<a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/7&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN">http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/7&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN</a><br>
<br>The European Commission announced today the award of three of the six contracts for the procurement of Galileo's initial operational capability. The contract for the system support services is awarded to ThalesAleniaSpace of Italy , that for a first order of 14 satellites to OHB System AG of Germany and that for the launch services to Arianespace of France. This will allow the initial deployment and service provision of Europe's satellite navigation system as of early 2014.