European Union launches own GPS
The E.U. has launched the first of 29 satellites making up the Galileo GPS grid, according to Autoblog.
The Galileo program is the Continent’s foray into establishing an independent system from the United States, which currently controls the world’s GPS system through its military. The first satellite, GIOVE A, will, if everything goes according to plan, be eventually joined by twenty nine more by the year 2010.
Unlike the American system, the Galileo system is planned to be under civilian control.
Click the above link to read the full entry, and then go here to join in on the jingoistic discussion thread.
In this blogger’s opinion, it’s a free planet, and the EU can launch a GPS system if they bloody well feel like it. It’s no secret that the EU wants to compete (in a peaceful, mostly economic way) with the United States, and to them, not relying on the U.S. military for their GPS is an important part of that.
Interesting note, the satellites will be under “civilian control,” meaning non-military, non-government. Translation: Corporate control. Take that for what you will.
