Services of Galileo, the European satellite navigation program will start by the end of 2014, which will open up new business opportunities.
With the launch of six additional Galileo satellites, Europeans will soon be able to enjoy their own satellite navigation system. The first Copernicus satellite launch scheduled in March will also enable considerable progress in improving maritime security, climate change monitoring and providing support in emergency and crisis situations.
The progress made in both European space programs- Galileo and Copernicus – was unveiled by Vice-President Antonio Tajani following a meeting with Jean Jacques Dordain, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the CEOs of five main companies involved: Arianespace, Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space, OHB and Airbus Space and Defence.
At the end of the meeting, all five companies and the ESA expressed their strong commitment to the launch of additional satellites for the two space programs in 2014.This will make Galileo services available by the end of 2014/beginning of 2015, meeting the needs of Europeans in the fields of telecommunications, avoiding the use of the American GPS.
Speaking during the meeting, European Commission vice-President Antonio Tajani, responsible for industry and entrepreneurship called for enhancing dialogue between the key players in industry, the ESA and European Commission.
“The success of Galileo and Copernicus programs depends on the commitment and support of the space industry and the ESA”, he added, saying that Galileo will start its first operations in 2014, while Copernicus is just entering the operational phase.
Galileo and Copernicus are complementary systems making use of satellite technologies. Both systems have their strategic value. Galileo is essentially a “navigation” system providing permanent and accurate positioning and timing services worldwide. Copernicus is an “Earth observation” system providing information on the state of the environment and can be used security purposes.
The budget of 12 billion euros has set for the deployment and operation of these two programs for the next seven years for the development of the European space technologies.
