Galileo's importance reiterated by Loyola de Palacio
The coming weeks will see an interim system put in place to coordinate all the necessary elements to get the Galileo space project up and running, European transport Commissioner Loyola de Palacio said on 26 January following a meeting with the Director General of the European space agency (ESA), Antonio Rodatá The move will involve close collaboration between ESA, Member States and the Commission. 'Now we need to move quickly onto the development phase,' said Ms de Palacio. Galileo will fill the void of a global positioning system initiated in Europe. The USA already has GPS and the Russian system Glonass is also operational. Both are derived from military research and are available only due to the consent of the respective military authorities - which could be withdrawn. Galileo will differ in that it will be run by civilians. The system could revolutionise the lives of ordinary citizens, Ms de Palacio said. Development of the system is due to continue until 2005 and be operational after 2007.