Galileo satellite phones home

The Galileo project will eventually provide a more accurate service than GPS

The test satellite for the Galileo project has started transmitting, confirming the spectrum that will be used for the alternative to the US-controlled GPS location system.

Scientists at Surrey Satellite Technology, a spin off from the University of Surrey, have received preliminary signals from the Giove-A satellite, which was launched on 28 December.

The confirmation of contact means that the system will now almost certainly be allocated the spectrum it needs to operate by the International Telecommunications Union.

Had the satellite failed the entire project would have faced cancellation as the spectrum would have been allocated elsewhere.

"These milestone transmissions from Giove-A mark Europe's independent entry into global positioning, navigation and timing services," said Surrey Satellite Technology in a statement.

The 660 kg satellite was built for the European Space Agency in just 30 months and cost €28m. The Galileo project, which is co-funded by the Chinese government, will eventually provide a more accurate service than GPS.