Galileo: Recent developments

Developed as an alternative to the American and Russian military systems, the Galileo programme is an independent European navigation satellite system designed specifically for civilian applications, primarily funded and controlled by the European Union and the European Space Agency. Galileo has potential uses across many sectors though transport applications such as road and rail traffic monitoring, road pricing systems and air traffic control have been considered key areas of benefit. This report examines the costs, funding, and value for money of the programme, including the delays encountered, the UK share of costs, the collapse of the public-private partnership (PPP) negotiations, and the governance and procurement strategy. It also considers the impact of the complexity of the EU decision-making process on the programme's future funding and management.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 23.11.07: Galileo 'compromise' is emerging http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7109971.stm

Deutsche Welle, 23.11.07: Germany Welcomes New EU Proposal on Galileo http://www.dw.de/dw/0,,1429,00.html

European Commission: DG Energy and Transport: Galileo http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/energy_transport/galileo/index_en.htm

United Kingdom: House of Commons: Transport Committee: Ist Report (2007-08)HC53: Galileo: Recent Developments http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmtran/53/53.pdf

BBC News, 12.11.07: MPs urge action on Galileo costs http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7087941.stm

United Kingdom, House of Commons: Science and Technology Committee: 18th Report (2003-04HC 1210 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmtran/1210/1210.pdf

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