Canada To Participate In Europe’s Galileo Satellite Navigation Program
By Staff Writer | October 8, 2003
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed an agreement that enables Canada to participate in the development and validation phase of Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation program, a competing systems to the U.S. GPS program. The CSA’s C$11 million (US$8.3 million) contribution to this phase of Galileo allows Canadian companies to respond to requests for proposals and to take an active part in the program. When fully deployed in 2008, Galileo would employ up to 30 satellites in medium-Earth orbit and be supported by a worldwide network of ground stations. The development and validation phase will take place from 2003 to 2006.