[Satellite TODAY 01-30-12] The Czech government has entered into an agreement with the European Union (EU) to host the headquarters of Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system in Prague, EU officials confirmed Jan. 27.

   The deal was signed by Czech Transport Minister Pavel Dobes and European GNSS Agency Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. The 30-satellite Galileo network system is expected to launch operations in 2014.

   In a statement issued with the signing, EU officials touted Galileo as more precise and more reliable than the United States’ GPS system, while being controlled by civil authorities.