After the private European companies picked to build the controversial Galileo space-based navigation system couldnt find a way to make it work financially, the European Union has decided to build the system itself, at an estimated cost (some say conservative) of $4.6 billion. The system, which will use 30 satellites and is touted as being more accurate than the U.S. Air Forces GPS, is expected to be operational by 2012. Last month a consortium of eight European companies walked away from the project, saying the costs were too high. Although the U.S.-based system works fine in Europe, the European Union sees developing Galileo as a high-tech job creator, which is not enough for critics who say it isnt needed. But while GPS is fine for civilian aircraft, the strategic advantages of a proprietary satellite navigation system are likely the impetus behind the EUs decision. GPS signals can be degraded, distorted and shut off at the discretion of the U.S. Air Force, something European military leaders are likely not happy about.
EU Going Ahead With Galileo
Key Takeaways:
- The European Union has taken over the development of its Galileo space-based navigation system, after private European companies abandoned the project due to high costs and financial viability issues.
- Estimated at $4.6 billion and expected to be operational by 2012, the 30-satellite system aims to be more accurate than the U.S. GPS.
- The key motivation for the EU's decision is strategic independence, providing a proprietary navigation system that cannot be controlled, degraded, or shut off by the U.S. Air Force, unlike GPS.
See a mistake? Contact us.
