Europe’s attempts to build a rival to America’s GPS network have been attacked by the British politicians behind a recent inquiry. The Galileo project could turn into a £10 billion white elephant, according to Gwyneth Dunwoody, chairwoman of the Transport Select Committee. Actually Dunwoody used rather more colourful language, telling BBC Radio 4, “This is not one pig flying in orbit, this is a herd of pigs with gold trotters, platinum tails and diamond eyes.”

The committee’s new report on Galileo says there is not enough information available to determine whether the benefits outweigh the costs. Any decision must be delayed until this becomes clear, they say (report PDF). Earlier this year the European Union doubled the subsidy needed from member states for the project to 4.5 billion euros (Bloomberg).

Initially a strong reason for Galileo was that the US military could turn off or degrade the GPS signal. However earlier this year the US said newer GPS satellites would not be down-gradable. The programme is already behind schedule and the European Commission is now proposing to divert funds from its agriculture budget to fund Galileo (AFP). Dunwoody would prefer money be spent on better roads and railways.

Whether or not the project goes forward remains to be seen; for now, though, it still moves…

More coverage

MPs urge action on Galileo costs, BBC

MPs censure EU satellite project, Reuters

MPs demand satellite cost review, Guardian

Galileo an ‘orbiting Railtrack’, say mps, Independent

Galileo slammed by UK politicians, Register

BBC Q&A on Galileo

Galileo gets into position, Nature from 2005

Image: Artists impression of Galileo satellite / ESA