, stressed Tajani. As of next year, launches will become more frequent, so that there will be 26 satellites in orbit before the end of 2015. In order to speed up the pace still further, the Ariane 5 launcher is to be adapted so that it can carry four satellites, instead of two at the moment (this is the subject of a contract with the French company Astrium SAS). Eventually, no fewer than 30 satellites will make up the Galileo constellation, together with control centres throughout Europe, and a network of sensor stations and uplink stations around the globe. (MD/transl.fl)