EU Galileo satnav project gets final greenlight

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

STRASBOURG (AFP) — Europe's long-delayed Galileo satellite navigation system passed its final legal hurdle on Wednesday after the European Parliament gave the flag-ship project its green light.

In an almost unanimous vote, members of the European Parliament agreed the legal basis for the system, which has been plagued in the past by technical problems and infighting among EU nations, at a plenary session in Strasbourg.

Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said the EU's executive arm and the European Space Agency would launch the public tender process "by the summer" in the hope that first contracts could be signed before the end of 2008.

The 3.4-billion euro (5.4-billion dollar) budget will be divided into six segments with contracts for satellites,...