International Space programme Science & Technology

Galileo is a civilian satellite navigation system owned by the EU and run for it by EUSPA

Background

Galileo is the Global Navigation Satellite System of the EU, and it provides navigation, positioning and timing information.
The system is a civilian system, not like other global satellite navigation systems, and secure service for end users was built into its design.
The Galileo Programme is owned by the EU, and the European Commission, as the Programme Manager, oversees all of its activities.
EUSPA carries the operational management of Galileo services and buys the launch services that the constellation needs.
The design of the system and its evolution are entrusted by EUSPA to ESA.
The system has three parts, a ground segment, a space segment and a user segment.
The ground segment is spread across several EU locations and includes the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre, the Galileo Service Centre, the Galileo Reference Centre and the Galileo Control Centres.

Owner of the Programme: EU Programme Manager: European Commission Body entrusted with system design: ESA Segments of the system: a ground, space and user segment

Why it matters for exams: Which satellite navigation system belongs to which power, and whether it is civilian or military, is a common comparison question.

Kerala PSCUPSCSSC

13 November 2026 Source: EU Agency for the Space Programme

In plain words

GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System — The general name for a satellite positioning system.

EUSPA EU Agency for the Space Programme — Runs the operational management of Galileo services.

ESA European Space Agency — Entrusted with Galileo's system design and evolution.

Segment System segment — One of the three parts of Galileo: ground, space and user.