euesa1-8, Exercise 1: Why Galileo

Model answer:

GPS is built and run by the US military, so relying on it means relying on another country's decisions. Europe built Galileo for the same kind of reason it built Ariane: independence. Galileo is under civilian control and designed to be available whatever the political situation.

Galileo is an EU programme, owned and funded by the European Union and managed by an EU agency. ESA's role is to design and develop the system and procure the satellites.

Check the current arrangements on the EU space programme pages.