Galileo is born OK?

The European Space programme made a giant step forward last Thursday when a Soyuz rocket lifted a 600 kg satellite, Giove-A, into orbit, the first in a series of 30 satellites that will be orbiting into space by 2010 as part of Europe's Galileo...

The European Space programme made a giant step forward last Thursday when a Soyuz rocket lifted a 600 kg satellite, Giove-A, into orbit, the first in a series of 30 satellites that will be orbiting into space by 2010 as part of Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system.

The satellite navigation system rivals the USA's GSM system with significant improvements. Giove-A will test a number of instruments needed for the system, including two atomic clocks, which are crucially important to any satellite navigation system.

The Soyuz rocket blasted off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, at around 6.19 a.m. (Malta time). The Giove-A was built by the small UK company, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), employing just around 200 people. It specialises in space technology.

Galileo is a joint venture between the EU and the European Space Agency. It is the biggest project ever undertaken by Europe.

The Giove-A's first major test will be to send a signal back to earth by June 2006.

Once fully operational, the system will provide precise navigational information and time. Its increased precision means that a host of new services will be offered in Europe, providing additional jobs.

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