Artist's impression of GIOVE-A in orbit

EU release 3.4 billion Euros for Galileo

The EU has released the funds for the Galileo Global Positioning System.

A BBC News report says:
EU transport ministers have approved the so-called Galileo Implementation Regulation. This is the legal instrument that releases the 3.4bn euros agreed by finance ministers in 2007 to fund construction of the space-based system.

It means contracts can soon be awarded to establish ground stations, to build spacecraft, and provide launchers.

"Today, we sent a clear signal to Europe and the whole world that we are still firmly committed to provide all European citizens and enterprises with a high-quality satellite-navigation service by 2013," said Radovan Zerjav, the Slovenian transport minister and president of the Transport Council of the EU

Developed by ESA in collaboration with the European Union and co-funded by the two organisations on a 50-50 basis, Galileo is a complete civil system, designed to be operational from 2008 and to provide the world in general and Europeans in particular with an accurate, secure and certified satellite positioning system

The 3.4bn euros (£2.7bn; $5.3bn) for the period 2007-2013 covers not only the funds required to implement Galileo but also Egnos, an "overlay" system of control and correction that improves the current GPS service received in Europe.

The next demonstrator satellite for Galileo, known as Giove-B, is scheduled to launch from Kazakhstan at the end of the month.

Read the full BBC story at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7335833.stm