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View Full Version : European Galileo GPS satellite system just went live



johngo
12-17-2016, 11:36
More good news for GPS users, the European Galileo satellite system just went on line a few days ago. Most newer GPS units, phones included, can receive the signals of both the US and the Russian (GLONASS) satellite systems. Soon the European system will be added. This offers a greater number of satellites sending signals, which will improve GPS accuracy even more in the coming years.

from wikipedia:
"Galileo started offering Early Operational Capability (EOC) on 15 December 2016[1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_(satellite_navigation)#cite_note-operational-1) and is expected to reach Full Operational Capability (FOC) in 2019.[8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_(satellite_navigation)#cite_note-8) The complete 30-satellite Galileo system (24 operational and 6 active spares) is expected by 2020."

Leo L.
12-17-2016, 12:54
Galileo is supposed to include something like SPOT, and should be even more accurate than GPS is right now.
But as its very new, most information is still theoretical and it will take some time until consumer level equipment will be available at reasonable prices.

johngo
12-17-2016, 13:35
Leo, yes, that is mentioned I think in the Wikipedia article. The emergency services function has some way to send a message back to personal locator beacon is saying "we received your message and help is on the way", or something like that.
But you are indeed correct, we need to sit tight and wait for consumer equipment based on this technology to hit the market. But it will come soon, and it overall is a benefit to all users of GPS, which these days is literally everyone.