First Galileo satellites to be launched by end of 2005[fr][de] 

EU transport ministers meeting in Brussels have agreed to start the deployment and operational phases of the Galileo system of navigation satellites. The system is expected to rival the US-made GPS (Global Positioning System).

The first satellites are expected to be launched at the end of 2005 with a view to begin commercial operation "as from 2008", the Council said in a statement on 10 December. 

Deployment is due to take place between 2006 and 2008 and is expected to cost 2.1 billion euros. A third of the sum will be from public funds, with the rest coming from private operators as previously agreed. After that comes the operation and exploitation phase whose costs are estimated at 220 million euros a year.

"We are now in the home straight: next year will see the launch of the first satellites," said Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot. "Galileo will be as much of a technological revolution as mobile telephony," he added.

The final costs of the programme will be under close scrutiny from EU countries who "shall not be obliged to contribute through additional national funds".

After a first contribution of 500 million euros from public funds, costs are expected to be entirely covered by the private sector.