GALILEO is the European satellite radio navigation programme. It was launched at the initiative of the European Commission and developed jointly with the European Space Agency (ESA). It will give rise to a technological revolution comparable to that produced by mobile telephones.

It will also lead to the development of a new generation of universal services in sectors such as transport, telecommunications, agriculture or fisheries. So far, only the American GPS system and the Russian GLONASS system have harnessed this technology, which promises to be highly profitable. Both those systems are financed and controlled by the military authorities.

The GALILEO programme, however, will be administered and controlled by civilians and offers a guarantee of quality and continuity which is essential for many sensitive applications. Thanks to the interoperability of GALILEO with the current systems, navigation and positioning services will become more reliable and accessible throughout the world.