Galileo satellite launch

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The European Space Agency launched two Galileo satellites by a Russian Soyuz rocket from its French Guiana base. To compete with the American Global Positioning System, the European Commission has invested about $9.6 billion to provide Europeans with an alternative service, which will be free initially before transitioning to a paid service in 2020. The launch was delayed because of budget overruns, but officials are optimistic that the benefits of its precision will outweigh issues caused by its overspending. Officials estimate that Galilieo will bring in €90 billion throughout the next 20 years.

The agency wants to increase the total number of satellites to 30 during the next decade. As time progresses and the number of spacecraft in orbit increases, the performance of all devices should show improvement.

-compiled by Fiza Hashmi