Galileo Update

U.S. and EU announce improved performance from combined GPS and Galileo receivers

The US, the European Union and its Member States announced the conclusion of an initial phase of consultations affirming user interoperability and enhanced performance of combined GPS and Galileo receivers performance under the auspices of their 2004 Agreement on the Promotion, Provision and Use of Galileo and GPS Satellite-Based Navigation Systems and Related Applications.

A working group designed to enhance cooperation for the next generation GPS and Galileo completed an assessment of the global, combined performance for GPS SBAS receivers using the EGNOS and the GPS WAAS supporting safety-of-life applications. The results confirmed improved availability for a wide range of aviation services in both hemispheres and significantly improved robustness to GPS satellite outages. The working group also completed an assessment of receivers integrating planned interoperable GPS III and Galileo open civil services. The study compares GPS, Galileo, and GPS/Galileo combined performance for three receiver types using four study cases.

http://pnt.gov

EGNOS transition towards Safety of Life service

ESSP, the designated EGNOS system operator and provider of its Safety-of-Life (SoL) service, launched the procedure to remove the ‘MT0’ warning from the EGNOS Signal in Space on 2 August 2010, in order to start broadcasting EGNOS integrity messages. A transition work plan is being prepared in cooperation with ESA and industry, aimed at enabling the start of the SoL service in November of this year, as planned. This could include the carrying out of further tests. Once the Safety-of- Life service is declared operational, pilots will be able to use the EGNOS APV approaches for landing without needing ground-based navigation equipment and achieve performances similar to those provided by Instrument Landing Systems (ILS Cat. I).

www.gsa.europa.eu

Atomic Clocks for 14 Galileo Satellites

SELEX Galileo has signed a €30 million contract with Surrey Satellite Technology LTD (SSTL) to supply PHM atomic clocks for all 14 Galileo FOC (full operational capability) satellites. The PHM-Passive Hydrogen Maser- clock is the most stable for space applications and has been tested successfully in GIOVE-B.

www.selex-sas.com

European Satellite Navigation Competition 2010

The seventh edition of the European Satellite Navigation Competition has ended with a great variety of innovative ideas. The previous record of inventive suggestions and participating countries has been remarkably exceeded: this year 357 progressive ideas came from no less than 44 countries. The ideas will now be evaluated by experts from all over the world and the winners will be awarded in October.

www.galileo-masters.eu