Galileo Update

SciSys wins satellite project contract

SciSys, the specialist supplier of bespoke software systems, IT based solutions and support services, has been awarded a contract to support the Full Operational Capability (FOC) Phase of Europe’s Galileo System. This was achieved after successful completion of the European Union (EU) competitive dialogue process and final negotiations with Astrium UK as the prime contractor for the Galileo Ground Control Segment. The SciSys baseline contract is worth around €2m and will run until the end of 2013, with an optional maintenance extension into 2014.
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EP backs Commission on more secure Galileo services

The European Parliament approved the Commission’s proposal on the Public Regulated Service (PRS) access rules for Galileo, Europe’s global navigation satellite system. This special service will protect the functioning of management of critical transport and emergency services, police work and border control, as well as of peace missions via its highly robust encrypted signals. These enhanced signals protect the services against threats, such as “spoofing” that can distort signals guiding a car or a ship, and provide inaccurate positioning to e.g. a police car or an ambulance. PRS are valuable in crisis situations where it is essential that emergency and security services continue to function.
http://ec.europa.eu

Thales Alenia Spaceships first two Galileo satellites to launch site

Thales Alenia Space has shipped the first two flight model of a Galileo navigation satellite to Europe’s launch base in French Guiana. There they will undergo a final test campaign prior to a launch by Arianespace. Liftoff, on a Soyuz vehicle, is scheduled on October 20 with both satellites. The satellite rolled out, together with the first one shipped last week, is part of a batch of four designed and built by Astrium Satellites, the industrial prime contractor of the space segment, under contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the In-Orbit Validation (IOV) phase. IOV will demonstrate the capabilities of the Galileo system prior to the deployment of the full constellation which is planned to reach 30 satellites in its final configuration. In addition to providing key equipments for the navigation payload and platform, Thales Alenia Space is in charge of the assembly, integration and test (AIT) phase of the four satellites. The second pair of IOV satellites will be launched by 2012.
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