The GPS project should be operational in 2020, the opportunity to examine this European satellite positioning system. Here are five little-known aspects of the program ...
Active since 2016
Few people know this, but Galileo has been in service for several years already. It took office on December 15, 2016, but at the time, it was only partially operational since it only had about fifteen satellites out of the 30 that Galileo will count, once completed.
When the service was launched, its performance was therefore not optimal and its location accuracy could vary enormously. Over the years, its number of satellites has increased, making it ever more precise.
Origin of the name
The satellite positioning system takes its name from the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei, better known as Galileo. Galileo Galilei, a mathematician, surveyor, physicist and astronomer from the 17th century, marked the history of astronomy by developing the first astronomical glasses. The latter, although of doubtful quality, made it possible for the first time to observe the Moon closely.
Accuracy up to one meter
With its 24 satellites currently operational, Galileo aims to be much more precise. Accuracy between 1 and 2 meters thanks to atomic clocks on each satellite, while the accuracy of the GPS is 5 to 10 meters. Galileo devices are newer and therefore more precise.
Note that the advanced precision of Galileo is only available for certain paid services. Thus, when an average user seeks to locate himself on his smartphone, his position will rather be of the order of ten meters. On the other hand, for emergency services or professionals, the accuracy is of the order of a meter, or even a centimeter in ideal conditions. A distinction that is also found on the American GPS.
First common infrastructure produced and funded by the EU
Galileo has a special status since it was born from the initiative of the European Union to become autonomous from the United States and its GPS in terms of location service, but also because it was entirely funded by a public funding. No private company was able to participate in the financing of the Galileo project and structure.
It was in 2008 that the financing budget was voted. At the time, there was talk of "only" 3.4 billion euros in funding. The budget was initially to be funded up to one third by the European Union and two thirds by private companies (Eurely and iNavSat). However, the project encountered many various difficulties, which prompted the European Commission to fully finance the project and open up the operation of the European GPS to private companies.
Of the 750 voters in the European Parliament, 607 votes were in favor of public funding only. With such funding, the European Union is the sole owner of Galileo.
While the project was entirely produced and funded by the European Union, other countries still contributed to the European GPS launch program. Among the investors, we can notably mention China (200 million euros), Norway (68.9 million euros), Switzerland with 34 million euros per year. Other countries have also signed agreements with the EU for the operation of Galileo.
Unexpected use
Contrary to what one might think, Galileo is not only used in everyday devices such as smartphones, connected cars and others. Its use is much more important in certain environments, moreover the localization is much more precise in these cases.
Thus, the European GPS is widely used in the maritime, rail, air, but also for the time, maps, emergency services, as well as for agriculture.
In precision farming, Galileo is used to maximize yields, increase productivity, optimize the use of fertilizers and herbicides, as well as reduce the impact on the environment.
It is also a great help to manage air traffic, because it allows to obtain more precise routes and therefore to avoid accidents while optimizing access to airports. Same observation at sea or on the roads.
But the real plus of Galileo is that it makes it possible to reduce rescue times since it is easier for it to spot someone lost at sea or in the mountains. Its location changes, on average, from 3 hours to just 10 minutes once the distress beacon is activated.
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