UK helps to bring sat-nav to the masses
/v3-uk/news/2001225/uk-helps-bring-sat-nav-masses
19 Dec 2005, Robert Jaques , V3
UK researchers have claimed a key milestone in the development of a next-generation satellite navigation system.
Galileo test satellite Giove-A, built in Guildford by Surrey Satellite Technology, is a key part of a project that aims to bring benefits to drivers, pilots and sailors as well as sectors that have not used satellite navigation before, such as air traffic control, the emergency services and rail networks.
The satellite could also be accessed by mobile phone users to find out local information such as local cinema listings or directions to the nearest restaurant.
Giove-A is due to be launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan by the end of December 2005. It will broadcast the very first Galileo signals from space and together with Giove-B, a second test satellite developed by Galileo Industries which includes UK-based firm EADS Astrium, will trial new technology.
Science Minister Lord Sainsbury said: "Galileo offers an opportunity to increase the information services provided by satellites and make a real difference to people's lives.
"I am very proud that UK engineers and their world-class satellite technology are playing a leading role in this ambitious European programme."
Galileo is a joint European Space Agency/European Union Trans-European Networks programme. Due to be operational in 2010, the civil system will comprise 30 satellites and is designed to complement the existing US GPS and to provide additional value-added and safety-critical services.
The UK government is one of four major contributors to Galileo, along with Germany, France and Italy. To date the British National Space Centre and the Department for Transport have invested over €136m in the project.
The 660kg Giove-A satellite is the first to use Surrey Satellite Technology's Geostationary Minisatellite Platform, designed to carry a wide range of communication and navigation payloads. The satellite was designed, built and tested in 27 months.
Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, chief executive at Surrey Satellite Technology, said that this is the first time the company has developed a complete satellite for the European Space Agency. "Giove-A is our largest and most complex satellite to date," he explained.
A 25-metre antenna at Chilbolton Observatory in Hampshire will detect Giove-A's signals. The observatory is an outpost of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
Do you agree?
Europes Dependancy On USA
Basically the new European sats are to be deployed because the Americans can at will shut off their own GPS sats at will thus depriving the rest of the world of GPS navigation.
The USA already use their GPS sats for military purposes on an encrypted system so by disabling it, in future times off war e.g. Iraq, they can cut off the worlds GPS navigation systems at any time.
The GPS we all know and love and use daily is seperate to that military system so Europe would be at the mercy to the USA if they wish to cut off GPS navigation and that is not a situation Europe should really consider.
Plus the Europe sats will be far more accurate than the USA system which in a life saving situation would prove far more valuable.
Europe want their own GPS because then they will be free of another American dependant resource (Which in MHO is a good thing) plus, they can, as was mentioned, use it to track cars etc for collecting more tax from us in the future, say no more on that really as we all know Big Brother is really out there now!
Posted by Ady J, 21 Dec 2005
More surveillance
You might recall 'talk' of satellite tracking of motor vehicles for tax purposes well it looks like this is another step in that direction. Big brother rules! Why do we need more gps sata. when there is already a solution in place, its about time we took more notice of this network of cameras and satellites and what their real purpose is.
Posted by Dave, 20 Dec 2005
big brother
big brother is here and now.things are only going to get worse it is even now to late for the british people to wake up
Posted by george, 03 May 2006