zprávy

Today, during the 9th EUSPA Administrative Board, Member State Representatives extended the mandate of Mr. Kobera and Codosero Bolaños for another two years.

Mr. Kobera is a Czech national with vast experience in space-related activities and, more concretely, satellite navigation. He has held several managerial positions in the public sector, namely, at the Czech Ministry of Transport.

Mr. Codosero Bolaños is a Spanish national and aeronautical engineer specialized in jet engines with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors in areas related to aviation and aerospace.

"I am honored to have received the support of my fellow AB colleagues for a second time," says Kobera.

"In 2021, we set concrete goals, prepared and successfully implemented the EUSPA Administrative Board Action Plan. There are still many challenges in front of us. EUSPA is also becoming instrumental to the New Space Economy and with an increase in staff and responsibilities, it has to be ready to absorb new tasks. In my capacity as Chair of the Board, and by working together with the European Commission, the Member States, the European Space Agency, and other EU Space Programme’s partners, I will do my best to further support the programme’s implementation," he concludes.

"I am honored to have been re-elected by my peers as Deputy Chair for the EUSPA AB. I will continue to support EUSPA and my colleagues of the Board and will continue to strive to foster greater collaboration and involvement among and with the Member States, so that we can maximize the benefits and outcomes of this crucial programme." adds Codosero Bolaños.

"I would like to congratulate both Vaclav Kobera and Juan Manuel Codosero Bolaños on their re-election. As we move forward, I am eager to continue the collaboration with them once again towards our shared goal of strengthening the presence of EU space data and services in all sectors of our society," highlights EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa.

The EUSPA Administrative Board consists of representatives from each EU Member State, the European Commission and the European parliament. The Board meets at least twice a year to take various decisions (budget, work programme, etc.) and ensure that the Agency performs its entrusted tasks according to regulation.

Read this: EU Space key to enabling a harmonised drone ecosystem

EUSPA works closely with Member States via workshops organised to communicate the benefits of the EU Space Programme and to transfer space market intelligence and know-how to various domains of the economy and society. In this spirit, and taking stock from the EU Space for Green Transformation Report, the agency is hosting a workshop on how space data and services can help the private sector go greener.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

Today, during the 9th EUSPA Administrative Board, Member State Representatives extended the mandate of Mr. Kobera and Codosero Bolaños for another two years.

Mr. Kobera is a Czech national with vast experience in space-related activities and, more concretely, satellite navigation. He has held several managerial positions in the public sector, namely, at the Czech Ministry of Transport.

Mr. Codosero Bolaños is a Spanish national and aeronautical engineer specialized in jet engines with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors in areas related to aviation and aerospace.

"I am honored to have received the support of my fellow AB colleagues for a second time," says Kobera.

"In 2021, we set concrete goals, prepared and successfully implemented the EUSPA Administrative Board Action Plan. There are still many challenges in front of us. EUSPA is also becoming instrumental to the New Space Economy and with an increase in staff and responsibilities, it has to be ready to absorb new tasks. In my capacity as Chair of the Board, and by working together with the European Commission, the Member States, the European Space Agency, and other EU Space Programme’s partners, I will do my best to further support the programme’s implementation," he concludes.

"I am honored to have been re-elected by my peers as Deputy Chair for the EUSPA AB. I will continue to support EUSPA and my colleagues of the Board and will continue to strive to foster greater collaboration and involvement among and with the Member States, so that we can maximize the benefits and outcomes of this crucial programme." adds Codosero Bolaños.

"I would like to congratulate both Vaclav Kobera and Juan Manuel Codosero Bolaños on their re-election. As we move forward, I am eager to continue the collaboration with them once again towards our shared goal of strengthening the presence of EU space data and services in all sectors of our society," highlights EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa.

The EUSPA Administrative Board consists of representatives from each EU Member State, the European Commission and the European parliament. The Board meets at least twice a year to take various decisions (budget, work programme, etc.) and ensure that the Agency performs its entrusted tasks according to regulation.

Read this: EU Space key to enabling a harmonised drone ecosystem

EUSPA works closely with Member States via workshops organised to communicate the benefits of the EU Space Programme and to transfer space market intelligence and know-how to various domains of the economy and society. In this spirit, and taking stock from the EU Space for Green Transformation Report, the agency is hosting a workshop on how space data and services can help the private sector go greener.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

In late 2019, the European Commission presented the European Green Deal, a pact that sets out the path for the Union to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 while ensuring sustainable economic growth and a just and inclusive transition for citizens and businesses. While achieving these goals is an uphill battle, looking up into space can definitely ease the climb.  

"The EU Space Programme is an opportunity to rethink the way we do business today" says, EUSPA Executive Director, Rodrigo da Costa. "European industry, entrepreneurs, and user communities can rely on Earth observation, GNSS services and soon secured telecommunications to create smart solutions and serve new markets, fully aligned with the EU sustainability goals", he continues. 

The green transformation of companies

While EU Space and the data and services it provides are important assets to supporting the implementation of the Green Deal, businesses stand to benefit too. For example, Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS supply the information companies need to monitor environmental indicators, reduce their environmental impact, become more sustainable and drive the green transformation. 

Deforestation free supply chains

EU Space can prevent illegal logging – a major cause of deforestation. By flagging potential development and road construction happening within forests, Copernicus data helps authorities look for illegal activity and predict where such activity is most likely to occur. Authorities also use GNSS to track timber movements, which increases the transparency and traceability of the timber supply chain, reducing the likelihood that illegal exportation goes unnoticed.

Sustainable urban mobility

Space technology plays an important role in building sustainable urban transport networks. Not only can the use of EU Space reduce mobility-related emissions, it can help city planners build smarter, more efficient public transport systems. For instance, in Prague, trams are being equipped with Galileo-enabled satellite receivers to benefit from more precise localisation – opening the door to optimised journeys.

Go-to-areas for renewable energy

Choosing the right location for renewable energy infrastructure is a key prerequisite to efficient energy production. EU Space data makes finding the optimal site easier. Using information gathered from Copernicus’ satellites and atmospheric models, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service produces global irradiation models that the renewable energy sector can use to make informed decisions on where to best place solar panels. Considering Copernicus’ ability to monitor wind and marine currents, similar applications can be used to optimise the location of wind turbines and tidal power generation plants. 

An all-inclusive report by EUSPA

With climate change being one of the biggest challenges facing society today, industry is looking for new tools to help reduce their environmental impact and guide their sustainability journey. 

To help companies utilise this data as a means of driving their own sustainability journeys, EUSPA has compiled the first #EUSpace for the Green Transformation report. In the following pages, we introduce the Green Deal, its implications for companies and, most importantly, how the EU Space Programme can help businesses become more sustainable.

Want to know more about the EU Space Programme can make your industry greener?

Get your free copy of the report here

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

Our commitment to serving the civil aviation industry remains steadfast, and we are thrilled to announce the recent adoption of international standards for Galileo and future Satellite Based Augmentation Systems by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This marks a major milestone in the aviation industry, as it enables us to fully leverage the potential of satellite navigation services developed in Europe in combination with GPS.

The Galileo constellation, the European Union's global navigation satellite system, will provide advanced navigation capabilities to the aviation sector, greatly improving the availability and reliability of services. With a more accurate and secure signal for positioning and timing, the risk of signal loss or interference will be significantly reduced. Additionally, the use of multiple frequency bands will enhance signal resilience, making the system more robust and reliable.

Furthermore, the evolution to EGNOS v3 will augment Galileo and enable the use of its dual-frequency bands (E1 and E5 protected for Aviation use) in combination with GPS, further enhancing vertical guidance to enable Precision approach and landing capabilities for all equipped aircraft across Europe. This will provide greater safety and reliability to the aviation industry, not only in Europe but also in other regions beyond the continent.

The adoption of these international standards is the result of the long-standing work of the European Commission DG DEFIS, in partnership with EUSPA, DG-MOVE, EASA and ESA. This collaboration has played a critical role in bringing Galileo and EGNOS to the forefront of the aviation industry.

In conclusion, this adoption of international standards represents a significant step towards achieving the next level of navigation capabilities in the aviation sector, making air travel safer, more efficient, and more reliable. “We are confident that the aviation industry will benefit greatly from this development, and we remain dedicated to serving our civil aviation customers,” concluded Jean-Marc Piéplu, EUSPA EGNOS Exploitation Programme Manager.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

Our commitment to serving the civil aviation industry remains steadfast, and we are thrilled to announce the recent adoption of international standards for Galileo and future Satellite Based Augmentation Systems by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This marks a major milestone in the aviation industry, as it enables us to fully leverage the potential of satellite navigation services developed in Europe in combination with GPS.

The Galileo constellation, the European Union's global navigation satellite system, will provide advanced navigation capabilities to the aviation sector, greatly improving the availability and reliability of services. With a more accurate and secure signal for positioning and timing, the risk of signal loss or interference will be significantly reduced. Additionally, the use of multiple frequency bands will enhance signal resilience, making the system more robust and reliable.

Furthermore, the evolution to EGNOS v3 will augment Galileo and enable the use of its dual-frequency bands (E1 and E5 protected for Aviation use) in combination with GPS, further enhancing vertical guidance to enable Precision approach and landing capabilities for all equipped aircraft across Europe. This will provide greater safety and reliability to the aviation industry, not only in Europe but also in other regions beyond the continent.

The adoption of these international standards is the result of the long-standing work of the European Commission DG DEFIS, in partnership with EUSPA, DG-MOVE, EASA, ESA and in coordination with the EU Member States and their ANSPs. This collaboration has played a critical role in bringing Galileo and EGNOS to the forefront of the aviation industry.

In conclusion, this adoption of international standards represents a significant step towards achieving the next level of navigation capabilities in the aviation sector, making air travel safer, more efficient, and more reliable. “We are confident that the aviation industry will benefit greatly from this development, and we remain dedicated to serving our civil aviation customers,” concluded Jean-Marc Piéplu, EUSPA EGNOS Exploitation Programme Manager.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

As we recognise World Meteorological Day today, the World Meteorological Organisation asks that we take a moment to consider the future of weather, climate and water across generations. 

According to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the future is expected to be even hotter and characterized by more extreme weather events. This prediction is supported by the latest UN report, published earlier this week, which confirmed that the global surface temperature has risen by 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900).

C3S, like other Copernicus services, utilizes a vast amount of satellite and in situ data, which it analyzes to generate valuable insights into climate change. For instance, it predicts the frequency and severity of heatwaves that are expected to occur in the coming decades. Such data is essential for both adaptation and mitigation measures, as decision-makers need to be informed to take appropriate climate action.

EU Space and Copernicus, in particular, play a crucial role in supporting society, climate researchers, and policymakers by providing authoritative information about the historical, current, and future climate in Europe and the world. The availability of operationally-produced high-quality data is essential for making informed decisions on climate action.

Local authorities and NGOs can use this information to be more proactive to disasters. Predefined early interventions before a disaster takes place, can save human lives and reduce costs compared to performing only post-event interventions. During a recent EUSPA-hosted workshop on Anticipatory Humanitarian Action various stakeholders shared how they are already using Copernicus data and services to anticipate the impact of weather-related disasters, including severe droughts, heatwaves and floods. 

As highlighted by Josée Poirer, Senior Data Scientist Consultant in the Centre for Humanitarian Data of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): “In addition to anticipating the impact of disasters, Earth Observation-derived data, like the ones coming from Copernicus, can assist in the prioritisation of actions for a more targeted and efficient response”.

Space-based solutions to weather-related risks

In addition to hosting informative workshops and webinars, EUSPA also supports companies and projects developing space-based solutions to weather-related risks. It does this primarily through Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation funding programme.

One of those projects is MAGDA, which is leveraging GNSS (including Galileo) and drones to provide the agricultural sector with precise atmosphere monitoring. 

“Climate change is expected to produce an increase in severe weather events like torrential rain, heat and cold waves, as well as weather conditions that favour agricultural pests and diseases,” says MAGDA project coordinator Eugenio Realini. “This project aims to improve site-specific weather forecasts as well as irrigation advisories, both of which will proactively contribute to protecting crops from severe weather.”.

As Realini explains, the project will exploit the potential of GNSS-, drone- and Copernicus-derived data sets to improve the prediction of severe weather events and weather-driven agriculture pests and diseases. These same weather forecasts can be used to drive a hydrological model for irrigation performance and water accounting.

Resiliency to a changing climate 

The World Meteorological Organisation was first founded 150 years ago, when pollution from industrial and human activities was just starting. Since then, the average global temperature has increased by more than 1° Celsius. 

While this increase is causing our weather to become more extreme, the good news is that technology like the EU Space Programme, along with scientific advances such as those being funded by EUSPA, have significantly improved the accuracy of weather forecasts and life-saving early warnings. 

“With climate change, the future of our weather, climate, and water cycle is set to change significantly. However, through the valuable data and services offered by the EU Space Programme, we have gained a deeper understanding of the potential changes we might face, enabling us to take proactive measures to prepare for the future. As we continue to monitor and assess the impacts of climate change on our planet, the information provided by the EU Space Programme will play a crucial role in developing effective strategies to mitigate the effects of this global phenomenon," concludes da Costa

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).