GSA Signs Galileo Service Operator Contract

Following a complex tendering process that began in January 2015, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) awarded the Galileo Service Operator (GSOp) contract, with a value of up to €1.5bn, to Spaceopal at a special event in Brussels on the 15 December 2016. Spaceopal is a joint venture between Telespazio and the German Space Agency (DLR).

On the same day it was announced that Europe’s own Galileo satellite navigation system had begun operating, with the satellites in space delivering positioning, navigation and timing information to users around the globe. The European Commission, owner of the system, formally announced the start of Galileo Initial Services, the first step towards full operational capability.

• Primary Source

ESO: Key Source: European GNSS Agency (GSA) http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-gnss-agency-gsa/

European GNSS Agency (GSA): Galileo: Services: Galileo Initial Services https://www.gsa.europa.eu/galileo/services/initial-services

BBC News, 15.12.16: EU's Galileo satellite system goes live after 17 years http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38329341

Blog: GalileoGNSS, 15.12.16: Galileo initial services available #GalileoGoesLive #MyGalileo http://galileognss.eu/galileo-initial-services-available-galileogoeslive-mygalileo/

Website: GalileoGNSS.eu http://galileognss.eu/

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