Galileo Update

Europe signals new way forward for Galileo satellite navigation

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

The Commission proposes to earmark €7 billion 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.

www.airtrafficmanagement.net

Galileo satellites well into early orbit preparation phase

The first two Galileo satellites launched on 21 October are well into their early orbit preparation phase, spearheading the deployment of a global navigation satellite system essential to the success of the more advanced stages of the Single European Sky.

The two satellites and the complex ground support network integral to their operation are now entering the system’s first validation phase, known as Galileo in-orbit validation (GIOVE). During this first phase, two more Galileo satellites will be launched in mid- 2012 to join the two experimental satellites – GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B – in orbit.

The IOV is the first step in a staggered process leading to full operational capability, planned for 2019, when the complete 30-satellite constellation and a set of remote terrestrial stations distributed worldwide will start to deliver super-accurate navigation and timing coordination services to both aviation and surface users.
www.flightglobal.com

Taiwan wins European Satellite Navigation Competition and ushers in new era of telematics industry

The European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) 2011 announced on November 18 the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) was the champion for the GNSS Living Lab Award for its creative Geo-coupon Application. A total of 23 countries have participated hosting different regional preliminaries of the creative contest for satellite positioning applications initiated by the European Union. Under guidance of the Department of Industrial Technology of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) for innovation award and prototyping award, ITRI joined and became one of the hosting nations. This year, ITRI strove to host with the topic of “connected vehicle” and solicited entries around the world and the number of teams applied and entries received topped other regional contests.

www.marketwatch.com