galileo

Galileo on its way




Credits: ESA- J.Huart

The second Galileo satellite will be launched from Kazakhstan this week-end.

Galileo is a Global Navigation Satellite System like GPS and GLONASS. All together these systems will improve our geodetic reference system substantially.

Galileo's new technology will revolutionize our transport systems, increasing safety and improving efficiency; this will make for better quality of life and less pollution in our cities. Galileo will also bring benefits in other aspects of everyday life, with precision farming raising yields, improved information for emergency services speeding up response times, and more reliable and accurate time signals underpinning our most vital computer and communications networks.

THE FIVE GALILEO SERVICES

OPEN ACCESS NAVIGATION
This will be 'free to air' and for use by the mass market; Simple timing and positioning down to 1m

COMMERCIAL NAVIGATION
Encrypted; High accuracy at the cm scale; Guaranteed service for which service providers will charge fees

SAFETY OF LIFE NAVIGATION
Open service; For applications where guaranteed accuracy is essential; Integrity messages will warn of errors

PUBLIC REGULATED NAVIGATION
Encrypted; Continuous availability even in time of crisis; Government agencies will be main users

SEARCH AND RESCUE
System will pick up distress beacon locations; Feasible to send feedback, confirming help is on its way



Credit: ESA - S. Corvaja 2008

The Soyuz-Fregat launch vehicle carrying GIOVE-B, the second of ESA's two Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element demonstrators for the Galileo global navigation satellite system, is erected on the pad of the launch complex at the Baikonour spaceport, Kazakhstan.