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On December 15th 2016 the Galileo Services were declared operational, marking a cornerstone in the field of satellite navigation for European citizens and worldwide. Since then, the EU Agency for the Space Programme has endeavored to increase the robustness of the system and services, enhance market adoption and offer new services to its users.

From the declaration of services, users worldwide from several domains have been reaping the benefits offered by European Union Galileo Programme. To celebrate its 5th anniversary, we want to share some Galileo milestones! 

1. Galileo Open Service performances rank 1 among all GNSS service providers worldwide

The Galileo state of the art Open Service (OS) is providing free of charge outstanding seamless performance to users worldwide, in terms of ranging, positioning and timing. The Open Service performance ranks first among all GNSS service providers. The improvement of the service remains a priority, with a stronger commitment to liaise with users with the publication of Notice Advisories to Galileo Users (NAGUs), with updates of the ground infrastructure and the current constellation. A new version of the Galileo Open Service Definition Document (OS SDD) will be published soon through the GSC web portal with better Minimum Performance Levels (MPLs) for signal and position availability. Stay Connected to read the new version!

2. SAR/Galileo service and rescue mission

Galileo supports the international Search And Rescue (SAR) satellite services. It is transmitting distress signals from SAR beacons,  operating to COSPAS-SARSAT standards,  and relaying through the Galileo specific Return-Link Service (RLS) the responses to those beacons equipped with Galileo receivers. The Return-Link Service unique and pioneering feature of Galileo was declared operational in January 2020.  The Galileo RLS allows people in distress to receive an automatic acknowledgement that their signal has been picked up by the first responders. Galileo’s contribution to the Medium Earth Orbit Satellites Search and Rescue System (MEOSAR) managed by the International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme translates into 2000 lives saved per year. For example, in November 2020, this SAR/Galileo “lifesaver” service provided in less than 3 minutes key information leading to the successful rescue of a sailor in distress during the Vendee Globe Yacht race.

3. New Galileo service differentiator: High Accuracy Service (HAS)

The first-ever broadcast of High Accuracy Service test signal occurred on 19 May 2021 thanks to Galileo. This service will provide high accuracy data, enabling sub-meter level positioning accuracy. The initial performances are promising. Galileo is dressing the scene for the year to come. 

4. Galileo getting in our daily lives and professional applications

Galileo is not only satellites and services: since 2016, Galileo entered quickly in our daily lives, in our cars, smartphones, drones and is enhancing many professional domains, such as maritime navigation, agriculture and geomatics.  EUSPA’s market and user-driven approach has led to this success, developing innovative applications and receivers involving the growing GNSS downstream industry and SMEs, consulting with users, and launching innovation challenges for new space entrepreneurs.  

As of today, more than 2.4 billion Galileo-enabled smartphones are sold worldwide. It is a stunning number considering that the first Galileo-enabled smartphone only hit the market in 2016. Since April 2018, all new car models in the European Union are equipped with eCall technology that includes Galileo. In the event of a serious accident, eCall automatically dials 112 - Europe's single emergency number – providing the accurate position of the crashed vehicle to help the first responders reach the site faster.

What is next for Galileo?

The Galileo system robustness is being continuously improved to ensure seamless, safe and secured service delivery 24/7 to users worldwide.

The Public Regulated Service (PRS) of Galileo is expected to reach Initial Operational Capability by the end of 2023.

EUSPA is currently working on delivering next-generation services based on Galileo’s precise signals, timing capabilities, and robust performance. 

Visit the GNSS Service Centre website www.gsc-europa.eu for all details on Galileo service performance

Undertaken by a European partnership, the European Commission manages Galileo, with EUSPA overseeing Galileo operations and service provision and ESA as the design authority overseeing its development, procuring satellites, and the ground segment.

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).

On December 15th 2016 the Galileo Services were declared operational, marking a cornerstone in the field of satellite navigation for European citizens and worldwide. Since then, the EU Agency for the Space Programme has endeavored to increase the robustness of the system and services, enhance market adoption and offer new services to its users.

From the declaration of services, users worldwide from several domains have been reaping the benefits offered by European Union Galileo Programme. To celebrate its 5th anniversary, we want to share some Galileo milestones! 

1. Galileo Open Service performances rank 1 among all GNSS service providers worldwide

The Galileo state of the art Open Service (OS) is providing free of charge outstanding seamless performance to users worldwide, in terms of ranging, positioning and timing. The Open Service performance ranks first among all GNSS service providers. The improvement of the service remains a priority, with a stronger commitment to liaise with users with the publication of Notice Advisories to Galileo Users (NAGUs), with updates of the ground infrastructure and the current constellation. A new version of the Galileo Open Service Definition Document (OS SDD) will be published soon through the GSC web portal with better Minimum Performance Levels (MPLs) for signal and position availability. Stay Connected to read the new version!

2. SAR/Galileo service and rescue mission

Galileo supports the international Search And Rescue (SAR) satellite services. It is transmitting distress signals from SAR beacons,  operating to COSPAS-SARSAT standards,  and relaying through the Galileo specific Return-Link Service (RLS) the responses to those beacons equipped with Galileo receivers. The Return-Link Service unique and pioneering feature of Galileo was declared operational in January 2020.  The Galileo RLS allows people in distress to receive an automatic acknowledgement that their signal has been picked up by the first responders. Galileo’s contribution to the Medium Earth Orbit Satellites Search and Rescue System (MEOSAR) managed by the International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme translates into 2000 lives saved per year. For example, in November 2020, this SAR/Galileo “lifesaver” service provided in less than 3 minutes key information leading to the successful rescue of a sailor in distress during the Vendee Globe Yacht race.

3. New Galileo service differentiator: High Accuracy Service (HAS)

The first-ever broadcast of High Accuracy Service test signal occurred on 19 May 2021 thanks to Galileo. This service will provide high accuracy data, enabling sub-meter level positioning accuracy. The initial performances are promising. Galileo is dressing the scene for the year to come. 

4. Galileo getting in our daily lives and professional applications

Galileo is not only satellites and services: since 2016, Galileo entered quickly in our daily lives, in our cars, smartphones, drones and is enhancing many professional domains, such as maritime navigation, agriculture and geomatics.  EUSPA’s market and user-driven approach has led to this success, developing innovative applications and receivers involving the growing GNSS downstream industry and SMEs, consulting with users, and launching innovation challenges for new space entrepreneurs.  

As of today, more than 2.4 billion Galileo-enabled smartphones are sold worldwide. It is a stunning number considering that the first Galileo-enabled smartphone only hit the market in 2016. Since April 2018, all new car models in the European Union are equipped with eCall technology that includes Galileo. In the event of a serious accident, eCall automatically dials 112 - Europe's single emergency number – providing the accurate position of the crashed vehicle to help the first responders reach the site faster.

What is next for Galileo?

The Galileo system robustness is being continuously improved to ensure seamless, safe and secured service delivery 24/7 to users worldwide.

The Public Regulated Service (PRS) of Galileo is expected to reach Initial Operational Capability by the end of 2023.

EUSPA is currently working on delivering next-generation services based on Galileo’s precise signals, timing capabilities, and robust performance. 

Visit the GNSS Service Centre website www.gsc-europa.eu for all details on Galileo service performance

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).

EUSPA launched a new initiative called "EUSPA Network of pilot projects" to facilitate the implementation of EGNOS-based procedures to non-instrument runways for general aviation and validate the safety assessment guidelines, published earlier in November.

Since its certification for use in civil aviation in 2011, EGNOS has become an important aid in the European aviation sector, increasing both the safety and accessibility of airports. Thanks to the accurate guidance offered by the system, pilots can easily land under challenging weather conditions such as poor visibility and avoid aborted landings (go-arounds). 

From an airport perspective, EGNOS LPV approaches allow for instrument landings at lower costs as there is no need to install ground navigation aids. Satellite-based approaches by EGNOS are precise, stable, offer smoother glide paths and very high levels of availability.

As of today, more than 400 airports -mostly medium or large- in Europe rely on EGNOS-based approaches. General Aviation aerodromes usually rely on only VFR operations and have limited ground infrastructure. Even though the General Aviation (GA) community undertakes millions of flights on aircraft equipped with GNSS-receivers, it is not taking full advantage of the technology.

EUSPA worked together with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and other general aviation stakeholders on the strategy and other materials to support the implementation of EGNOS for general aviation to increase instrument approaches with EGNOS at non-instrument aerodromes. In December 2019, the safety promotion material for the implementation of EGNOS based procedures to general aviation was published followed by the safety assessment guidance material focusing on safety assessment development. One of the biggest challenges of the implementation of EGNOS-based approaches to non-instrument runways for general aviation is the safety assessment.  EUSPA launched a new initiative called "EUSPA Network of pilot projects" to facilitate the implementation of EGNOS-based procedures to non-instrument runways for general aviation and validate the safety assessment guidelines.

Click here to read all you need to know about the "EUSPA Network of pilot projects"

Why invest in EGNOS?

Implementing EGNOS-based LPV procedures across European General Aviation airports brings numerous opportunities, from increasing flight traffic and boosting the economy of local communities to benefitting flight schools.  SBAS approaches can help smaller airports create more connections for General and Business Aviation flights, while GA and BA pilots can rely on their instruments to land even under poor weather conditions such as decreased visibility.

About EGNOS

The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, or EGNOS in short, is European Union regional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS). SBASs are used to correct the performance of global navigation satellite systems, such as GPS. To do so, EGNOS uses a set of geostationary satellites and a network of ground stations to increase the accuracy of GPS. In the next 3 years, a new, more powerful system called "EGNOS V3" will become available and the user experience will be maximised through the strengthening of Galileo’s signal in addition to GPS’s.

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).

The 10th edition of the EGNOS Workshop brought together nearly 500 users of the European Satellite-Based augmentation service (SBAS), EGNOS, to appreciate how they are taking the best out of this component of the EU Space Programme.

The EGNOS Workshop is an opportunity to connect with Europe’s SBAS users, catch up on the GNSS latest developments, share success stories, and exchange views. Entrepreneurs, SMEs, space industry experts, and institutional stakeholders from a broad range of industries comprising aviation, maritime, rail, and agriculture joined us for this year’s online version.

The workshop gathered high-level speakers and users of EGNOS. EUSPA Head of Market Development, Fiammetta Diani, presented new market uptake strategies that will increase the EGNOS user base. Market segments with great EGNOS potential include autonomous vehicles, drones, and aviation with AFIS (Aerodrome Flight Information Service).

EGNOS to become a standard in aviation by 2024

2021 marked the 10th anniversary of the EGNOS Safety of Life service. The service was declared operational in March 2011, enabling approaches down to LPV (Localiser Performance with Vertical guidance) minima at airports across Europe. As of today, there are 798 EGNOS mapped procedures at 422 airports and aerodromes across the EU24 and in countries such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Montenegro, and Serbia. According to EUSPA experts, in October, 62718 flights used EGNOS for landing, a number which is expected to grow even more in the years to come. A major step in enhancing the market uptake of EGNOS was the adoption of the PBN Implementing Rule by the European Commission in late 2018. By 2024, all European instrument runways should have implemented LPV approaches delivered by EGNOS. 

Various EGNOS use cases in aviation were presented. For instance, the first transcontinental flight using SBAS LPV approaches at both origin and destination airport. On September 12th, 2020, Finnair’s pilots set a flight plan from Helsinki Vantaa Airport to New York JFK to land on runway 4 with a LPV approach. The approach and landing were uneventful and carried out under optimal visual conditions. On September 13th, after a 24-hour layover at New York and using the same airbus A350, Finnair performed a cargo flight landing in Helsinki airport using EGNOS. 

Agriculture, rail, and maritime at the heart of EGNOS service provision

EGNOS has been a ‘’go-to source’’ for farmers who look to invest in precision farming, with almost 100% of new tractors in Europe incorporating its corrections. Coupled with imagery and in-situ data by Copernicus, EGNOS’s trusted precision allows for solutions such Variable-Rate Technology (VRT), a technique that automates the application of fertilizers, chemical sprays, and seeds to a given piece of land.

In the rail sector, chipset and receiver manufacturers are already developing devices and modules that combine signals from multiple constellations while integrating EGNOS corrections to ensure better signal availability. Mission studies are progressing to define a dedicated EGNSS service for rail safety-critical applications. Within non-safety critical applications, EUSPA has been instrumental in convincing stakeholders to adopt Galileo and EGNOS to achieve better performance in the area of asset tracking. A recent example of such successful EGNSS uptake in the rail sector was presented by DB Cargo representative, Sören Linse. At present, already more than 60.000 DB wagons rely on EGNSS to ensure effective asset monitoring, including geofencing alerts or improved billing processes for their transport service delivery to customers.

Watch this: #EUSpace for Rail

EGNOS's corrections Europe-wide are already making a difference in many inland waterways and ports. EUSPA is currently developing a new EGNOS service dedicated to the maritime community that will complement and serve as an alternative to the local DGNSS networks deployed along the European coasts. Additionally, in the maritime and inland waterways sector, EUSPA is supporting Members States with the upgrade of shore station equipment that enables the transmission of EGNOS corrections over IALA Radio beacons and AIS stations. 

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).

The 10th edition of the EGNOS Workshop brought together nearly 500 users of the European Satellite-Based augmentation service (SBAS), EGNOS, to appreciate how they are taking the best out of this component of the EU Space Programme.

The EGNOS Workshop is an opportunity to connect with Europe’s SBAS users, catch up on the GNSS latest developments, share success stories, and exchange views. Entrepreneurs, SMEs, space industry experts, and institutional stakeholders from a broad range of industries comprising aviation, maritime, rail, and agriculture joined us for this year’s online version.

The workshop gathered high-level speakers and users of EGNOS. EUSPA Head of Market Development, Fiammetta Diani, presented new market uptake strategies that will increase the EGNOS user base. Market segments with great EGNOS potential include autonomous vehicles, drones, and aviation with AFIS (Aerodrome Flight Information Service).

EGNOS to become a standard in aviation by 2024

2021 marked the 10th anniversary of the EGNOS Safety of Life service. The service was declared operational in March 2011, enabling approaches down to LPV (Localiser Performance with Vertical guidance) minima at airports across Europe. As of today, there are 798 EGNOS mapped procedures at 422 airports and aerodromes across the EU24 and in countries such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Montenegro, and Serbia. According to EUSPA experts, in October, 62718 flights used EGNOS for landing, a number which is expected to grow even more in the years to come. A major step in enhancing the market uptake of EGNOS was the adoption of the PBN Implementing Rule by the European Commission in late 2018. By 2024, all European instrument runways should have implemented LPV approaches delivered by EGNOS. 

Various EGNOS use cases in aviation were presented. For instance, the first transcontinental flight using SBAS LPV approaches at both origin and destination airport. On September 12th, 2020, Finnair’s pilots set a flight plan from Helsinki Vantaa Airport to New York JFK to land on runway 4 with a LPV approach. The approach and landing were uneventful and carried out under optimal visual conditions. On September 13th, after a 24-hour layover at New York and using the same airbus A350, Finnair performed a cargo flight landing in Helsinki airport using EGNOS. 

Agriculture, rail, and maritime at the heart of EGNOS service provision

EGNOS has been a ‘’go-to source’’ for farmers who look to invest in precision farming, with almost 100% of new tractors in Europe incorporating its corrections. Coupled with imagery and in-situ data by Copernicus, EGNOS’s trusted precision allows for solutions such Variable-Rate Technology (VRT), a technique that automates the application of fertilizers, chemical sprays, and seeds to a given piece of land.

In the rail sector, chipset and receiver manufacturers are already developing devices and modules that combine signals from multiple constellations while integrating EGNOS corrections to ensure better signal availability. Mission studies are progressing to define a dedicated EGNSS service for rail safety-critical applications. Within non-safety critical applications, EUSPA has been instrumental in convincing stakeholders to adopt Galileo and EGNOS to achieve better performance in the area of asset tracking. A recent example of such successful EGNSS uptake in the rail sector was presented by DB Cargo representative, Sören Linse. At present, already more than 60.000 DB wagons rely on EGNSS to ensure effective asset monitoring, including geofencing alerts or improved billing processes for their transport service delivery to customers.

Watch this: #EUSpace for Rail

EGNOS's corrections Europe-wide is already making a difference in many inland waterways and ports. EUSPA is currently developing a new EGNOS service dedicated to the maritime community that will complement and serve as an alternative to the local DGNSS networks deployed along the European coasts. Additionally, in the maritime and inland waterways sector, EUSPA is supporting Members States with the upgrade of shore station equipment that enables the transmission of EGNOS corrections over IALA Radio beacons and AIS stations. 

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).

The 10th edition of the EGNOS Workshop brought together nearly 500 users of the European Satellite-Based augmentation service (SBAS), EGNOS, to appreciate how they are taking the best out of this component of the EU Space Programme.

The EGNOS Workshop is an opportunity to connect with Europe’s SBAS users, catch up on the GNSS latest developments, share success stories, and exchange views. Entrepreneurs, SMEs, space industry experts, and institutional stakeholders from a broad range of industries comprising aviation, maritime, rail, and agriculture joined us for this year’s online version.

The workshop gathered high-level speakers and users of EGNOS. EUSPA Head of Market Development, Fiammetta Diani, presented new market uptake strategies that will increase the EGNOS user base. Market segments with great EGNOS potential include autonomous vehicles, drones, and aviation with AFIS (Aerodrome Flight Information Service).

EGNOS to become a standard in aviation by 2024

2021 marked the 10th anniversary of the EGNOS Safety of Life service. The service was declared operational in March 2011, enabling approaches down to LPV (Localiser Performance with Vertical guidance) minima at airports across Europe. As of today, there are 798 EGNOS mapped procedures at 422 airports and aerodromes across the EU27 and in countries such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Montenegro, and Serbia. According to EUSPA experts, in October, 62718 flights used EGNOS for landing, a number which is expected to grow even more in the years to come. A major step in enhancing the market uptake of EGNOS was the adoption of the PBN Implementing Rule by the European Commission in late 2018. By 2024, all European instrument runways should have implemented LPV approaches delivered by EGNOS. 

Various EGNOS use cases in aviation were presented. For instance, the first transcontinental flight using SBAS LPV approaches at both origin and destination airport. On September 12th, 2020, Finnair’s pilots set a flight plan from Helsinki Vantaa Airport to New York JFK to land on runway 4 with a LPV approach. The approach and landing were uneventful and carried out under optimal visual conditions. On September 13th, after a 24-hour layover at New York and using the same airbus A350, Finnair performed a cargo flight landing in Helsinki airport using EGNOS. 

Agriculture, rail, and maritime at the heart of EGNOS service provision

EGNOS has been a ‘’go-to source’’ for farmers who look to invest in precision farming, with almost 100% of new tractors in Europe incorporating its corrections. Coupled with imagery and in-situ data by Copernicus, EGNOS’s trusted precision allows for solutions such Variable-Rate Technology (VRT), a technique that automates the application of fertilizers, chemical sprays, and seeds to a given piece of land.

In the rail sector, chipset and receiver manufacturers are already developing devices and modules that combine signals from multiple constellations while integrating EGNOS corrections to ensure better signal availability. Mission studies are progressing to define a dedicated EGNSS service for rail safety-critical applications. Within non-safety critical applications, EUSPA has been instrumental in convincing stakeholders to adopt Galileo and EGNOS to achieve better performance in the area of asset tracking. A recent example of such successful EGNSS uptake in the rail sector was presented by DB Cargo representative, Sören Linse. At present, already more than 60.000 DB wagons rely on EGNSS to ensure effective asset monitoring, including geofencing alerts or improved billing processes for their transport service delivery to customers.

Watch this: #EUSpace for Rail

EGNOS's corrections Europe-wide are already making a difference in many inland waterways and ports. EUSPA is currently developing a new EGNOS service dedicated to the maritime community that will complement and serve as an alternative to the local DGNSS networks deployed along the European coasts. Additionally, in the maritime and inland waterways sector, EUSPA is supporting Members States with the upgrade of shore station equipment that enables the transmission of EGNOS corrections over IALA Radio beacons and AIS stations. 

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).