A rocket with 4 Galileo satellites onboard removes from the launchpad in the European Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, inJuly The UK is checking out alternative to the EU program.
-/ AFP/GettyImages
The UK federal government is investing ₤92 million ($119 million) in an “independent satellite system” as an option to the European Union’s Galileo.
It’s part of an 18- month expediency research study that’ll take a look at the style and advancement of UK program to keep security if it can’t have equivalent access to Galileo after Brexit, and is being led by the UK Space Agency with Ministry of Defense support.
The federal government wishes to stay involved in the Galileo program, just on an equivalent basis so that it can depend on details for military functions like rocket assistance.
“Britain is a world leader in the space industry and satellites. We are investing in an alternative option to Galileo to ensure our future security needs are met using the UK’s world-leading space sector,” stated Business Secretary Greg Clark.
“Our position on Galileo has been consistent and clear. We have repeatedly highlighted the specialist expertise we bring to the project and the risks in time delays and cost increases that the European Commission is taking by excluding UK industry.”
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The Galileo program launched its first satellite in 2011, so that the EU wouldn’t have to rely on the US Global Positioning System (GPS) for commercial, military and other applications such as guiding aircraft, Reuters notes.
The UK has invested £1.3 billion ($1.7 billion) in Galileo since the project began in 2003, according to the Financial Times, and the UK Space Agency was set up in 2010 in part to coordinate its involvement with the program.
The agency didn’t immediately respond to a request for additional comment.
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