Galileo, the European satellite navigation system, has got the go-ahead for public funding from the EU parliament. The project, which is five years behind schedule, was in doubt after a public-private approach to funding had foundered.

EU taxpayers will now be stumping up Euros 3.4bn for a 30 satellite constellation, to be in place by 2013, which will duplicate the functions of the US GPS and Russian Glonass constellations.

Private companies will now act as contractors to the project, rather than joint owners.

The decision to launch the Galileo project was taken at the Nice European Council in December 2000 and the aim was that it would be in operation in 2008, after development and the deployment of the satellites.

Under the original Public Private Partnership plan, public funds would cover development costs, while construction and deployment would mainly be financed by the private sector, which would also operate the system.

The project hit delays with its testing timetable and over negotiations with the private sector and is now five years behind schedule.

So far only one of the three satellites has been launched. Giove A1, built by Surrey Satellite Technology, was launched in December 2005 and began transmitting Galileo navigation signals in January 2006.

The Giove B satellite which should have been launched in 2006, is still postponed.

See also: Galileo debacle - Euro Parliament seeks a solution

See also: Surrey Satellite targets 2010 to be $100m firm