Engineers from Astrium, the prime contractor for Giove-B, presented the results of the tests at the European Space Research and Technology Centre ESTEC in Noordwijk, Holland. The key components of the Galileo* system, particularly the new signal generator and the extremely accurate Passive Hydrogen Maser atomic clock, proved to be perfectly fit for purpose, even when tested under real-time conditions.

The European Space Agency ESA, on whose behalf the mission is being conducted, confirmed the successful conclusion of the test phase during the In-Orbit Test Review (ITR) which took place on 3 July 2008.

Dr. Reinhold Lutz, Astrium's Senior Vice President Navigation said: "Now that we have checked out every last detail of Giove-B's real capabilities, we can confidently say that the satellite is operating and transmitting perfectly. The successful results of every single test performed prove that the platform and its payload are ready to go into service.

"The quality of the signals and the accuracy of the atomic clocks provide the best possible evidence that the Galileo technology really does deliver the added value that we had hoped to obtain from the system.

"We are also very proud of the world's most advanced navigation satellite. As the test confirms, our company now has the necessary technological skills to take the spacecraft on through the in-orbit validation phase and continue building the system up to Full Operational Capability," said Lutz.

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