Problems for the Galileo satellite navigation system?

[epicstruggle]

Galileo satellite navigation system seems to be having financial problems. I was under the impression that it was to be launched last year, but it seems that they pushed the date back to 2009 and possibly further.

http://eureferendum.blogspot.com/2007/03/airbus-of-space.html

On Wednesday, however, the Financial Times was distinctly less sanguine, noting that, "Profit doubts halt Galileo development" and that "doubts among private contractors involved in the project over its profitability" were at the root of the troubles.

Originally, Galileo's first four operational satellites (which have been ordered) were to have been in orbit by 2006 – but they have been pushed back to 2009 or beyond, not soon enough to maintain the frequencies. Another test craft, Giove-B, has suffered repeated onboard computer problems and is still grounded. If that craft can eventually launch, however, the newly ordered Giove-A2 satellite, which is funded by taxpayers, may remain grounded after all.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/15/business/galileo.php

Galileo has also become a symbolic barometer of the EU's technological prowess. Some EU officials also fear being overtaken by China, which has indicated that its global positioning satellite system, Beidou, could be ready in a few years