EC, ESA Officials Debate Opening Galileo to Non-European Firms

摘要

The European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA), the two government bodies overseeing Europe's Galileo project, are battling about the degree to which they should open up the contract bidding on the satellite navigation system - especially to U.S. and other non-European companies. The issue has led some government officials to raise the specter that Europe's flagship space endeavor could end up being farmed out to U.S., Russian or Chinese companies in the interests of getting the best value for money. "Do we have to open it up to worldwide competition?" asked Jean-Jacques Dordain, director-general of the 17-nation ESA, which is overseeing Galileo contract awards using funds provided by the commission of the 27-nation European Union.