TEL AVIV, Israel, March 13 (UPI) -- A bid by Israeli companies to join the European Union's Galileo space program is expected to pass, Ha'aretz news agency reported.
The decision to propose the companies, including the Defense Ministry's Rafael Armament Development Authority, the state-owned Israel Aircraft Industries, Orbit, and Rokar International, for participation in the Galileo project, the European competitor to the American Global Positioning System for the commercial market, was made at a meeting between Israeli and European officials in Tel Aviv.
If the companies are approved, Israel will invest at least $20 million over five years, and an equal sum will be provided by the Europeans for equipment and technology orders from the Israeli companies.
The total European investment in the project is estimated at $5.4 billion for 30 satellites and ground stations.
Twenty-eight European countries and China are participating in the Galileo project.
