The currently existing satellite navigation systems GPS and GLONASS have impressively demonstrated the possibilities of using satellite navigation; there are numerous civilian applications worldwide. However, both systems are controlled nationally and designed for military applications and cannot meet the basic requirements in terms of continuity, integrity, and precision required for safety-relevant and sovereign applications. Therefore, the Federal Republic of Germany supports the activities initiated by the EU, which aim at: (1) developing, first of all, technical additions to make the existing systems useable without delay also for applications involving exacting requirements; and (2) initiating, at the same time, preliminary work to design and organize a European contribution to a global, civilian satellite navigation system which is operating according to international criteria.
Abstract