Galileo

By 2010, Galileo will provide Europe with an independent satellite navigation and positioning system, which will be compatible with the US Global Positioning System (GPS). Accordingly, Europe will be able to guarantee its independence in strategic areas with a view to its industrial future and technological autonomy. This project, which is currently in the development phase (the first test satellite is being launched in late December), also involves considerable economic challenges. Its applications will result in the creation of many jobs.

Galileo is also an instrument of international cooperation for Europe: worldwide, many countries have shown their interest in this project and cooperation agreements have already been signed with several countries, including China, India, Israel, Russia and Ukraine.

From the start, France has defended an ambitious idea in terms of this project, which is symbolic for Europe, ensuring that it has the entire range of technically accessible services and that it has a secured service reserved for government agencies (Public Regulated Service, referred to as PRS). France is paying close attention to security issues surrounding the system, which is why it wants to host the future security centre in addition to the headquarters of the concessionaire.

France has worked steadily and with determination in developing this major project, from a national and EU standpoint, i.e. within the European Space Agency (ESA). Accordingly, France has supported the measures proposed by the ESA to get around the deadlock observed during the discussions on financing the additional costs of the development phase of Galileo: it was able to make the decisions necessary for continuing the programme, thereby avoiding any further delays and other additional costs.

On 5 December 2005, the manufacturer-members of the consortium bidding for the concession contract reached a global agreement on the sites of the Galileo system. This agreement, which calls for the headquarters of the concessionaire to be in Toulouse, is a success for France. Establishing one of the main elements of the Galileo system in Toulouse will confirm the place held by Europe’s leading space centre in this industry and is expected to promote the development of applications creating highly skilled jobs.

This agreement will enable progress to be made in implementing the programme and, in particular, in beginning concession contract negotiations between the manufacturers, who handed in a contract proposal in October, and the Galileo Joint Undertaking.

This success is due in no small part to the personal commitment of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Philippe Douste-Blazy. It is also the result of the strong and unwavering commitment of the members of government and local players promoting the Galileo programme, its strategic autonomy and its ability to master the technologies essential for ensuring its independence.

Updated on 07/12/05

More information

  Reaction of M. Jacques Chirac following the successuful launch of the European Galileo navigation system’s first satellite (Paris, 28 December 2005)

"This system, when operational in 2010, will provide essential services for our fellow citizens and our companies.

This new success in the European space sector comes in the wake of last week’s successful fifth Ariane launch this year from French Guiana’s Kourou Space Centre."

  Location of Galileo in Toulouse - Reply given by M. D. Perben to a question in a National Assembly (Paris, 6 December 2005)

"We reached an agreement under which the concession holder’s headquarters will indeed be in France, in Toulouse. This will not only be an administrative and financial headquarters, but also an industrial centre and will have responsibilities in the security field, which was also one of the important factors for the French delegation."