Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
ESA’s Ariane 6 launch vehicle, on which the deployment of the EU’s Galileo GNSS satellite constellation now depends, has taken another step towards first flight. A fresh series of hot fire tests of the rocket’s upper stage and all-new Vinci engine is now underway at Germany’s DLR center for engine and stage testing in Lampoldshausen.
By Peter Gutierrez
The European Space Agency’s new navigation head, Francisco-Javier Benedicto Ruiz, has a lot to say about GNSS, both present and future. We recently spoke with him about his views on satellite navigation, signal vulnerability and authentication, and the agency’s working relationship, or not, with Russia. The technical team behind the Galileo authentication service and industry representatives developing alternative positioning, navigation and timing solutions also share insights.
By Peter Gutierrez
Speakers at the 14th European Space Conference in Brussels discussed the need to defend EU assets against unfriendly attacks. Recent events in Eastern Europe would seem to lend force to such concerns, as the European Union makes headway toward the intersection of civil infrastructure and security and defense.
By Peter Gutierrez
With the help of Galileo signals, first responders in the European Union (EU) will have more accurate location information when calls come into the 112-emergency number, leading to faster response times and ultimately saving lives.
By Inside GNSS
The Munich Satellite Navigation Summit has opened registration for what will for be a virtual conference addressing a wide range of international GNSS topics with international speakers, held online from March 7 to 8, 2022.
By Inside GNSS
oneNav announced the commercial availability of its pureL5 GNSS digital IP core, which directly acquire and track L5 signals from GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS and GLONASS without any L1 aiding.
By Inside GNSS
The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) has published its Earth Observation (EO) & GNSS Market Report, an outgrowth of its annual GNSS Market Report now that the agency has also taken on Earth observation among its administrative responsibilities. The Report is compiled and written for all those making these technologies part of their business plan and developing downstream applications.
By Inside GNSS
Arianespace recently announced it will launch a total of eight new Galileo satellites over the next few years.
The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) selected Arianespace to launch four new Galileo satellites for Europe’s satellite navigation system, according to a news release. This comes after the European Space Agency’s (ESA) order to launch four satellites last October and will complete the deployment of first-generation Galileo satellites.
By Inside GNSS
The latest version of the Galileo Open Service Definition Document (OS SDD), updated November 2021, describes upgrades enacted in the Galileo system since May 2019: improvements, current constellation status and updates in the ground infrastructure that increase its robustness. This is the last update foreseen before Galileo Open Service reaches Full Operational Capability (FOC).
By Inside GNSS
A Soyuz launcher operated by Arianespace and commissioned by ESA lifted off with the pair of 715 kg satellites from French Guiana on December 5. The two join 26 Galileo satellites in the orbiting constellation that now provide Initial Services.
By Inside GNSS
Europe’s first prototype satnav space vehicle, Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element A (GIOVE-A), was decommissioned on November 24 after 16 years of work in orbit. The 2005-launched mission secured Galileo’s radio frequencies for Europe and demonstrated key new space-based navigation hardware.
By Inside GNSS
Telespazio UK, a subsidiary of Telespazio of France and Italy, received a development contract from the European Space Agency (ESA) for a Next Generation Network Assisted Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Assurance (NG-NAPA) project.
By Inside GNSS
Viasat Inc., a global communications company, will acquire Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications services, in a transaction valued at $7.3 billion. Two of the four European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) broadcasting payloads, part of Europe’s GNSS, ride aboard Inmarsat satellites,
By Inside GNSS
