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| The Giove A positioning satellite of Europe’s Galileo satellite system has been operating very well and transmitted its first signals on January 12th. |
The pioneering satellite in Europe’s Galileo positioning satellite system transmitted its first positioning signals to ground stations located in the UK and Belgium on January 12th.
The Giove-A satellite, developed in the UK, was launched on October 28 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It is the first satellite of the Galileo satellite system to be sent into space, designed to enhance Europe’s competitiveness against the United States’ Global Positioning System (GPS).
Giove-A is currently in orbit approximately 23,000 km above the Earth.
“The first signals from Giove-A signal a new era for positioning technology,” said expert Francis Tuffy.
Just a few hours after the satellite was launched, engineers at the satellite technology center began activating it and ensured it was fully ready for operation.
With the Galileo satellite program, Europe will develop its own positioning satellite system capable of providing effective tools for governments needing road monitoring; further strengthening Europe’s air traffic control system, helping aircraft maintain safe distances and allowing pilots to fly on correct routes and altitudes.
On January 12th, South Korea became the latest non-European country to sign up to support the Galileo satellite program, joining China, Israel, and Ukraine.
T.VY
