Galileo

[Drowned Rat]

What do you guys know about this new Galileo satelite navagation system the EU is putting into space? I heard about it on NPR this morning, but I'm not sure how it's going to interface with the current GPS. They say it's accurate to 3 feet without any additional corrective measures like WAAS. Will our current GPS units be able to use the technology or is this the next "step" that'll require a new piece of hardware? Not that I need anything better than a GPS, just wondering why they're doing it. GPS is free for them too.<br /><br />edit. I guess I should have posted this in the electronics forum. Sorry JB.

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Galileo

It is so that they can have control and are not totally reliant upon us just in case of future conflicting differences.

 

[stevens]

Re: Galileo

http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/Galileo_tour/galileo.html <br /><br />The local papers say: Operational from 2010, it is supposed to be compatible with current GPS/GLONASS/WAAS/EGNOS equipment, and with the next generation receivers small enough to fit inside cell phones, etc.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Galileo

yep... double edged sword too-our government is looking at using the technology to implement statutory blanket road tolls on top of our already crippling fuel tax. If I could shoot the damn things down I would.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Galileo

Nos, you mean by putting position transponders on every vehicle? How else could they do it? People probably wouldn't put up with that. <br /><br />Also, I read somewhere that the "basic" service will be free, but a more complete service will have a fee. No idea what's included in each or how they would regulate it.

 

[Twidget]

Re: Galileo

You can thank the Germans for that Nos4r2. <br /><br />I heard a couple of years ago how they had instituted a tax on truckers using the Autobahn. To get around it, the truckers started using secondary roads, causing all types of headaches.