Astrium has been selected by the European Space Agency and the European Union as prime contractor for the Galileo Full Operational Capability Ground Control Segment. The contract value is 73.5 million euros. The Ground Control Segment (GCS) contract covers the provision of GCS facilities for the operation of the constellation of Europe’s global navigation satellite system. The contract, which will be led by an Astrium team out of the UK, covers the provision of a new facility at Fucino (Italy) and the expansion of the existing Ground Control Centre at Oberpfaffenhofen (Germany). The deployment also includes the provision of a temporary GCS back-up facility at the Fucino Galileo Control Centre for the four In-Orbit Validation satellites, and the provision of two further Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TTC) stations on Reunion and Noumea. Astrium’s unique expertise in ground systems has enabled them to be selected for all phases of the Galileo GCS development and implementation. Astrium was responsible for the development, installation and test of the GCS for the Galileo demonstrator GIOVE-B, launched in April 2008 and which is still successfully operating in-orbit.

Galileo ‘can deploy 24 satellites with existing funding’: European Commission (EC) Vice President Antonio Tajani has announced that sufficient savings have been found in Europe’s Galileo sat-nav project for at least six additional spacecraft to be bought for the system before 2014.The EC says it has about 500m euros (£440m) “in its pocket” which it will use to make the extra purchase. It would take Europe’s version of GPS from 18 operational satellites in the next few years to 24.

Galileo prepares for October launch:
The European Space Agency (ESA), Arianespace and the European Commission announced that the first two satellites of Europe’s global navigation satellite system, Galileo, will be launched on October 20, 2011. This will be the first of a series of Galileo satellite launches by Arianespace from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

European satnav competition opens for entries
The eighth European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) is now open for innovative ideas in the field of satellite navigation. Deadline for companies, entrepreneurs, research institutes, universities and individuals from all over the world, to submit their ideas is June 30, 2011. One can submit entries online at http://www.galileo-masters.eu. ESA

EU aims to curb Galileo costs: The EU Commission isn’t willing to accept further costs increases for the Galileo satellite navigation system, German daily Handelsblatt reported, citing industry commissioner Antonio Tajani. “On the contrary, the estimated additional costs for the time after 2014 must decrease,” Tajani told

Galileo test environment open for business
The Galileo Test and Development Environment (GATE) in Berchtesgaden, Germany, officially opened on February 4. The system operator, IFEN GmbH of Poing, Germany, jointly with the German Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Urban Development, announced the opening for use by commercial and organizational entities seeking to test equipment with the coming Galileo signals. GATE was developed on behalf of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) with funding by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. The test area extends across a valley of approximately 65 square kilometers, south-east of Munich, where antennae atop surrounding peaks broadcast the various Galileo signals. Technical details and specifications of the test environment are at www.gate-testbed.com.

Wikileaks syndrome affects Galileo project
Berry Smutny, CEO of OHB-System, has lost his job because of Wikileaks. He was reported in a Wikileaks’ cable to have told US diplomats that Europe’s Galileo satellite-navigation project was a “stupid idea”. Although Smutny has denied the cable’s contents, OHB’s board has decided to remove him from his post.

Galileo Control Centre in Italy starts operation
Prague to be Galileo’s headquarters
All hands on deck for European space push

INDUSTRY | LBS | GPS | GIS | REMOTE SENSING | GALILEO UPDATE

Contract signing gives Galileo system its operators
ESA signed a contract with Spaceopal, the company providing ground-based services
needed to operate the Galileo constellation once it has been fully deployed. The
agreement was signed by Rene Oosterlinck, ESA’s Director of the Galileo Programme
and Navigation-related activities, …

INDUSTRY | LBS | GPS | GIS | REMOTE SENSING | GALILEO UPDATE

Norway signs Galileo agreement with Commission
Norway and the European Commission have signed a cooperation agreement on satellite navigation. Norway is an important participant in the Galileo programme: Norwegian industry is involved since the beginning of the programme, two important ground stations are …