When it comes to satellite navigation, the British government has struggled to find its way over the last five years.
Those problems began with a June 2016 referendum, when a narrow majority voted in favor of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union. That triggered the long, complex process of Britain disentangling itself from the EU across a vast spectrum of activities, with the governments not completing the final Brexit deal until December 2020.
Among those issues was Galileo, the EU’s satellite navigation system. With the UK no longer an EU member, the British government would need an agreement with the EU — including, likely, some financial contribution — to both continue participation in the manufacturing of Galileo satellites as well as access the system’s secure signal, the Public Regulated Service (PRS). The EU has such “third country” agreements with Norway and Switzerland.
Britain charts a new course for satellite navigation – SpaceNews
