In-Orbit Validation Contract: a Further Step Forward for Galileo
(Source: European Space Agency; issued Dec. 22, 2004)
The Galileo project is now well and truly taking shape, with today's signing of a second contract concerning the In-Orbit Validation (IOV) phase, following that signed in July 2003 for two test satellites.
The European Space Agency and Galileo Industries have signed a EUR 150 million contract, as a first stage towards signing an approximately EUR 950 million contract covering the overall IOV phase.
"This marks a further step forward for Galileo", says Giuseppe Viriglio, Director of EU and Industrial Programmes at the Agency. "In line with the recent EU Transport Council green light for final deployment of the constellation, ESA is securing the foundations for this unique satellite locating and positioning system."
For Günter Stamerjohanns, chief executive officer of Galileo Industries: "This contract marks a key step towards completing this major European technology project. Galileo Industries is proud to be playing a leading part in meeting this enormous challenge."
The contract provides the basis and the technical activities necessary for in-orbit validation of the Galileo system. It gives preliminary authorisation to proceed with the whole of this work, over a six-month period. This work notably concerns the management of the programme and the choice of engineering systems and technical support required to maintain the overall credibility of the scheduling and ensure system coherence.
In-orbit validation involves the delivery of the first four satellites in the Galileo constellation of 30, along with a number of ground stations. Subsequently, the programme will enter its deployment phase, which will cover the entire network of ground infrastructure and the launch of the remaining 26 satellites which will complete the constellation.
At present, the test phase has started, with the launch of a first test satellite onboard a Soyuz launcher expected by end-2005. To ensure that this phase is a success, two satellites are being built in parallel by European industry.
Galileo is a joint initiative of the European Space Agency and the European Union. It will be the first-ever global satellite-navigation system designed for civilian needs that delivers guaranteed continuity of services, unlike the American GPS. The two systems will nevertheless be compatible and interoperable. (ends)
EADS Astrium Awarded Contract to Commence the Build of the First Four Galileo Satellites
(Source: EADS; issued Dec. 21, 2004)
MUNICH, Germany --- The European satellite navigation project Galileo is beginning to take shape. On Tuesday, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Galileo Industries signed a preliminary contract in Paris for the In-Orbit-Verfication-Phase (IOV).
With a 38 percent stake, EADS Astrium is the largest shareholder in Galileo Industries and will take on important work packages as the major subcontractor in this initial phase.
"After extensive discussions, this authorisation to proceed enables us, at last, to get started on building the Galileo satellites," says Evert Dudok, Director of Earth Observation, Navigation and Science at EADS Astrium. “By the end of the decade, a global independent satellite navigation system, under civil control, will be available to all.” Dudok estimates the value of the subcontracts that will be awarded to EADS Astrium, as part of this first agreement between ESA and Galileo Industries, to be of the order of 75 million euros. The preliminary contract covers the first work packages for the IOV-Phase, which comprises the construction and launch of the first four Galileo satellites and the in-orbit testing of this initial part of the overall system.
Contracts between ESA and the space industry on the entire IOV phase should be finalised by the middle of next year. The total contract value for this phase, amounting to about 950 million euros, will cover the first four Galileo satellites, due for launch in 2008, and the development and operation of the associated ground infrastructure. A further 26 satellites will follow to make up the 30 required in the Galileo constellation. It is expected that Galileo will be fully operational by the end of the decade.
As the largest shareholder in Galileo Industries, EADS Astrium, based in Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Spain, will play a significant role in the construction phase of these Galileo satellites. The contract to build the satellites will be managed by EADS Astrium in Ottobrunn near Munich and, in addition, EADS Astrium Germany will be responsible for systems engineering and parts of the ground segment. Responsibility for the navigation payload as well as the management and system engineering of the ground control segment which monitors and controls the satellites, will be in Portsmouth, UK. The Toulouse site in France will contribute to the ground mission segment, which will monitor the signal quality of the satellites. EADS Astrium Spain is also participating in the Galileo programme and technical experts from all countries are already being assigned to Galileo Industries by EADS Astrium.
Galileo will stimulate a step change in the role of satellite technology in the daily lives of both the public and business, from satellite positioning chips in mobile phones, to a vast array of public services including transport management and personal mobility applications. In complimenting GPS, it will give increased accuracy and integrity, particularly in built-up areas and it will guarantee a role for European industry in the rapidly expanding satellite navigation market.
EADS Astrium is Europe’s leading satellite system specialist. Its activities cover complete civil and military telecommunications and Earth observation systems, science and navigation programmes, and all spacecraft avionics and equipment. EADS Astrium, wholly owned subsidiary of EADS SPACE, which is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In 2003 EADS SPACE had a turnover of EUR 2.4 billion and 12,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2003, EADS generated revenues of EUR 30.1 billion and employed a workforce of more than 100,000.
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