EU Launches Satellite in Galileo Project
CorrectionThe accuracy of the U.S. Global Positioning System, or GPS, is no longer limited for security reasons, as reported. The GPS can now pinpoint locations within three feet.
The European Union launched the first satellite in its planned Galileo navigation project Wednesday. European Space Agency officials say Galileo will let people pinpoint a location to within about three feet.
Copyright © 2009 National Public Radio®. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required.
STEVE INSKEEP, host:
Today, the European Union took a step to create a technological rival to the United States. Europeans launched the first satellite in its Galileo navigation project. European space agency officials say Galileo will eventually let people pinpoint a location to within about three feet. That's better than the US global positioning system or GPS. The US system is controlled by the military, which, for national security reasons, will only offer civilians a precision of about 16 feet. By 2008, consumers should be able to buy devices that switch back and forth between Galileo and GPS.
Copyright ©2009 National Public Radio®. All rights reserved. No quotes from the materials contained herein may be used in any media without attribution to National Public Radio. This transcript is provided for personal, noncommercial use only, pursuant to our Terms of Use. Any other use requires NPR's prior permission. Visit our permissions page for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by a contractor for NPR, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio.
Comments
Discussions for this story are now closed. Please see the Community FAQ for more information.