The next opportunity for a solar eclipse is 2081 for this part of the Earth so it's something which is attracting quite a lot of interest,

Galileo will be a completely independent system made and controlled by Europeans and is a civilian service.

This is an important step for Europe. It's a tool that Europe is giving itself that will be independent of the American system, although it will be [technologically] compatible with the American system.

The satellite is up in space and transmitting signals.

We're starting with fresh technologies and more up-to- date components, and it will be run by a civilian system and not a military environment.

Galileo is made in Europe by Europeans. If the Americans want to scramble GPS, they can do it whenever they want . . . whereas our system is a civilian-based system run by a civilian authority and would be completely autonomous.