Love this part from the linked article:
So far, we have used the US GPS (Global Positioning System) which is accurate up to a few metres. Galileo has the potential to offer accuracies below one metre.
I got a kick out of that also. A reason to ask for billions of euros to fund program.
Galileo satellites go onto wrong, lower orbit
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28910662
Shazbot.
GLONASS fail to launch
Not exactly related but I just saw this video of a Glonass satellite failing to launch, from 2013. Pretty nasty shockwave at the end.
Correctly Circularizing Galileo Orbits Is Probable
Positioning thrusters can do it, but their life expectancy could be decreased.
But changing the inclination of orbits is more of a problem for thrusters. At the wrong inclination they are useable, but less than ideal. I recommend they circularize the orbits and see how that works first. It probably could not be fully assessed before there is a full constellation.
Multi satellite launches are more economical until they go wrong. I would say the loss of the 3 GLONASS was a costlier problem than this. It was not catastrophic as GLONASS service continues. This is just another delay in Galileo. Easily fixed with more money.
Paul in PA
