Galileo navigation satellite. Computer artwork of one of the navigation satellites for the European Galileo network, orbiting the Earth above the continent of North America. The Sun is reflected in its solar panels (blue). Another of the Galileo satellites is at upper left. Galileo will be a civilian global positioning system (GPS) that will consist of 30 satellites orbiting over 23,000 kilometres above the Earth. Applications include car, train and aircraft guidance, rescue services, and road use taxation. It is scheduled to operate from 2008. The first of the Galileo satellites was launched in late 2005.
