Navigation satellites
It is essential to know exactly where you are for modern transport on land, by sea and by air. Space technology has made it possible to pinpoint locations precisely at all points of the earth. Satellite navigation is becoming increasingly indispensable for business, in particular logistics, supply companies, and the police and rescue services. It is also becoming more and more important for private use.
In satellite navigation, also known as GNSS – Global Navigation Satellite System – the satellite sends radio homing signals. The measurement of time plays a key role in this process, because the location can be determined by the time taken for the signals from the satellite to reach the receiver. At least three satellites are required for this purpose. The receiver can determine the longitude and latitude of its position. A fourth signal detector even permits altitudes to be determined.
The American NAVSTAR-GPS and the Russian GLONASS systems are currently in operation. Since the two systems are entirely controlled by political authorities, the Europeans decided to set up a dedicated civil navigation system via satellite.
Galileo is the first project to be carried out jointly by the EU and ESA which is also financed equally by the two organizations. The following states outside the EU are also involved in the project:
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China
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India
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Israel
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Ukraine
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Morocco
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Switzerland
