EU transport ministers approve Galileo deal
Posted: Sat, Dec 1, 2007, 6:44 AM ET (1144 GMT)
European transport ministers gave the final approval on Friday for a new plan for financing the Galileo satellite navigation system, after overcoming a last-minute objection from Spain. The ministers approved the plan Friday after EU budget ministers reached an agreement a week earlier to allow the use of surplus agricultural subsidies to fund most of the project, a move necessitated after an earlier proposal to have a public-private partnership fund the system fell through. Late Thursday Spain objected to the plan because that country would not get a Galileo ground station; only two were planned, in Germany in Italy. Spain reversed its opposition to the plan on Friday when the EU agreed to allow Spin to upgrade a planned "safety of life" ground center to a full-fledged satellite control center. Galileo is a satellite navigation system designed to prevent the EU from being reliant on the similar American GPS system. Once planned to begin service in 2008, Galileo is now scheduled to be operational by 2013.
European transport ministers gave the final approval on Friday for a new plan for financing the Galileo satellite navigation system, after overcoming a last-minute objection from Spain. The ministers approved the plan Friday after EU budget ministers reached an agreement a week earlier to allow the use of surplus agricultural subsidies to fund most of the project, a move necessitated after an earlier proposal to have a public-private partnership fund the system fell through. Late Thursday Spain objected to the plan because that country would not get a Galileo ground station; only two were planned, in Germany in Italy. Spain reversed its opposition to the plan on Friday when the EU agreed to allow Spin to upgrade a planned "safety of life" ground center to a full-fledged satellite control center. Galileo is a satellite navigation system designed to prevent the EU from being reliant on the similar American GPS system. Once planned to begin service in 2008, Galileo is now scheduled to be operational by 2013.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, May 2
Texas-built Firefly rocket fails on its sixth flight
San Antonio Express-News — 6:26 am ET (1026 GMT) See inside Cedar Park aerospace company that just landed on the moon
Austin (TX) American-Statesman — 6:25 am ET (1025 GMT) Lohmeier, Nominee for Under SECAF, Defends Record in Confirmation Hearing
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 6:23 am ET (1023 GMT) Senators Voice 'Deep Concerns' About Trump's Pick for Air Force Under Secretary
Military.com — 6:23 am ET (1023 GMT) U.S. Satellite Said To Maneuver Near Chinese Spacecraft
Aviation Week — 6:22 am ET (1022 GMT) |
