The European Union recently launched its European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) satellite system into orbit, with its use ranging from satellite navigation for airplanes and auto drivers all the way to hikers and public utilities.
The free navigation system will offer support to nations across Europe, and provides more precise navigation than the GPS system currently used in the United States. To offer such accurate GPS coverage, the system requires the use of three satellites in orbit, along with 40 positioning stations and four control centers located on Earth.
Aside from drivers and hikers looking for GPS coordinates, the EU says support for auto toll accounts and other similar uses will be possible.
Anyone who wants to use the system can do so for free, with no prior authorization from the EU necessary. The EU's new system is open to anyone with a GPS/SBAS-capable device -- coverage extends across all 27 EU nations, with future coverage possible in Northern Africa and other nations close to the EU.
Furthermore, GPS accuracy has increased from 10 meters down to two meters, according to the EU.
Satellite-based technologies continue to be adopted for government, military and civilian use over the past decade. For example, the EGNOS system helps pave the way for the EU Galileo platform, which is designed to compete with GPS, and should be completed and in orbit sometime in 2014.
