It seems that European governments have at last sorted out their differences and have finally agreed full funding for completion of the European Galileo Global Positioning System (GPS).
Despite reservations by some UK MP’s, the UK is one of manufactures of key components of the system and will benefit from the increased funding.
The Galileo system when complete, will deliver total independence from the current US controlled GPS satellites that we have all come to love (or hate) in our many GPS enabled products.
That does of course raise some questions about compatibility of receiving devices, lets hope that we’re not in for another Betamax vs VHS like battle of the GPS’s!
Of course the US is not too happy that another system is being launched; always a champion of ‘free’ trade, it seems that this time the US does not like the idea that there will now be a rival to their original GPS system that they cannot control. Incidentally both Russia and China are developing their own GPS versions, so the US has a few other areas to worry about as well.
Where did GPS come from? It was a British invention of course.
Decca Navigator – A British WWII invention that went on to be used for over 50 years till the advent of GPS. Many a Fishermen and North Sea oil rig workers to name just two have benefited greatly from Decca Navigator over the years. Installed in a number of places around the world, it was switched off in mid 2000.
Loran – a US development of the British invented GEE system, this worked on a lower frequency band allow for longer distance to be covered.
However, again with the advent of GPS, this system has also fallen into low usage.
Beasley's Place 