Galileo Update

RUAG Space selected to provide equipment for Galileo satellites

RUAG Space has been selected to supply components worth a total of approximately 35 million Euros to equip 14 satellites in the European Galileo navigation program. In addition to the central control computers and further electronic components, RUAG Space will also be responsible for manufacturing alignment mechanisms for the satellite’s solar arrays, as well as antennas and a special multi-layer insulation blanket.

“Participation in the Galileo project not only represents a major business deal for RUAG but also confirms the strategic direction being taken by our Space division,” explained Peter Guggenbach, CEO RUAG Space. “We have gathered a number of different niche space suppliers under the RUAG umbrella. As Europe’s largest independent supplier, we are now able to offer a comprehensive product portfolio,” added Guggenbach. The central control computers for the Galileo satellites will be manufactured by RUAG Space in Gothenburg, Sweden. These computers are designed to control and monitor the navigation payload and numerous other subsystems. They will also control the temperature and power distribution onboard the satellites. RUAG Space Austria is also involved in the process of developing and building these computers.

www.ruag.com

Jean-Jacques Dordain to continue as Director General of ESA

The Council of the ESA announced that Jean-Jacques Dordain will continue as the Director General of ESA for a further period of four years. Mr Dordain has served as Director General of ESA since 2003. This third mandate extends his term to June 2015.

www.esa.int

EU sees opportunities for space applications

The European Commission’s recently adopted GNSS Applications Action Plan aims to place European industry in pole position to take full advantage of the global downstream market worth about €100 billion in particular by using its own satellite navigation programmes, Galileo and EGNOS. Significant commercial and research opportunities are available to universities, developers and manufacturers in Europe to research, innovate, develop or sell applications based on this sophisticated technology.

Antonio Tajani, European Commission Vice-President in charge of Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: “Europe simply cannot afford to ignore the economic benefits of taking full advantage of this market – the alternative is not an option. Action must be taken to ensure Europe’s SMEs become aware of the extensive business opportunities and the European citizens about the vast variety of possible applications. Like the Internet, satellite applications will play a part in all our daily lives.” The uptake of GNSS applications in Europe has until now been slow notwithstanding Europe’s investments and the availability of EGNOS. The share of the European industry in worldwide GNSS applications market is moreover low. The limited usage of applications based on EGNOS and GALILEO leads to critical dependencies from military-inspired GNSS that are beyond European control.

www.eurasiareview.com