BBC - Mission to prove Europe's sat-nav

Europe's quest to build its own version of GPS is about to take an
important step forward with the launch of a test spacecraft, Giove-B.

The demonstrator must prove the key technologies in the Galileo
satellite navigation system before the full network begins its roll-
out in 2010.

These include the atomic clocks which provide the precise timing that
underpins all sat-nav applications.

The launch is a big moment for Galileo which has suffered severe
delays.

More and video at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7359079.stm
.

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