Galileo a step closer to orbit

The path for the EU’s satellite navigation system to become operational by 2013 has been cleared after member states agreed implementation rules outlining a timetable and industrial tendering plan as well as a clear division of roles and responsibilities between the three EU institutions.

The EU-27 transport ministers agreed, on 7 April 2008, on a general approach for the Galileo Implementation Regulation, which sets out the legal basis for the implementation of the budget (€3.4 billion) for the period 2007-2013 and a new management structure for the project. 

Slovenian Transport Minister Radovan Žerjav said the agreement presents “a clear signal to Europe and the whole world that we are still firmly committed to providing all European citizens and enterprises with a high-quality satellite-navigation service by 2013”.

According to the compromise, the Galileo programme development and deployment phase comprising the construction and launch of the first satellites and the establishment of the first ground-based infrastructure is to begin in 2008 and end in 2013. The exploitation phase – management, maintenance, standardisation and marketing of the system – should begin at the latest in 2013 when the system is expected to become operational. 

The deployment phase will be financed entirely by Community funds, though according to the agreement, it will be possible to form public-private partnerships or other forms of contract with the private sector after 2013. 

The procurement and industrial tendering of the infrastructure will be split into six main work packages: system engineering support, ground mission infrastructure completion, ground control infrastructure completion, satellites, launchers and operations. A number of additional work packages is also foreseen. 

On the governance side, the ‘Galileo Interinstitutional Panel’ (GIP), consisting of representatives of the Council, Parliament and the Commission, will decide on the annual work programme. It will also follow the implementation of contract agreements and ensure the overall governance and political control of the project. 

The Commission will act as the manager of the programmes, while the Galileo Surveillance Authority (GSA), set up as a Community agency, will ensure the security accreditation of the system. GSA will also ensure the operation of the Galileo security centre and contribute to the preparation of the commercialisation of the system. 

As for future revenue generated by the system’s commercial services, the draft Regulation stresses that this “must be collected by the European Community in order to ensure that its earlier investments are recovered”. “However, a revenue-sharing mechanism could be stipulated in any contract concluded with the private sector,” it states. 

The text backed by ministers has already received tentative approval from Parliament representatives in informal trilogue negotiation rounds, which also involved the Commission and the Council. It was approved in a vote in Parliament’s Industry Committee today (8 April). Parliament’s plenary vote is expected to take place by end of April to ensure the timely kick-off of the long delayed EU flagship project.

Read more with Euractiv

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