Satellite Today has learned that European Union (EU) transport ministers have approved the building and deployment of the Galileo satellite navigation system. The satellite navigation system, which will operate in tandem with the U.S. GPS satellite navigation system, is scheduled to begin operations in 2008.

According to an article posted today on EUbusiness.com, the decision made was to build and launch satellites and build ground-receiving stations following a three-year design and development phase. The associated cost is estimated to be $1.45 billion, the article reported. No mention was made as to when the contract for operation of the satellite system would be awarded.