question on Galileo

[pmn1]

The Daily Telegraph has a feature on this in which is says the first satellite developed by Surrey Satellite technology Ltd went from drawing board to launch in 30 months at the cost of £19 million.<br /><br />The second satellite being built by a euro consortium of Alcatel, Alenia Spazio, Astrium Gmbh, Astrium Ltd and Galeleo Sistemas y Servicios is slightly more advanced and had an initial price tag of £175 million (since reduced following competition from SSTL).<br /><br />What is the difference between the two satellite to make the second so much more expensive than the first?<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[jammers]

The one that was launched yesterday doesn't have an atomic clock on it, whereas the second one does.<br /><br />http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4588139.stm

 

[mlorrey]

http://www.theclockdepot.com/accuwave_alarm.html<br />http://www.leapsecond.com/pages/atomic-bill/<br /><br />Atomic clock price: $35.67 (with snooze alarm!!!!)<br />Real atomic clock price:The Agilent 5071A primary frequency standard is currently available at prices ranging from $45,332 to $48,662, which includes either the high-performance caesium beam tube with a five-year warranty or the standard caesium beam tube with a 10-year warranty. When sold separately, the Agilent 10891A high-performance caesium beam tube is priced at $20,497, and the 10890A standard caesium beam tube is priced at $18,497.<br /><br />Satellite: $12 million<br />Satellite with atomic clock, built by nationalized conglomerates: $175 million<br /><br />Virginia, this is what we mean by 'fuzzy math'...

 

[jammers]

Firstly the clock used on Galileo would need to be space rated. It is going to be spending it's life sat in the Van Allen belt after all. Not to mention the stress caused by launch, and all the other nastiness caused by space. <br />Secondly this is a hydrogen maser clock, which is presumably more expensive than a caesium beam tube to start off with, and there are two of them (and two Rubidium clocks as backups, but there are two of them on Giove-A as well, so that won't account for the difference in cost)

 

[pmn1]

Another question on Galileo, as I understand it, the operating costs of the US GPS is paid for by the US military (or rather the US taxpayer) and everyone can use the system for free.<br /><br />How will the private company that will operate Galileo pay for the operating costs, will receivers that can use Galileo be a bit more expensive, will you have to pay a fee to the company every time you use the Galileo system or will it come form EU funds (or rather some of the EU taxpayers) – its has already been dubbed ‘the CAP of space’ by at least one critic.<br /><br />How do other internationally used systems (weather satellites) pay for their running costs? <br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[pmn1]

Another question - what is the difference between Galileo and GPS that allows Galileo to be used indoors? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[najab]

The Gallileo demonstrator satellites are exactly that - demonstrators. The one which was just launched is little more than a transmitter. In order for the EU to maintain its ITU frequency allocations they had to have a space-based system in orbit and transmitting by early 2006. That's all the first satellite is intended to achieve, hence it can be a lot cheaper than an operational satellite.

 

[nacnud]

Galieo will have variouse levels of service depending on how much you pay.<br /><br />NAVIGATION <br /><li><b> Open Access </b> This will be 'free to air' and for use by the mass market; Simple timing and positioning down to 1m <li><b> Commercial </b> Encrypted; High accuracy at the cm scale; Guaranteed service for which service providers will charge fees <li><b> Safety of life </b> Open service; For applications where guaranteed accuracy is essential; Integrity messages warn of errors <li><b> Public regulated </b> Encrypted; Continuous availability even in time of crisis; Government agencies will be main users <br /><br />SAR<br /><li><b> Search and Rescue </b> System will pick up distress beacon locations; Feasible to send feedback, confirming help is on its way<br /></li></li></li></li></li>