First contracts for Galileo satellites signed
The first contracts to build test satellites for the Galileo programme were signed at the European Space Agency's (ESA) research and technology centre on 11 July. The experimental satellites will act as forerunners of the 30 orbiters that will eventually be built for Europe's civilian navigation system. One of the two is expected to be launched in 2005 in order to secure the frequencies reserved for the Galileo system before the International Telecommunications Union deadline of June 2006. That contract, worth 27.9 million euro, went to Surrey Space Technology Ltd in the UK. The second contract involves the construction of test satellite much closer to the final design, which will be used to validate all the technologies to be used as part of the programme. The successful bid, worth 72.3 million euro, came from Galileo Industries, a consortium of French, Italian, German, Spanish and UK partners. 'Galileo is taking shape with every passing day. These first contracts are symbolic of Europe's collective resolve to develop the first civil global satellite navigation system,' said Claudio Mastracci, ESA Director of application programmes. René Oosterlinck, Head of the ESA navigation department, added: 'This is a real challenge we have set ourselves, alongside our European industrial partners, and the schedule is very tight, but we have done everything to improve the odds in our favour.'
Countries
Germany, Spain, France, Italy, United Kingdom