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What has been the influencing factors for the EU to initiate the Galileo program?

There were several arguments discussed. Among all I find the following ones the most important: (1) We cannot accept a monopole which is practically the case at present with the US GPS system. A monopole stands still. If there is competition, this is in the interest of the worldwide user, because it means that the systems are further developed to serve better the needs of the user. (2) Satellite navigation is such an important high-tech market in the future that Europe cannot afford it to ignore it and to stay away.

How do you think Galileo will compete with the other existing GNSS in the post 2011 scenario, where other players would have had early mover advantage?

Galileo will have many new features which GPS does not have now. I like to mention in particular global integrity as well as improved performance in accuracy and availability in urban areas. There is no doubt that similar features are planned for GPS-III, however, the first satellites will probably not launched earlier than around 2015. This means that Galileo will have at least a window of more than 5 years to get acceptance by the user.

With respect to GLONASS we still have the fundamental difference to GPS and Galileo, that it is based on FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) whereas all other use CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). This really hinders to have a tight integrated combined GLONASS/GNSS receiver.

Can we expect to have open and free to access Galileo signal structure?

It is planned to publish the first draft of the Galileo SIS ICD in about 1-2 months.

Galileo seems to have caught the fancy of the political force in EU. How do you think sensitizing the political elements helps in scientific and technological mission?

The European Union has initiated and is driving the Galileo development (and pays a large portion through its member states). No doubt that the right way in realizing such large infrastructure projects is when politics, science and technology (industry) are working closely together.

The state of Bavaria is actively involved in Galileo program. Do you see more active role for the University FAF Munich in days to come?

There is certainly more to come. My institute (the Institute of Geodesy and Navigation) will come up in the next months with an International Executive Master Program for Satellite Navigation. We further thinking already on developments for Galileo 2. And of course, we are very well engaged in the working groups established by the EU-US Agreement on Interoperability of June 2004. My university is developing an excellence cluster in science on civil security where among other things satellite navigation and, in particular, Galileo will play an important role. So, these are only some examples for our work – we are living in an exciting time!

During Munich SNS 2006, it was said that Galileo motivation constitutes of market, military and pride.

I propose to withdraw the question because I do not know who it has said and what this person had in mind.

What will you suggest as “The GNSS Application” in the coming decade, say post 2015?

I personally think that one of the main applications for satellite navigation which will come up in the next years is safety and (personal) security. It looks this is a main desire of our societies to live in a secure environment.

Whereas the “Civil” usage of the GNSS will access all the three system signals, do you see the usage of GNSS “Safety of Life” signals divided by political boundaries?

I do not see this going to happen. The EU and Galileo has made many proposals for the “Safety of Life” service which we will bring in into the international fore. However, it has been said also by EU officials that we are seeking the support and the agreement with the corresponding international bodies in all these matters and are not going an isolated way..

How do you see the Asian market from the Galileo based GNSS applications and augmentation systems?

The Asian market is probably the most important satellite navigation market in future. Japan will build up its QZSS system, China has announced that they want to built up their own global satellite navigation system and India is also very active in this field (see for example GAGAN). We are at present only at the beginning of a boom in the satellite navigation market in Asia.

Will the bottom rung of the application pyramid of GNSS, continue to be dominated by the hardware manufacturers in Taiwan and Korea or you expect some shift to EU countries in post Galileo era?

There is no doubt that it is cheaper to manufacture hightech products in Taiwan and South Korea. However, concerning design and innovation Europe has still to offer a lot. Probably we will see more and more a split of work and the creation of multi-national companies around the world.

Guenter Hein on GALILEO