Satellites and Probes

Galileo Satellite Positioning System

Galileo satellite positioning system forms a network of thirty satellites. Picture: ESA - J.Huart
Galileo elevates positioning data services to a higher level

Galileo is a satellite positioning system owned by the European Commission and ESA. The system is composed of 30 satellites and intended for civil use. It offers highly accurate positioning and timing services enabled by the latest technology, with exceptional availability and reliability.

Galileo's positioning services are meant to cover the entire Earth more accurately than is possible today. So far, positioning services intended for civil use have been offered only by the American GPS satellite system that is primarily used by the military. Galileo is compatible both with GPS and the third global satellite positioning system, GLONASS.

Galileo includes 27 satellites in actual use and three backup satellites. They revolve around the Earth on an orbit that enables them to receive signals from the satellite, regardless of high buildings or hills, as efficiently as the GPS system.

The Galileo system will offer five kinds of services:

  • The 'Open Service' is free of charge and could be used by anyone in applications such as car navigators. It would not be protected against interruptions or interference.
  • The 'Commercial Service' is a higher quality, protected service subject to fees.
  • The 'Safety of Life Service' is also protected and is suitable for aviation and maritime uses, where it is critical to protect human life. This service will provide warnings if the satellite's positioning data is unreliable for some reason.
  • The 'Public Regulated Service' is intended for the use of authorities only, such as the police or security services. Its use is regulated and subject to license. The 'Public Regulated Service' is protected sufficiently to ensure that it functions even in areas suffering from catastrophes.
  • The 'Search and Rescue' system is Europe's input into international humanitarian search and rescue cooperation, COSPAS-SARSAT.

Coming up:
Conference: Satellite Navigation Regulated Systems, 12th September, Brussels

For more information visit ESA's Galileo page.