EU's Galileo sat-nav system's budget overruns continue, European Commission asks for an extra €1.9 billion
![](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wXfHJbgOnbsvKC0hNY3LLg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTQyMDtoPTI3OA--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/i_iiVXWxaIQYhBF3XUv6UA--~B/aD0yMDQ7dz0zMDg7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/01/galileotheme2.jpg)
The European Commission has just completed its mid-term review of the EU's Galileo satellite navigation system and -- surprise, surprise -- they found that they need an additional €1.9 billion ($2.56 billion) to finish the system. This latest budget recommendation ups the cost an extra €200 million ($269 million) since the Commission's last report, and cites larger development and more expensive launch vehicles for the increase. The EU remains optimistic that Galileo will provide a financial windfall when completed -- but given its estimated €800 million ($1 billion) per year operating costs, constant delays, and competition from Russia, China, and good old-fashioned GPS, we're not so sure we agree.