Europe takes aim at U.S. space monopoly

[Pekka]

red_jon, I'm sober! It is all crystal clear to me now. I will never poison my body with substances that don't belong to my body, because there's a chance I'd become a pinky lifting communist sissie Euro!

[Drake Tungsten]

because there's a chance I'd become a pinky lifting communist sissie Euro!

A fate worse than death...

[Pekka]

But no, I do not hate Europe or think it's bad. Europe is Europe, it has many good things, and few bad things. But good things definitely are more than the bad things.

But the Europe most of people are talking about, it's just a myth, it's utopia, and that utopia is being reached with the wrong methods.

[Drake Tungsten]

But no, I do not hate Europe or think it's bad. Europe is Europe, it has many good things, and few bad things. But good things definitely are more than the bad things.

You're not going to get into America with that kind of attitude, Pekka.

[Pekka]

Drake, Well I'm not talking about their policies, I'm talking about Finland! WOOHOO GO FINNS! And few other countries as well. Down with the ego maniacs in central Europe. They just want to show America how they can compete, but I'll laugh when they everytime land on their butts, because they start fighting.

We don't have common goals. And if we have some, we disagree how we should make them reality. EU is nothing but a bunch of paperworkers having a job working for something that really doesn't even exist.

It's like going to boxing gym to pick up a new hobby, and everyone knows others but you. Then it's time to pair up and start boxing, and you're the last to be picked because everyone is just going with their buddies. Someone has to be with you, and he smiles a little and tries to be nice on the outside. Now imagine this happening for a hundred years in a row, no one getting to know you? That makes the new guy wanting to puch their teeth in.

Imaginary conversation:
Me: I'm from Finland, thanks for asking.
American: Cool, where's that?
Me: Next to Sweden, in northern Europe
American: Great, so what are you doing here? Having any fun yet?
.....

Me: From Finland
TRUE EURO: Where's that?
Me: It's in Europe. Next to Sweden.
TRUE EURO: Oh next to sweden I know.. wait.. isn't that Russia? Well I'm from Paris... why don't you speak French? You arrogant man from Fynland! I kick your ass man! My scooter is cool and I have a hot babe waiting in the cafeteria, and when I'm finished with you I'm going to pork her!
Me: Ok whatever..

[Pekka]

To me, being European is as much as being a world citizen. They are both facts, but I can't identify myself with it. Not unless Aliens come and start invading us, then I'd feel world citizen. Not even ugly aliens with 4 slimy heads and evil laser beams makes me feel like a TRUE EURO.

[Pekka]

Well.. no one has anything to say? I know truth hurts.. but it's the only way my dear fellows..

I think it's time to bring BRITNEY!

[Ming]

I see somebody is asking for a vacation

Get back on topic... enough of this little spam fest...

[Pekka]

Sorry. I got so carried away I realized I'm doing a bad threadjack. Sorry for that. Will not continue.

Yes to the topic. Europe will fail. Their rockets are fueled with egoline, and that won't get them too high. It'll just crash and burn.

[Drake Tungsten]

I think it's time to bring BRITNEY!

USA! USA! USA!

[mrmitchell]

Secret launching platforms under the UK Houses of Parliament,

Wouldn't launching rockets into Parliament be a good thing?

[DeathByTheSword]

pekka....i am dutch....and well we are a smaller country then finland...all we are known for is cheese, weed and whores...so being know for something isnt always a good thing....

but what i wanted to say....I have been to Finland 6 times in the last 7 years and next to Sweden it is the most beautifull country of the EU...the only problem is that (which i can think of) that finland is a relative young country.....wasnt it first controlled by Sweden and stuff...?

[CerberusIV]

Back on topic (although I can't think why I should bother), this is a commercial decision. The US system was deliberately degraded to reduce its accuracy until a few years ago. The fear is that the US will reintroduce that.

So if the Republicans become slightly more paranoid than they are already (is that possible?) the commercial and scientific market for GPS data will be handed to the europeans. If not it is simply an expensive way of saying to the US that other people can do what the US does if they really want to.

By the way, is there some sort of Russian GPS satellite system as well?

[Jack the Bodiless]

Europeans want to use GPS for applications such as traffic management (land, air and sea). It has to be good enough to locate exactly which road lane, railway line, jetty, or runway a vehicle is on.

With the Pentagon ready to degrade the civilian signal at the slightest rumor that maybe there's a Middle-Eastern guy with facial hair who doesn't like the USA much, they want a system that guaranteed to be accurate ALL the time.

[Saint Marcus]

the Russian GPS system isn't fully functional