Posted: Wed, Mar 2, 2005, 8:57 AM ET (1357 GMT)
The European Union Tuesday delayed a decision on the selection of a private consortium to run its Galileo satellite navigation system, electing instead to enter negotiations with the two remaining finalists. In a press statement, the European Commission said that officials "came to the conclusion that there was very little difference" between the two finalists, iNavSat and Eurely. Instead, government officials will enter parallel negotiations with both ventures that will last up to three months. Eurely is composed primarily of Alcatel, Finmecanica, and Hispasat; iNavSat consists of EADS, Thales, and Inmarsat. Both ventures include participation by other companies, including US firms like Boeing. Galileo will be a satellite navigation system similar to the US GPS system, although oriented primarily for commercial and civil, rather than military, uses. The private operator of Galileo will invest in its development and make money from subscription navigation services Galileo will provide.

Related Links:

•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  AP article
•  International Herald Tribune article
•  Financial Times article
•  European Commission press release