Technical
Galileo
The European Union's global navigation satellite system providing precise positioning services independent of GPS.
Galileo is the EU's flagship space infrastructure project, providing global navigation satellite services under civilian control.
System Overview
- 30 satellites planned (24 operational + 6 spares)
- MEO constellation (~23,222 km altitude)
- Three orbital planes at 56° inclination
- Global coverage
Services
- Open Service: Free, ~1m accuracy
- High Accuracy Service: Sub-meter precision
- Public Regulated Service: Encrypted, for government use
- Search and Rescue: Distress signal relay
Governance
- EUSPA: Operations and service provision
- ESA: Development and procurement
- European Commission: Political oversight
Key Features
- Civilian control (unlike GPS/GLONASS)
- Interoperable with GPS
- Authentication services
- Higher accuracy than competitors
EU Space Act proposal (COM(2025) 335, not in force) Galileo is a component of the Union Space Programme, so its assets are Union-owned assets (Art. 5(20)). The entity operating them would be authorised by the Commission on the basis of a technical assessment by the Agency (Art. 11) and would report significant incidents affecting them under Art. 93(1).