For information only - not an official document

UNIS/MA17
Vienna, 4 June 2013

Media Advisory

The media is invited to attend the donation ceremony of a

Galileo navigation satellite model

on

Monday 10 June 2013

1.15 - 1.45 pm

at the Vienna International Centre (VIC), UNOOSA Space Exhibit (corridor  D/E)

The Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) will be given a Galileo navigation satellite model by the European Commission, which will be added to the UNOOSA permanent exhibit at the Vienna International Centre. UNOOSA currently has on display three models of navigation satellite systems, GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russian Federation)  and Beidou/COMPASS (China).

Galileo is Europe's own global navigation satellite system, providing a highly accurate global positioning service under civilian control. Galileo will deliver real-time positioning accuracy down to the meter range. It will guarantee availability of the service under all but the most extreme circumstances and will inform users within seconds of any satellite failure, making it suitable for safety-critical applications such as guiding cars, running trains and landing aircraft. The fully deployed Galileo system consists of 30 satellites, positioned in three circular Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) planes at 23 222 km altitude above the Earth. Four operational satellites launched so far - the minimum for satellite navigation.

The European Union is a founding member of the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG) that was established in 2005 under the umbrella of the United Nations. ICG promotes international cooperation on issues of mutual interest related to civil satellite-based positioning, navigation, timing, and value-added services.

Speakers:

Paul Flament, Commission Programme Manager and Head of Unit of Satellite Navigations Programme, European Commission

Olivier Colaïtis, Vice President for ATM Coordination at Astrium Space Transportation.

Moderator: Mazlan Othman, Director, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs

More information is available on www.unoosa.org

A VIC grounds pass is required. Please register by 7 June by writing to: press@unvienna.org

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For more information please contact:

Romana Kofler
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-4962
Email: romana.kofler[at]unoosa.org