Javier Benedicto concludes: “Galileo has delivered added value to worldwide users and sovereignty to Europe in the crucial sector of satellite navigation, which has grown into the single largest downstream space market, underpinning many elements of the European economy. It has been a privilege to work on, alongside the European Commission, EUSPA and our many industrial and academic partners across our continent - and the best is yet to come.”

About Galileo

Galileo is currently the world’s most precise satellite navigation system, serving close to four billion users around the globe since entering Initial Services. All smartphones sold in the European Single Market are now guaranteed Galileo-enabled. In addition, Galileo is making a difference across the fields of rail, maritime, agriculture, financial timing services and rescue operations.

Galileo is a flagship programmes of the EU Space Programme, managed and funded by the European Union. Since its inception, ESA leads the design and development of the space and ground systems, as well as procuring launches. EUSPA (the EU Agency for the Space Programme) acts as the service provider of Galileo, overseeing the market and application needs and closing the loop with users.

For more info about Galileo: https://www.usegalileo.eu/EN/.