Galileo In-Orbit Validation Contract Signed, A Further Step Forward for Galileo

Paris, Dec. 24/Satnews Daily/ ¾ The Galileo project is now well and truly taking shape, with the signing of a second contract earlier this week concerning the In-Orbit Validation (IOV) phase, following that signed in July 2003 for two test satellites.
 
The European Space Agency and Galileo Industries have signed $202.47 million (€150 m) contract, as a first stage towards signing an approximately $1.282 billion (€950 m) contract covering the overall IOV phase.

"This marks a further step forward for Galileo", says Giuseppe Viriglio, Director of EU and Industrial Programmes at the Agency. "In line with the recent EU Transport Council green light for final deployment of the constellation, ESA is securing the foundations for this unique satellite locating and positioning system."

For Günter Stamerjohanns, chief executive officer of Galileo Industries, the contract marks a key step towards completing this major European technology project. “Galileo Industries is proud to be playing a leading part in meeting this enormous challenge," he said.

The contract provides the basis and the technical activities necessary for in-orbit validation of the Galileo system. It gives preliminary authorization to proceed with the whole of this work, over a six-month period. This work notably concerns the management of the program and the choice of engineering systems and technical support required to maintain the overall credibility of the scheduling and ensure system coherence.  

In-orbit validation involves the delivery of the first four satellites in the Galileo constellation of 30, along with a number of ground stations. Subsequently, the program will enter its deployment phase, which will cover the entire network of ground infrastructure and the launch of the remaining 26 satellites which will complete the constellation.

At present, the test phase has started, with the launch of a first test satellite onboard a Soyuz launcher expected by end-2005. To ensure that this phase is a success, two satellites are being built in parallel by European industry.

Galileo is a joint initiative of the European Space Agency and the European Union. It will be the first-ever global satellite-navigation system designed for civilian needs that delivers guaranteed continuity of services, unlike the American GPS. The two systems will nevertheless be compatible and interoperable.

Recent Stories:

Alenia Spazio Signs COSMO-Skymed Contract; Galileo Receives Go-ahead

NovAtel Inc. Awarded Contract for Galileo Space Technology Development Program

EC Moves for Galileo’s Deployment and Operational Phases

ESA Checks First Galileo Experimental Satellite Model