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Galileo taking shape
Galileo components / Astrium UK
Council of Transports, Brussels
10 december 2004 These components are parts of one of the first Galileo satellites, which will be launched by the end of the year.
Galileo, the joint satellite navigation programme of the European Space Agency and the European Union, is now clearly taking shape, supported by advances at both industrial and political levels.
For example, the last European Council of Transport gave the green light for the full deployment of this first civil global navigation system .
Press conference Jacques Barrot
Vice President - European Commission
Graphics Galileo constellation
Galileo will consist of a constellation of 30 satellites orbiting about 24,000 kilometres above the earth and providing a true network of coverage.
But before this full deployment a test bed phase is necessary, involving the launch of an experimental satellite whose purpose is to test critical technologies and also to secure the frequencies agreed