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If you thought that Galileo was just a dead 16th century Italian scientist then you'd be half right. Galileo has been chosen as the name for the European equivalent of the Global Positioning System (GPS) which we all know and love.
Actually there will be 30 eyes in the sky, and I'm referring to Galileo which I have mentioned in a few of my blogs before and thought I should now expand a little. If you thought that Galileo was just a dead 16th century Italian scientist then you'd be half right. Galileo has been chosen as the name for the European equivalent of the Global Positioning System (GPS) which we all know and love. I'm speaking as if Galileo is a new project but it's actually been on the cards for quite a few years. The idea that there are 30 satellites but only 28 that are being used because there will be 2 that are 'spare' also appeals to my sense of humour.
The major difference between the two satellite systems is that Galileo is civilian controlled. The American GPS system is managed by the US military and as a result they allow you and me access to that data under strict control. If for any reason there was a military need your access to their satellite system would be shut down instantly. This might cause even greater confusion to the people who find themselves currently driving the wrong way up one way streets or through rivers!!
Galileo will work with GPS as both systems are interoperable and this will result in a guaranteed location position which is likely to be less than a meter in accuracy and free of charge. There are other chargeable options which will bring the accuracy down to a centimetre or less which can be used for aviation and other high precision needs services. In reality Galileo will be used for all sorts of applications some of which are likely to include, road charging, satellite navigation, insurance charging, vehicle diagnostics and advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS).
The expected 'go live' date for Galileo was to be during 2008 but has now slipped to 2012. I have no doubt that Galileo will be a success once it is up and running but I can see the timetable slipping further due to the complexity of the project.
One other thing that I can guarantee is that it will touch all of our lives in some way or another which is kind of scary isn't it .
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