CANADA PARTICIPATING IN EUROPEAN <br />GALILEO SATELLITE NAVIGATION PROGRAM<br /><br /><br />Longueuil, Quebec, October 8, 2003 -Canada's space industry will directly<br />benefit from an Arrangement signed yesterday between the Canadian Space<br />Agency (CSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) that ensures Canada's<br />participation in the Development and Validation Phase of Europe's Galileo<br />Program. <br /><br />Galileo is a European satellite navigation and positioning system that will<br />provide highly accurate global positioning services. The CSA's $11 million<br />contribution to this phase of Galileo allows Canadian companies to respond<br />to requests for proposals and to take an active part in the program. <br /><br />"By collaborating with ESA in this leading-edge international satellite<br />navigation initiative, Canada is targeting its funding to provide new and<br />exciting opportunities for the Canadian space industry," said Allan Rock,<br />Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the CSA.<br /><br />Galileo is a joint initiative of the European Commission and ESA. It will be<br />the first satellite positioning and navigation system intended specifically<br />for civilian purposes and it will improve the reliability and availability<br />of navigation and positioning services worldwide. When fully deployed in<br />2008, Galileo will employ up to 30 satellites in medium earth orbit, and<br />will be supported by a worldwide network of ground stations. The Development<br />and Validation Phase will take place from 2003 to 2006. <br /><br />"Galileo's new generation of navigation services will also benefit Canadians<br />in such areas as air and sea traffic control, ground transportation, crime<br />prevention, urban planning, agriculture and fisheries," said Marc Garneau,<br />President of the CSA.<br /><br />The Arrangement was signed yesterday in Paris by Raymond Chrétien, Canada's<br />Ambassador to France, on behalf of the Government of Canada, and by<br />Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA's Director General.<br /><br /> <br />About Canada and ESA<br />The European Space Agency (ESA) is composed of 15 Member States. Canada is a<br />Cooperating Member and the only non-European country to participate directly<br />in earth observation, telecommunications, navigation, exploration and<br />technology development programs of ESA. Under the terms of the Canada-ESA<br />Cooperation Agreement, CSA's contributions to ESA programs are returned in<br />the form of contracts to Canadian industry. The year 2004 will mark the 25th<br />anniversary of Canada-ESA collaboration.<br /><br />About the Canadian Space Agency<br />Established in 1989 with its Headquarters situated in Longueuil, Quebec, the<br />CSA is responsible for the overall national program. The CSA delivers<br />services relating to Earth and the Environment, Space Science, Human<br />Presence in Space, Satellite Communications, Space Technology, Space<br />Qualification Services, Space Awareness and Education. The CSA is at the<br />forefront of the development and application of space knowledge for the<br />benefit of Canadians and humanity.<br /><br /><br />-30-<br /><br />For more information, please contact:<br /><br />Monique Billette<br />Senior Media Relations Spokesperson<br />Canadian Space Agency<br />Tel: (450) 926-4370<br />monique.billette@space.gc.ca<br />www.space.gc.ca