New way forward for Galileo satellite navigation - guide

30 November 2011
by eub2 -- last modified 30 November 2011

The European Commission has proposed today the new framework for the financing and governance of the two European satellite navigation programmes Galileo and EGNOS (GPS signal augmentation) for the period 2014-2020.

The Commission proposes to earmark €7.0 billions to guarantee the completion of the EU satellite navigation infrastructure and to ensure the exploitation of the systems until 2020, such as the operations of the space and terrestrial infrastructures, the necessary replenishment/replacement activities, certification procedures, and notably the provision of services.

The proposal also recalls that the Union remains the owner of the systems. Therefore the management of the programmes' exploitation should be delegated to the European GNSS Agency while management of the programmes' deployment should be delegated to the European Space Agency.

Background

Galileo Navigation system

Galileo will allow users to know their exact position in time and space, just like GPS, but with greater precision and reliability. Galileo is the Programme of the European Union to develop a global satellite navigation system under European civilian control. It will be compatible and, for some of its services, interoperable with the American GPS and Glonass (Russia), but independent from them.

In 2014 Galileo will offer three services: the Open Service (free of charge), the Public Regulated Service (ensures that key services such as the police and ambulance services, continue to function in moments of crisis), and the Search-and-Rescue Service (in times of emergency, for example a sailor lost at sea). Further services to follow later will include a Commercial Service and a Safety-of-Life Service for higher accuracy authenticated data and use in life-critical applications. Galileo recently took a huge leap forward on 21st October with the launch of the first two operational Galileo satellites. A second launch of a further two Galileo operational satellites is foreseen in 2012. This success paves the way to the provision of Galileo's initial services in 2014.

Contracts allocated for the deployment of Galileo: The deployment phase began in 2008 and work has been divided into six lots which have all been opened to public procurement markets. The first four lots - i.e. engineering support, construction of the satellites, launch services and operations - were all allocated in 2010 for roughly €1250 million. The final two lots, which concern ground infrastructure, were allocated in June 2011.

EGNOS the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service: Already since 1st of October 2009 Europeans benefit from improved GPS signals in Europe provided by EGNOS, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service. EGNOS comprises just three satellites including more than 40 ground stations, and acts as an enhancement to the US-based GPS system for safety critical applications in aviation and marine environments. It provides freely available positioning data throughout Europe to any EGNOS-enabled GPS receiver. Its Safety-of-Life Service increasing aviation safety is operational since March 2011.

International cooperation: The EU system and those from China, the United States, Russia, Japan and India are compatible, but this requires constant discussions with each nation and within a UN context. Norway participates and has contributed to the funding of the program, and there are on-going negotiations with Switzerland.

Galileo further information

Source: European Commission