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Second Galileo Test Satellite Now in Orbit

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the still-plugging-away dept.

Simon (S2) writes to mention that Europe's second Galileo navigation satellite reached orbit this past weekend. Galileo is promising to offer several technological advances in comparison to the US-based GPS system but no longer promises to be a guaranteed service. "The Galileo programme now seems certain to go ahead, after a prolonged and painful shift from partly-private financing of the construction to public funds taken from unspent EU farm subsidies. This money would normally have been returned to donor nations, with the UK, Germany and the Netherlands as the biggest three. London MPs have expressed doubt as to whether the UK will receive value for the money it will pay, but have acknowledged that the British government doesn't actually have any choice about Galileo under EU funding rules."

8 of 157 comments (clear)

  1. Two?!!? by ArcherB · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wow! They are up to two satellites? Does this mean I can tell which hemisphere I'm on?

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    1. Re:Two?!!? by mangamuscle · · Score: 4, Funny

      It all depends, if you are an US Citizen it would be a moot point since you would not recognize any geographical location outside your backyard.

    2. Re:Two?!!? by ArcherB · · Score: 5, Funny

      It all depends, if you are an US Citizen it would be a moot point since you would not recognize any geographical location outside your backyard. My backyard? You mean Canada?
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    3. Re:Two?!!? by fred+fleenblat · · Score: 4, Funny

      You are misinformed. The galileo satellites are the first of a new breed of reverse GPS. Using your known location on earth, the satellite(s) triangulate THEIR location and consult an on-board map of turn-by-turn directions so that they can find nearby gas stations, restaurants, and space stations. It's the first step in establishing a network of McDonalds in orbit, a necessity before space colonization can begin.

    4. Re:Two?!!? by jbeaupre · · Score: 3, Funny

      Give us some credit. We most certainly do recognize locations outside our backyard. "Overthere" is a well recognized location. But my memory fails me trying to remember some of the other well known places.

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      The world is made by those who show up for the job.
    5. Re:Two?!!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      It all depends, if you are an US Citizen it would be a moot point since you would not recognize any geographical location outside your backyard. My backyard? You mean Canada?

      Nope. Canada is our front yard, with well trimmed grass and a white picket fence; the back yard, where the septic tank and broken down cars are located is in the other direction./p.

    6. Re:Two?!!? by jbeaupre · · Score: 3, Funny

      North pole / Where Santa lives Heaven Hell Outer space Bibleland "back where they came from"

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      The world is made by those who show up for the job.
    7. Re:Two?!!? by pjt33 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Texas?