ESA Navigation

Satnav loss might shut down sea, warns ESA-backed study

Satellite navigation is precise, reliable and available continuously around the globe, but overreliance on it presents a clear and present danger to the smooth passage of maritime trade, concludes a major ESA-backed study.

Driverless cars take safety lead from aircraft

With more than nine tenths of driving deaths linked to human error, the coming wave of autonomous vehicles could potentially save many lives, as well as slashing congestion and pollution levels. An ESA-backed project in the UK borrowed a key operating concept from aviation to bring the safety of driverless cars closer to that of flying – statistically the safest form of transport.

Driverless cars take safety lead from aircraft

With more than nine tenths of driving deaths linked to human error, the coming wave of autonomous vehicles could potentially save many lives – as well as slashing congestion and pollution levels. An ESA-backed project in the UK borrowed a key operating concept from aviation to bring the safety of driverless cars closer to that of flying – statistically the safest form of transport.

Galileo next-gen satellites on the horizon

With 26 satellites now in orbit and over 1.5 billion smartphones and devices worldwide receiving highly accurate navigation signals, Europe’s Galileo navigation system will soon become even better, ensuring quality services over the next decades. 

Meet the Experts: Satellite Navigation

Satellite navigation is a big part of our daily lives. How do our phones and cars know where to go? Nicola de Quattro, head of engineering and innovation at Vitrociset Belgium, explains how sat nav works along with its present and future applications in this episode of Meet The Experts. Find more episodes in the series here.

Meet the Experts: Satellite Navigation

Satellite navigation is a big part of our daily lives. How do our phones and cars know where to go? Nicola de Quattro, head of engineering and innovation at Vitrociset Belgium, explains how sat nav works along with its present and future applications in this episode of Meet The Experts. Find more episodes in the series here.

GIDAS: Real-time interference detection making satnav safer

A new monitoring system developed through an ESA-backed project works like a ‘bodyguard’ for satellite navigation in use at strategic or safety-critical sites. Known as GIDAS, the scalable system immediately detects, identifies and pinpoints satnav interference sources in its vicinity.

Who’s ready to serve the lunar missions?

ESA has long-established plans to create a commercial lunar satellite network and now seeks expressions of interest from companies prepared to build and operate it.

Galileo positioning aiding COVID-19 reaction

As European governments plan their phased recoveries from the lockdown states triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the positioning delivered through satellite navigation is becoming more important than ever before. Location is a key requirement when attempting to monitor and map the spread of a disease and satnav is one of the main tools supporting this.

Galileo positioning aiding Covid-19 reaction

As European governments plan their phased recoveries from the lockdown states triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the positioning delivered through satellite navigation is becoming more important than ever before. Location is a key requirement when attempting to monitor and map the spread of a disease and satnav is one of the main tools supporting this.

Galileo positioning aiding COVID-19 reaction

As European governments plan their phased recoveries from the lockdown states triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the positioning delivered through satellite navigation is becoming more important than ever before. Location is a key requirement when attempting to monitor and map the spread of a disease and satnav is one of the main tools supporting this.

Steering drones for power generation

Steering drones for power generation

ESA’s Navigation Directorate supporting EGNOS and Galileo services continuity

In response to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, ESA’s Directorate of Navigation has shifted to teleworking while also ensuring the continuity of essential tasks, in particular the continued delivery of positioning, navigation, and timing services of the European satellite navigation system Galileo and the augmentation system EGNOS.

ESA’s Navigation Directorate supporting EGNOS and Galileo services continuity

In response to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, ESA’s Directorate of Navigation has shifted to teleworking while also ensuring the continuity of essential tasks, in particular the continued delivery of positioning, navigation, and timing services of the European satellite navigation system Galileo and the augmentation system EGNOS.

Augmented satnav teams work together for safer flying

All satellite navigation is not created equal. Airliners and other safety-critical classes of users employ ‘augmented’ satnav signals, which possess additional precision plus ongoing reliability guarantees. These signals are generated by regional systems based around the globe. The teams responsible for them met recently at Delhi in India to coordinate their future development.

Augmented satnav teams work together for safer flying

All satellite navigation is not created equal. Airliners and other safety-critical classes of users employ ‘augmented’ satnav signals, which possess additional precision plus ongoing reliability guarantees. These signals are generated by regional systems based around the globe. The teams responsible for them met recently at Delhi in India to coordinate their future development.

Europe and US look to future of positioning

ESA’s NAVISP programme is helping invent the future of positioning, navigation and timing beyond current satellite navigation technology. The Agency’s NAVISP Industry Days welcomed a guest speaker from the US government, sharing details of a parallel effort she is overseeing from the other side of the Atlantic.

Europe and US look to future of positioning

ESA’s NAVISP programme is helping invent the future of positioning, navigation and timing beyond current satellite navigation technology. The Agency’s NAVISP Industry Days welcomed a guest speaker from the US government, sharing details of a parallel effort she is overseeing from the other side of the Atlantic.

NAVISP Industry Days: navigation solutions beyond satellites

More than 120 representatives of companies and research institutions across Europe met at ESA’s NAVISP Industry Days, discussing dozens of projects being supported by the Agency’s newest programme, fostering innovation and competitiveness across the European positioning, navigation and timing sector.

NAVISP Industry Days: navigation solutions beyond satellites

More than 120 representatives of companies and research institutions across Europe met at ESA’s NAVISP Industry Days, discussing dozens of projects being supported by the Agency’s newest programme, fostering innovation and competitiveness across the European positioning, navigation and timing sector.

Galileo now replying to SOS messages worldwide

As well as providing global navigation services, Europe’s Galileo satellite constellation is contributing to saving more than 2000 lives annually by relaying SOS messages to first responders. And from now on the satellites will reply to these messages, assuring people in danger that help is on the way.

Galileo now replying to SOS messages worldwide

As well as providing global navigation services, Europe’s Galileo satellite constellation is acontributing to saving more than 2000 lives annually by relaying SOS messages to first responders. And from now on the satellites will reply to these messages, assuring people in danger that help is on the way.

Galileo now replying to SOS messages worldwide

As well as providing global navigation services, Europe’s Galileo satellite constellation is contributing to saving more than 2000 lives annually by relaying SOS messages to first responders. And from now on the satellites will reply to these messages, assuring people in danger that help is on the way.

CubeSat finds its way in space with Galileo receiver

A miniature CubeSat has become the first satellite to perform Galileo-based position fixes in orbit using a commercial satnav receiver.

From airport approaches to eCall in cars – 10 years of EGNOS

The Galileo satellite navigation system has been providing Initial Services for three years now. Meanwhile Europe’s other satnav system has marked its tenth anniversary: EGNOS has been delivering enhanced positioning to users across our continent, including safety-critical services such as aircraft landings for a growing number of European airports.

Satnav watching over rugby players

As France’s top rugby players scrum, run and tackle they are being tracked by more than just TV cameras and the watching eyes of the crowd. Satnav-based tracking devices between their shoulder blades are keeping tabs on their position and performance – and helping to safeguard their health.

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

The ability to know where you are and where you’re going is central to today’s society, and will only grow more crucial in future. ESA’s NAVISP R&D programme is building on Europe’s technical accomplishments to develop new future positioning, navigation and timing technologies and services – its annual Industry Days next January will give a snapshot of the programme’s progress.

Call for Media: Last glimpse of the Sentinel-6 satellite

Satnav in the landscape harnessed for global error mapping

There are at the moment more than five billion satnav devices on Earth. Along with smartphones and mobile receivers, this figure includes networks of fixed receiver stations, used to boost service accuracy. A new ESA-led project will harness these networks to provide an ongoing overview of satnav performance from the global to national to regional scale.

Satnav in the landscape harnessed for global error mapping

There are more than five billion satnav devices on Earth. Along with smartphones and mobile receivers, this figure includes networks of fixed receiver stations, used to improve accuracy. An ESA-led project will harness these networks to provide an ongoing overview of satnav performance from the global to national and regional scale.

Volunteer ‘saved’ from North Sea in live Galileo rescue test

Europe’s Galileo constellation is doing more than providing global navigation services, it is also saving lives. As a real life demonstration of Galileo’s search and rescue capability, a volunteer was cast away in a lifeboat off the Belgian coast, then activated an emergency beacon for rescue.

Volunteer ‘saved’ from North Sea in live Galileo rescue test

Europe’s Galileo constellation is doing more than providing global navigation services, it is also saving lives. As a real life demonstration of Galileo’s search and rescue capability, a volunteer was cast away in a lifeboat off the Belgian coast, then activated an emergency beacon for rescue.

Volunteer ‘saved’ from North Sea in live Galileo rescue test

Europe’s Galileo constellation is doing more than providing global navigation services, it is also saving lives. As a real life demonstration of Galileo’s search and rescue capability, a volunteer was cast away in a lifeboat off the Belgian coast, then activated an emergency beacon for rescue.

Volunteer ‘saved’ from North Sea in live Galileo rescue test

Europe’s Galileo constellation is doing more than providing global navigation services, it is also saving lives. As a real life demonstration of Galileo’s search and rescue capability, a volunteer was cast away in a lifeboat off the Belgian coast, then activated an emergency beacon for rescue.

ESA leads drive into our 5G positioning future

A pair of testbed vehicles went out on the road in Germany to simulate the way we are all likely to be using 5G positioning services in the future. The field test focused on assessing the performance of highly-precise ‘hybrid’ satellite/terrestrial positioning for autonomous vehicles, drones, smart cities and the Internet of Things.

ESA leads drive into our 5G positioning future

A pair of testbed vehicles went out on the road in Germany to simulate the way we are all likely to be using 5G positioning services in the future. The field test focused on assessing the performance of highly-precise ‘hybrid’ satellite/terrestrial positioning for autonomous vehicles, drones, smart cities and the Internet of Things.

ESA leads drive into our 5G positioning future

A pair of testbed vehicles went out on the road in Germany to simulate the way we are all likely to be using 5G positioning services in the future. The field test focused on assessing the performance of highly-precise ‘hybrid’ satellite/terrestrial positioning for autonomous vehicles, drones, smart cities and the Internet of Things.

ESA leads drive into our 5G positioning future

A pair of testbed vehicles went out on the road in Germany to simulate the way we are all likely to be using 5G positioning services in the future. The field test focused on assessing the performance of highly-precise ‘hybrid’ satellite/terrestrial positioning for autonomous vehicles, drones, smart cities and the Internet of Things.

Operation Shark Bait

Operation Shark Bait

Operation Shark Bait

Operation Shark Bait

New European Space Agency mission will add to climate knowledge

New maps of Earth from reflected satnav, invented at ESA

Your phone or satnav receiver routinely picks up signals from navigation satellites in order to tell you precisely where you are. But have you ever thought what happens to those satnav signals afterwards? A foresighted ESA inventor had the idea of using them as a tool for observing the Earth.

New maps of Earth from reflected satnav, invented at ESA

Your phone or satnav receiver routinely picks up signals from navigation satellites in order to tell you precisely where you are. But have you ever thought what happens to those satnav signals afterwards? A foresighted ESA inventor had the idea of using them as a tool for observing the Earth.

New maps of Earth from reflected satnav, invented at ESA

Your phone or satnav receiver routinely picks up signals from navigation satellites in order to tell you precisely where you are. But have you ever thought what happens to those satnav signals afterwards? A foresighted ESA inventor had the idea of using them as a tool for observing the Earth.

New maps of Earth from reflected satnav, invented at ESA

Your phone or satnav receiver routinely picks up signals from navigation satellites in order to tell you precisely where you are. But have you ever thought what happens to those satnav signals afterwards? A foresighted ESA inventor had the idea of using them as a tool for observing the Earth.

Vega flight VV15: findings of the Independent Inquiry Commission’s investigations

Galileo paper model

Galileo paper model

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.

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.

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.

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.

Vega Flight VV15 failure: Arianespace and ESA appoint an independent inquiry commission

Galileo making its mark

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst returns to Earth – for the second time

Galileo over Africa

Galileo over Africa

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

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 replay part 1

Galileo liftoff replay

Galileo liftoff replay

Galileos at launch site

Galileo’s next step

Galileo’s next step

Watch Galileo launch

Watch Galileo launch