GALILEO, satellite radionavigation programme: development phase, joint undertaking

PURPOSE: The establishment of a Joint Undertaking to give legal definition to the European satellite radionavigation system, GALILEO. CONTENT: In 1999 the European Commission presented its first proposals to the Council in which its vision for the development of a European Satellite radionavigation system, to be known as GALILEO, was outlined. In its proposal, the Commission envisioned a four phase development of GALILEO: - definition in 2000; - development by 2005; - deployment by 2007; - operation and exploitation there after. In order to fully complete the development phase (2001-2005), the Commission has prepared a Regulation whereby a single management structure, or Joint Undertaking, for the GALILEO programme will be established. The Statutes adopting the Joint Undertaking are annexed to the proposed Regulation. The legal basis for the Joint Undertaking is Article 171 of the Treaty establishing the European Community. The objectives of the Joint Undertaking are: - to ensure the smooth development of the programme; - the continuation of the research and development efforts; - the bringing together of public and private sector funding; - to prepare the management of the deployment and operational phases of the programme. Funding would come from the European Community, the European Space Agency and private investors.�