ESA Navigation

Satnav serving aircraft safely, thanks to augmentation systems

Satellite navigation is useful in the air as well as on the land and sea. But stringent safety requirements mean the signals from space need to be supplemented using an additional system to be usable by the aviation sector. An international group of experts meets regularly to ensure such regional augmentation systems work together on a seamless basis.

Galileo making its mark

Galileo making its mark

Galileo making its mark

Dual-frequency smartphone app winners prove power of two

Europe’s students and young researchers were challenged to design a smartphone app to take advantage of Galileo’s dual-frequency signal. The winning entries should soon be available to the public.

Dual-frequency smartphone app winners prove power of two

Europe’s students and young researchers were challenged to design a smartphone app to take advantage of Galileo’s dual-frequency signals. The winning entries should soon be available to the public.

Dual-frequency smartphone app winners prove power of two

Europe’s students and young researchers were challenged to design a smartphone app to take advantage of Galileo’s dual-frequency signals. The winning entries should soon be available to the public.

Smartphones plus satnav for safer, smarter festivals

Summertime in Europe equals festivals: people gathered together for music and arts under an open sky. But the very popularity of these events can lead to problems. A new ESA-backed project makes use of smartphones – that essential festival accessory – to help reduce overcrowding, avoid overwhelmed facilities and keep friends together.

NAVISP projects target satnav interference

Satellite navigation has become a global utility, but one that is vulnerable to interference. ESA’s new NAVISP research and development programme is prioritising research into countering jamming and spoofing of satnav signals, with partner companies exploring varied approaches.

Adding satnav to turn power grids into smart systems

An ESA-backed project is harnessing satnav to insert an intelligent sense of place and time to power grids, to provide early warning of potentially dangerous electricity network failures.

Watch our Galileo smartphone app award and vote for your winner

On Thursday 18 April, you are cordially invited to view the final presentations of ESA’s second Galileo smartphone app competition – to develop an app capable of performing fixes using raw Galileo satnav measurements – as well as put your own vote in for your favourite.

ESA joins with business to invent the future of navigation

The only thing more remarkable than how all of us are walking around with space-grade navigation capability and atomic clock timing precision in our pockets is how much we take all of this for granted. Satellite navigation has changed our lives, triggering a quiet revolution in our society and economy.

ESA joins with business to invent the future of navigation

The only thing more remarkable than how all of us are walking around with space-grade navigation capability and atomic clock timing precision in our pockets is how much we take all of this for granted. Satellite navigation has changed our lives, triggering a quiet revolution in our society and economy.

Four new Galileos join Europe’s largest satellite constellation

The latest four Galileo satellites have been given the green light to begin working alongside the rest of Europe’s satellite navigation fleet, giving a further boost to worldwide Galileo service quality.

Four new Galileos join Europe’s largest satellite constellation

The latest four Galileo satellites have been given the green light to begin working alongside the rest of Europe’s satellite navigation fleet, giving a further boost to worldwide Galileo service quality.

Kite-blown Antarctic explorers make most southerly Galileo positioning fix

A kite-blown science expedition to the interior of Antarctica has made the most southerly positioning fixes yet made with Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system.

Kite-blown Antarctic explorers make most southerly Galileo positioning fix

A kite-blown science expedition to the interior of Antarctica has made the most southerly positioning fixes yet made with Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system.

NAVISP fostering technologies for Europe’s new age of navigation

At ESA, the field of navigation covers more than just Galileo and satnav-sharpening EGNOS. More than a hundred European experts attended the inaugural NAVISP workshop at ESA’s technical heart, to discuss current R&D on a huge range of navigation-related topics, from driverless boats to intelligent power lines.

NAVISP fostering technologies for Europe’s new age of navigation

At ESA, the field of navigation covers more than just Galileo and satnav-sharpening EGNOS. More than a hundred European experts attended the inaugural NAVISP workshop at ESA’s technical heart, to discuss current R&D on a huge range of navigation-related topics, from driverless boats to intelligent power lines.

NAVISP fostering technologies for Europe’s new age of navigation

At ESA, the field of navigation covers more than just Galileo and satnav-sharpening EGNOS. More than a hundred European experts attended the inaugural NAVISP workshop at ESA’s technical heart, to discuss current R&D on a huge range of navigation-related topics, from driverless boats to intelligent power lines.

ESA sets clock by distant spinning stars

ESA’s technical centre in the Netherlands has begun running a pulsar-based clock. The ‘PulChron’ system measures the passing of time using millisecond-frequency radio pulses from multiple fast-spinning neutron stars.

ESA sets clock by distant spinning stars

ESA’s technical centre in the Netherlands has begun running a pulsar-based clock. The ‘PulChron’ system measures the passing of time using millisecond-frequency radio pulses from multiple fast-spinning neutron stars.

Galileo set to grow with global system update

Having completed all necessary qualification testing, ESA has received the green light to upgrade the global infrastructure running Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system. The resulting migration, set to start in February 2019, will incorporate new elements into the world-spanning system and boost the robustness of Galileo services delivered from the 26 satellites in orbit.

Galileo set to grow with global system update

Having completed all necessary qualification testing, ESA has received the green light to upgrade the global infrastructure running Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system. The resulting migration, set to start in February 2019, will incorporate new elements into the world-spanning system and boost the robustness of Galileo services delivered from the 26 satellites in orbit.

Contracts signed to make Galileo more robust and secure

With 26 satellites in orbit and Initial Services available for two years, Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system continues to evolve. Its latest onward step came this week, with contracts signed with Thales Alenia Space to strengthen Galileo’s global ground segment.

Contracts signed to make Galileo more robust and secure

With 26 satellites in orbit and Initial Services available for two years, Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system continues to evolve. Its latest onward step came this week, with contracts signed with Thales Alenia Space to strengthen Galileo’s global ground segment.

Galileo over Africa

Galileo over Africa

Gaming with Galileo: new Android smartphone apps published

Use Europe’s satellite navigation system to seek treasure in virtual mazes or ‘see’ Galileos as they cross the sky above you: two new Android smartphone apps based on Galileo are now available for general download, the results of a competition by ESA trainees.

Galileo satellites prove Einstein's Relativity Theory to highest accuracy yet

Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system – already serving users globally – has now provided a historic service to the physics community worldwide, enabling the most accurate measurement ever made of how shifts in gravity alter the passing of time, a key element of Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity.

Join the future of navigation at ESA’s NAVISP Industry Days

With 26 Galileo satellites in orbit around Earth, delivering services to users worldwide, what comes next? The ESA programme generating exciting new ideas for navigation technology is hosting its first Industry Days at the Agency’s technical heart in the new year – and companies from ESA Member States are invited to attend.

HAPS – missions to the edge of space to watch over Earth

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) — an uncrewed airship, plane or balloon watching over Earth from the stratosphere. Operating like satellites but from closer to Earth, HAPS are the ‘missing link’ between drones flying close to Earth’s surface and satellites orbiting in space.

New ESA facility puts satnav at the service of science

Global satellite navigation systems are continuously bathing Earth in satnav signals. As well as helping in our daily lives, these signals are also tools for cutting-edge science. A new ESA facility, based at ESA’s astronomy centre near Madrid, is championing their use for everything from Earth monitoring to fundamental physics.

Contract signing to boost performance and security of Galileo services

Europe’s 26 navigation satellites in orbit are providing Galileo Initial Services – available to users around the globe since 2016 – and a new ESA contract signing means these services will be delivered on a more accurate basis and more securely than ever.

European students and researchers: compete in our new Galileo app competition

Students and research trainees across Europe are invited to take part in ESA’s new Galileo smartphone app competition – to develop an app capable of performing fixes using raw Galileo satnav measurements.

Run by ESA in collaboration with the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency – GSA – plus the European Commission with the support of Google, this Galileo app competition is open to all students from European universities and trainees in posts at European research and development organisations.

Android smartphone app connects you to Galileo

An app that lets your smartphone work directly with Galileo and check performance from raw satellite signal measurements is now available for download from the Google Play Store.

Galileo’s ground control segment contracted for upgrade

With Europe’s Galileo constellation in space now expanded to 26 navigation satellites – and Galileo Initial Services available to users worldwide – the infrastructure on the ground that controls them is undergoing a corresponding expansion.

Precision EGNOS satnav sparking quiet revolution in aircraft landings

If you’ve taken a flight in Europe recently, then the chances are growing that you’ve been a pioneer EGNOS user. Satellites in orbit would have guided your airliner’s descent, rather than signals beamed from the ground. You wouldn’t have felt any difference – except for possibly a smoother ride.

Galileo's road to space

New satellite launch extends Galileo’s global reach

Four more Galileo satellites were launched today by an Ariane 5. Their arrival in orbit brings the Galileo constellation to 26 satellites, extending the global coverage of the constellation. 

Galileo replay part 1

Galileo liftoff replay

Galileos at launch site

Galileo’s next step

Watch Galileo launch

Watch Galileo launch

Watch Galileo launch

Call for Media: Galileo 23-26 close to launch

The last four Galileo satellites of the second FOC (Full Operational Capability) batch are scheduled for launch on 25 July at 11:25 GMT (13:25 CEST, 08:25 local time) from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on an Ariane 5 rocket, designated Flight VA244 by Arianespace.

Galileo's fairing lowered

Europe’s next Galileo satellites in place atop Ariane 5

Europe’s next Galileo satellites have been put in place on top of the Ariane 5 launcher due to lift them from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on Wednesday 25 July.

Galileos in the sky

Galileos in place

Next four Galileo satellites fuelled for launch

Europe’s next four Galileo satellites have been fuelled for launch at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, in preparation for their launch on 25 July.

Next four Galileo satellites fuelled for launch

Europe’s next four Galileo satellites have been fuelled at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, in preparation for their launch on 25 July.

Combined orbital Galileo-GPS position fix achieved aboard ISS

Europe’s satellite navigation system Galileo is already in use worldwide, usable by itself or in combination with the US Global Positioning System (GPS). Now a combined Galileo–GPS positioning fix has been achieved in space – aboard the International Space Station – through an ESA–NASA collaboration.

ESA trainees compete in inaugural Galileo app contest

ESA challenged its young graduate and national trainees to develop a smartphone app to perform satnav fixes using only Galileo satellites. Three teams developed apps in their spare time, presenting their results to a jury of experts from ESA, the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency (GSA) and Google.

Galileo, inside out

Galileo, inside out

Next two Galileos plus launcher at Europe’s Spaceport for July launch

Galileo satellites 25 and 26 have landed at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, joining their two predecessors ahead of their 25 July launch by Ariane 5.

Watch Galileo app contest

United Nations satnav specialists tour ESA’s technical heart

Members of the United Nations technical group supporting global cooperation in satellite navigation toured ESA’s technical centre in the Netherlands, to see key facilities used to develop Europe’s Galileo system.

Unboxing Galileo

Satellite pair arrive for Galileo’s next rumble in the jungle

The next two satellites in Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system have arrived at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, ahead of their planned launch from the jungle space base in July.

Radio astronomers focus on ionosphere for sharper satellite navigation

Radio astronomers and satellite navigation engineers are focusing their attention on the same point of the sky, looking into methods of improving both satnav accuracy and radio astronomy.

Navigate through satnav with the ESA–JRC Summer School

This year’s ESA–Joint Research Centre International Summer School on Global Navigation Satellite Systems is taking place in July, in the spa resort of Loipersdorf, Austria.

The 10-day course will cover all aspects of satellite navigation, up to and including the development of a potential satnav-based business.

Participants will receive a full-spectrum overview of satellite navigation, starting from the theoretical basis of Global Navigation Satellite Systems, their signals and processing by receivers, and how the final ‘position–navigation–time’ solution is worked out. On the practical side, exercises will include receiving signals from Galileo and its fellow satnav systems.

World of Galileo

Galileo’s initial services have been running for more than 15 months now: signals from the satellites in space are routinely serving users all across the world. The functioning of Galileo is dependent on a global network of ground stations, its current extent shown in the map here.

European industry has its say on Galileo’s post-2020 future

With Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system is only one launch away from full global coverage,  representatives of European industry gathered at ESA’s centre in the Netherlands to discuss the transition towards the future Galileo Second Generation.

New technology version of EGNOS will harness Galileo for aviation

The next generation of Europe’s satellite navigation overlay service, EGNOS, will combine use of GPS and Galileo signals to improve accuracy and robustness of navigation for air traffic and other uses where lives are at stake.

Galileo liftoff replay

Galileo: 22 today

Galileo launch brings navigation network close to completion

Europe has four more Galileo navigation satellites in the sky following their launch on an Ariane 5 rocket. After today’s success, only one more launch remains before the Galileo constellation is complete and delivering global coverage.

Galileos in launch zone

Galileo satellites atop rocket for next Tuesday’s flight

Europe’s next four Galileo navigation satellites are in place atop their Ariane 5, ready to be launched next Tuesday.

Video: Galileos 19–22

Call for Media: Galileo 19–22 ready for launch

The next four Galileo satellites are scheduled for launch on 12 December at 18:36 GMT (19:36 CET, 15:36 local time) from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana atop an Ariane 5 rocket.

Galileos on dispenser

Galileos on dispenser

Crossing drones with satellites: ESA eyes high-altitude aerial platforms

ESA is considering extending its activities to a new region of the sky via a novel type of aerial vehicle, a ‘missing link’ between drones and satellites.

Galileo quartet fuelled and ready to fly

Europe’s next four Galileo navigation satellites and the Ariane 5 rocket due to lift them into orbit are being readied for their 12 December launch from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Galileo in place for launch: then there were four

Two more Galileo satellites have reached Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, joining the first pair of navigation satellites and the Ariane 5 rocket due to haul the quartet to orbit this December.

Galileo inside

Galileo pair arrives in French Guiana

Europe’s next two Galileo navigation satellites have touched down in Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana ahead of the launch of a quartet by Ariane 5 at the end of this year.

Galileos set to fly on Ariane 6

Four of the latest set of Galileo navigation satellites will be launched on Ariane 6 rockets – ESA’s first contract to use Europe’s new vehicle.

Galileos set to fly on Ariane 6

Four of the latest set of Galileo navigation satellites will be launched on Ariane 6 rockets – ESA’s first contract to use Europe’s new vehicle.

Last Galileo leaves ESA’s Test Centre

The last of 22 Galileo satellites has departed ESA’s Test Centre in the Netherlands – concluding the single longest and largest scale test campaign in the establishment’s history.

Testing Galileo

How each Galileo satellite is tested ahead of launch

Each Galileo satellite must go through a rigorous test campaign to assure its readiness for the violence of launch, airlessness and temperature extremes of Earth orbit.

Handover for team who put Galileo users on notice

After four years of work, the ESA team tasked with keeping the world informed on the status of the Galileo satellite navigation system has formally passed on its responsibility to a European Union agency.

Testing Galileo

Another eight Galileo satellites for Europe

Europe’s Galileo navigation constellation will gain an additional eight satellites, bringing it to completion, thanks to a contract signed today at the Paris Air and Space Show.

Galileo signal team wins European Inventor Award

The invisible signals that Europe’s Galileo satellites are beaming down to the world are officially award-winning: the team behind their design has won the European Inventor Award, run by the European Patent Office.

Learn how ESA is seeking out competitive innovation in navigation: join us at Le Bourget

ESA is seeking ideas for innovative future navigation concepts and products from European industry and academia – join us at the ESA pavilion at the Paris Air & Space Show on 19–20 June to talk with the team overseeing the new programme seeking to drive Europe’s state-of-the-art in finding one’s way.

Galileo grows: two more satellites join working constellation

Two further satellites have formally become part of Europe’s Galileo satnav system, broadcasting timing and navigation signals worldwide while also picking up distress calls across the planet.

Contract to bring EGNOS to next level

ESA has signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space for an upgrade of Europe’s EGNOS satellite navigation augmentation system, which underpins the safety-critical use of satnav across our continent.

Galileo Initial Services: first quarter service performance for users

Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system has undergone its first performance report since it started work at the end of last year – passing with flying colours.

Galileo signal team nominated for invention award

The engineering team behind the signal technology underpinning Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system has reached the final of this year’s European Inventor Award.

Galileo signal team nominated for invention award

The engineering team behind the signal technology underpinning Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system has reached the final of this year’s European Inventor Award, run by the European Patent Office.

Upgraded monitoring stations point way to better satnav-sharpening EGNOS

Upgrades to the monitoring stations underpinning Europe’s EGNOS satnav augmentation system will support its evolution.

Galileo’s search and rescue service in the spotlight

Europe’s Galileo satnav network does more than let us find our way – it is also helping to save lives. Today sees a spotlight cast on Galileo’s Search and Rescue service, which pinpoints people in distress on land or sea.

UK Galileo advocate receives honour

A leading authority and advocate of Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system has been named as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services to science.

Northern exposure for satnav summer school

This year’s ESA–Joint Research Centre International Summer School on Global Navigation Satellite Systems will be held in Longyearbyen, Svalbard-Spitsbergen, Norway, on 4–15 September, close to the world's northernmost Galileo station.

Galileo clock anomalies under investigation

As first reported last November, anomalies have been noted in the atomic clocks serving Europe’s Galileo satellites.

Galileo clock anomalies under investigation

As first reported last November, anomalies have been noted in the atomic clocks serving Europe’s Galileo satellites.

Anomalies have occurred on five out of 18 Galileo satellites in orbit, although all satellites continue to operate well and the provision of Galileo Initial Services has not been affected.

Father of GPS meets Europe’s Galileo team

Brad Parkinson, hailed as the father of GPS, has visited ESA’s technical heart to meet the team behind Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system.

Galileo: a new tool for science

Last week’s start of Galileo’s initial services is a boon not just for people worldwide but also the scientific community. A precise yardstick is now freely available to study Earth and everything on it, along with the laws of physics.

Galileo goes live

Galileo goes live

Galileo begins serving the globe

Europe’s own Galileo satellite navigation system has begun operating, with the satellites in space delivering positioning, navigation and timing information to users around the globe.

Watch Galileo launch

Watch Galileo launch

Watch Galileo launch

Watch Galileo launch

New Galileos join Europe’s satnav constellation

Galileo satellites 13 and 14 have begun transmitting navigation signals as fully operational members of Europe’s satnav constellation.

Galileo timelapse

Galileo timelapse

Green light for ESA’s advanced satnav technology and innovation programme

With Europe’s Galileo satnav constellation soon to provide initial services, ESA is looking further ahead: its next-stage navigation research programme received strong backing during last week’s Council at Ministerial level.

EGNOS team receive prestigious award

The multi-agency team behind the ESA-designed EGNOS augmentation system – making it possible for European aircraft to safely rely on satnav signals – has received a prestigious award from France’s national aerospace academy.

European EGNOS technology for South Korea

Technology developed as part of Europe’s satellite navigation-augmenting EGNOS system has been sold to South Korea to serve its national equivalent system.

Galileo teamwork

Galileos taking flight