#satelittes

Europe's rival to GPS is stepping up its efforts to provide precise navigation, road transport management, search and rescue services and secure banking.

Galileo already combines the most precise atomic clock ever flown for navigation -- accurate to 1 second in 3 million years -- with a powerful transmitter to broadcast navigation data worldwide.

It launched two more satellites into space on Friday from a South American spaceport in French Guiana.

The satellites, named David and Sif1, join another pair that has been orbiting the Earth since last year. Now that the four satellites form a mini-constellation, Galileo can be validated and fine-tuned, after which 14 more satellites will be deployed by the end of 2014.

The two satellites just launched are the first to carry search and rescue antennas part of the international Cospas-Sarsat system, which detects and locates emergency beacons activated by aircraft, ships and backcountry hikers in distress.

Galileo aims to provide a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service that’s better than GPS and controlled by civilians. Galileo will be compatible with GPS, which is maintained by the U.S. government, as well as the Russian government’s GLONASS. GPS and GLONASS aren’t Galileo’s only competitors -- China’s Beidou constellation is already operating, as well.

According to ZDNet, Galileo “services include a freely available open service, for use in in-car navigation systems, for example; a public regulated service, for first responders such as police and ambulance; a search and rescue service, for maritime emergencies, among others; a safety of life service, for aviation; and a fee-based commercial service, for mapping and surveying providers, for example.”

Galileo, which should be certified and ready to use in 2015, is a joint initiative of the European Commission and the European Space Agency, and one of the largest space projects ever conducted in Europe.

With two of the three events on the Sunday of Smile Fringe being cancelled last minute, all eyes were on the Freeze The Atlantic show at The Cellar. Not only was this the only event now happening, but Freeze The Atlantic also contain former Reuben and Hundred Reasons members. 

We arrived in a dimly lit room, definitely the perfect setting for a great rock show - it was then over to the bands to give us one.  

  First up were Southampton based Satellites, the band make a steady start, showing off their brand of rock; thumping bass and high gain guitars with a deep male voice. After the first song nothing jumps out and hits you in the face even if you’re willing them to hurt you, however they immediately launch into a more upbeat track which actually has some great melody hooks. The bands influences include Reuben and they are clearly honoured to be sharing the stage with the ex member. Later on into the set lead singer Kenny does make an effort to interact with the crowd, which doesn't go unnoticed but the lack of on stage presence leaves the audience giving a subdued reaction. 

Satellites 

Tattoos, skinheads and four beefy looking guys, that would be the best way to describe second act Middlenamekill. When hearing the band name and matching that with the image, it’s easy to fit them with a common metal stereotype, however the band dive into a series of uptempo and sometimes catchy tunes. As the set went on I couldn’t help feeling aged 15 again. The deep, sustained riffs alternate between a sound not to dissimilar to that of Deftones or any Nu-Metal from the late 90’s or early 00’s and very early Fall Out Boy, this suggests a range of influences which has lead to a slightly confused sound. Middlenamekill come to the end of a very well rehearsed set and the crowd seem genuinely impressed, probably reminiscing about what they were doing 10 years ago. 

  When attending a live gig, members of the crowd don’t always take notice of a band during the setting up periods in between acts, maybe rightly so, why should they? It was hard not to pay attention to The Light Divided however, who were jamming and playing about on their instruments before properly starting their set. This is somewhat amateur for a band sub headlining a show, maybe more expected from bands who are playing their first gig -but let’s move on from that and talk about the music. When The Light Divided eventually begin we hear some great use of vocal harmonies over thunderous riffs and ‘chuggy’ beat-downs. Keeping in with the theme of the night so far there are of course guitar solos like it was 1986, but these are done well, only sounding cheesy at times. The band brought a little more in terms of musical light and shade compared to the other two supports which was very refreshing, and there was also the use of impressive gang shouts and Billy Talent style triple threat vocal attacks. The crowd in The Cellar are still yet to fully commit but The Light Divided can rock it bad ass when they want too, and were worthy sub headliners tonight. 

  Up until this point, although with moments of great musicality, none of the acts had managed to fully engage with the audience who were left wanting that little bit extra. It was now over the the eagerly anticipated Freeze The Atlantic to try to fulfill these expectations.