"Onyx was launched in April 2000 and currently functions in an experimental mode. It will enter its operational phase during 2004 and will be truely functional in the end of 2005/ beginning of 2006. By then, the number of antennas must be doubled." "Besides some minor discussions, the Onyx project was never submitted to political debate at the Parliament regarding its opportunity and its financing. The investments, spread out over several years, were carried out while resorting to various different budgetary categories without the Parliament never receiving an overall picture of the total costs of the project." "The delegation considers that the information of the Parliament and the public on Onyx is not sufficient. The delegation thinks that the whole Parliament and the public opinion have the right to be better informed on the goals of the Onyx project for which important means were allocated." Source: Rapport de la Délégation des Commissions de gestion des Chambres fédérales "Système d’interception des communications par satellite du Département fédéral de la défense, de la protection de la population et des sports (projet « Onyx »)" (translated) 10/11/2003 URL: http://www.parlament.ch/f/ed-pa-gpd-onyx-d.pdf (french) http://www.parlament.ch/ed-pa-gpd-onyx-d.pdf (german)