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The EU Agency for the Space Programme celebrates its first anniversary with new services, a new satellite and even more end users.

Time flies when you’re busy getting things done. And in the first year of its existence, the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) has gotten a lot of things done.

“EUSPA’s launch one year ago today represented the start of a new era for the EU Space Programme,” says EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa. “With an expanded mandate and new responsibilities, we are committed to helping the EU, its citizens and its businesses maximise the many social and economic benefits of space.”

“Today we celebrate EUSPA. It's also the opportunity to reflect and be proud of the milestones we achieved by working together. More users, more services, and satellites in space! Go Europe, go EUSPA!'' concludes EUSPA Administrative Board Chair, Václav Kobera.

Building on the legacy of the European GNSS Agency (GSA), EUSPA’s mandate includes not only overseeing the security, services and market uptake of Galileo and EGNOS, but also Copernicus, Europe’s Earth Observation (EO) service – an area with significant commercial potential.

According to the first ever EUSPA EO and GNSS Market Report, published earlier this year, SMEs and start-ups account for more than 93% of European Earth Observation companies. With revenues set to double from approximately EUR 2.8 billion to over EUR 5.5 billion within the next decade, the EO market is full of opportunities for EU businesses and entrepreneurs.

To ensure companies take advantage of these opportunities, EUSPA has positioned itself as the go-to-source for all things related to Earth Observation. In addition to providing market intelligence, the Agency works directly with businesses to help them best leverage Copernicus data, information and services. EUSPA also launched several EO focused funding opportunities, including Horizon Calls and innovation competitions.

But Copernicus doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It also complements the other components of the EU Space Programme, which is why EUSPA is constantly promoting the benefits of using Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS together.

“Galileo and EGNOS enable the determination of a precise position, anywhere and Copernicus provides information on the Earth’s surface, atmosphere and oceans,” adds da Costa. “When you put these programmes together, you unleash an array of synergies that can have a powerful impact on society and the planet.”

A new pillar for the EU Space Programme

This list of space programmes will soon add a new name. GOVSATCOM, the fourth pillar of the EU Space Programme, is a user-centric programme designed to meet the unique requirements of governmental applications, including those used for crisis management, surveillance and the management of key infrastructures.

“While Copernicus and EGNSS provide the necessary data and positioning, European governments and institutions need a means of communication that is robustly protected against interference, interception, intrusion and other risks” explains da Costa. “Once operational, GOVSATCOM will bridge this gap between the need for assured and secure communication and the capabilities offered by Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS.”

As part of its expanded mandate, EUSPA has been entrusted with the procurement of the secure ground segment, its operations and the coordination of the user-related aspects of GOVSATCOM.

The mission remains the same

EUSPA’s first year also saw the development of new services and the launch of new satellites. As to the former, the Agency has been busy developing two new Galileo services: a High Accuracy Service (HAS) for high accuracy Precise Point Positioning (PPP) corrections and the Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA), which will provide receivers with a first level of protection against falsifying and spoofing.

The entry into service of a new additional satellite, GSAT 2203, has brought enhanced accuracy and more precise positioning to the Galileo service provision.

But even with its expanded mandate and new responsibilities, EUSPA’s mission remains the same: linking space to user needs. “I am extremely proud of everything EUSPA has achieved in a year, which is the direct result of our dedicated professionals, all of whom embrace a service-oriented mindset and are passionate about making space technology accessible to EU citizens and businesses,” concludes da Costa.

“It is an honour to serve as Chair of the Security Accreditation Board, the independent authority that provides accreditation to all of the EU Space Programme’s components. Thanks to SAB, EUSPA is at the front lines of cybersecurity, providing end-users with the confidence of knowing that the space-derived data they depend on is safe and secure,” adds Bruno Vermeire.

Test your knowledge on all things EU Space 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).

The EU Agency for the Space Programme celebrates its first anniversary with new services, a new satellite and even more end users.

Time flies when you’re busy getting things done. And in the first year of its existence, the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) has gotten a lot of things done.

“EUSPA’s launch one year ago today represented the start of a new era for the EU Space Programme,” says EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa. “With an expanded mandate and new responsibilities, we are committed to helping the EU, its citizens and its businesses maximise the many social and economic benefits of space.”

“Today we celebrate EUSPA. It's also the opportunity to reflect and be proud of the milestones we achieved by working together. More users, more services, and satellites in space! Go Europe, go EUSPA!'' concludes EUSPA Administrative Board Chair, Václav Kobera.

Building on the legacy of the European GNSS Agency (GSA), EUSPA’s mandate includes not only overseeing the security, services and market uptake of Galileo and EGNOS, but also Copernicus, Europe’s Earth Observation (EO) service – an area with significant commercial potential.

According to the first ever EUSPA EO and GNSS Market Report, published earlier this year, SMEs and start-ups account for more than 93% of European Earth Observation companies. With revenues set to double from approximately EUR 2.8 billion to over EUR 5.5 billion within the next decade, the EO market is full of opportunities for EU businesses and entrepreneurs.

To ensure companies take advantage of these opportunities, EUSPA has positioned itself as the go-to-source for all things related to Earth Observation. In addition to providing market intelligence, the Agency works directly with businesses to help them best leverage Copernicus data, information and services. EUSPA also launched several EO focused funding opportunities, including Horizon Calls and innovation competitions.

But Copernicus doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It also complements the other components of the EU Space Programme, which is why EUSPA is constantly promoting the benefits of using Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS together.

“Galileo and EGNOS enable the determination of a precise position, anywhere and Copernicus provides information on the Earth’s surface, atmosphere and oceans,” adds da Costa. “When you put these programmes together, you unleash an array of synergies that can have a powerful impact on society and the planet.”

A new pillar for the EU Space Programme

This list of space programmes will soon add a new name. GOVSATCOM, the fourth pillar of the EU Space Programme, is a user-centric programme designed to meet the unique requirements of governmental applications, including those used for crisis management, surveillance and the management of key infrastructures.

“While Copernicus and EGNSS provide the necessary data and positioning, European governments and institutions need a means of communication that is robustly protected against interference, interception, intrusion and other risks” explains da Costa. “Once operational, GOVSATCOM will bridge this gap between the need for assured and secure communication and the capabilities offered by Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS.”

As part of its expanded mandate, EUSPA has been entrusted with the procurement of the secure ground segment, its operations and the coordination of the user-related aspects of GOVSATCOM.

The mission remains the same

EUSPA’s first year also saw the development of new services and the launch of new satellites. As to the former, the Agency has been busy developing two new Galileo services: a High Accuracy Service (HAS) for high accuracy Precise Point Positioning (PPP) corrections and the Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA), which will provide receivers with a first level of protection against falsifying and spoofing.

The entry into service of a new additional satellite, GSAT 2203, has brought enhanced accuracy and more precise positioning to the Galileo service provision.

But even with its expanded mandate and new responsibilities, EUSPA’s mission remains the same: linking space to user needs. “I am extremely proud of everything EUSPA has achieved in a year, which is the direct result of our dedicated professionals, all of whom embrace a service-oriented mindset and are passionate about making space technology accessible to EU citizens and businesses,” concludes da Costa.

“It is an honour to serve as Chair of the Security Accreditation Board, the independent authority that provides accreditation to all of the EU Space Programme’s components. Thanks to SAB, EUSPA is at the front lines of cybersecurity, providing end-users with the confidence of knowing that the space-derived data they depend on is safe and secure,” adds Bruno Vermeire.

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 EU Agency for the Space Programme celebrates its first anniversary with new services, a new satellite and even more end users.

Time flies when you’re busy getting things done. And in the first year of its existence, the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) has gotten a lot of things done.

“EUSPA’s launch one year ago today represented the start of a new era for the EU Space Programme,” says EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa. “With an expanded mandate and new responsibilities, we are committed to helping the EU, its citizens and its businesses maximise the many social and economic benefits of space.”

Building on the legacy of the European GNSS Agency (GSA), EUSPA’s mandate includes not only overseeing the security, services and market uptake of Galileo and EGNOS, but also Copernicus, Europe’s Earth Observation (EO) service – an area with significant commercial potential.

According to the first ever EUSPA EO and GNSS Market Report, published earlier this year, SMEs and start-ups account for more than 93% of European Earth Observation companies. With revenues set to double from approximately EUR 2.8 billion to over EUR 5.5 billion within the next decade, the EO market is full of opportunities for EU businesses and entrepreneurs.

To ensure companies take advantage of these opportunities, EUSPA has positioned itself as the go-to-source for all things related to Earth Observation. In addition to providing market intelligence, the Agency works directly with businesses to help them best leverage Copernicus data, information and services. EUSPA also launched several EO focused funding opportunities, including Horizon Calls and innovation competitions.

But Copernicus doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It also complements the other components of the EU Space Programme, which is why EUSPA is constantly promoting the benefits of using Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS together.

“Galileo and EGNOS enable the determination of a precise position, anywhere and Copernicus provides information on the Earth’s surface, atmosphere and oceans,” adds da Costa. “When you put these programmes together, you unleash an array of synergies that can have a powerful impact on society and the planet.”

A new pillar for the EU Space Programme

This list of space programmes will soon add a new name. GOVSATCOM, the fourth pillar of the EU Space Programme, is a user-centric programme designed to meet the unique requirements of governmental applications, including those used for crisis management, surveillance and the management of key infrastructures.

“While Copernicus and EGNSS provide the necessary data and positioning, European governments and institutions need a means of communication that is robustly protected against interference, interception, intrusion and other risks” explains da Costa. “Once operational, GOVSATCOM will bridge this gap between the need for assured and secure communication and the capabilities offered by Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS.”

As part of its expanded mandate, EUSPA has been entrusted with the procurement of the secure ground segment, its operations and the coordination of the user-related aspects of GOVSATCOM.

The mission remains the same

EUSPA’s first year also saw the development of new services and the launch of new satellites. As to the former, the Agency has been busy developing two new Galileo services: a High Accuracy Service (HAS) for high accuracy Precise Point Positioning (PPP) corrections and the Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA), which will provide receivers with a first level of protection against falsifying and spoofing.

The entry into service of a new additional satellite, GSAT 2203, has brought enhanced accuracy and more precise positioning to the Galileo service provision.

But even with its expanded mandate and new responsibilities, EUSPA’s mission remains the same: linking space to user needs. “I am extremely proud of everything EUSPA has achieved in a year, which is the direct result of our dedicated professionals, all of whom embrace a service-oriented mindset and are passionate about making space technology accessible to EU citizens and businesses,” concludes da Costa.

“It is an honour to serve as Chair of the Security Accreditation Board, the independent authority that provides accreditation to all of the EU Space Programme’s components. Thanks to SAB, EUSPA is at the front lines of cybersecurity, providing end-users with the confidence of knowing that the space-derived data they depend on is safe and secure,” adds Bruno Vermeire.

“Today we celebrate EUSPA. It's also the opportunity to reflect and be proud of the milestones we achieved by working together. More users, more services, and satellites in space! Go Europe, go EUSPA!'' concludes EUSPA Administrative Board Chair, Václav Kobera.

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).

Galileo High Accuracy Service gets one step closer to the launch of initial services. 

Galileo, Europe’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), is now one step closer to declaring the start of initial services for its High Accuracy Service (HAS). The news follows the publication by the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), together with the European Commission and the European Space Agency, of the first Galileo HAS Signal in Space (SiS) Interface Control Document (link).

By providing free-of-charge, high accuracy Precise Point Positioning (PPP) corrections through both the Galileo signal (E6-B) and via the internet, the HAS will offer users improved positioning performance with an accuracy of less than two decimetres. 

“Galileo will be the first GNSS constellation capable of providing a high accuracy service directly through the Signal in Space,” explains EUSPA Guerric Pont, Galileo Services, Programme Manager. “This is unique in that, typically, high accuracy services are based on accurate satellite and atmospheric data provided from a third party, but not directly from the GNSS”.

According to Pont, high accuracy services are experiencing a massive boost in interest, thanks in large part to new capabilities of GNSS receivers and the rapid emergence of new applications that require accurate location data. “Currently, high accuracy is primarily used in such professional applications as surveying, precision agriculture and civil engineering, amongst others,” he says. “However, new and emerging applications, including autonomous driving, unmanned vehicles, robotics and a range of location-based services will all welcome high accuracy.” 

Pont also notes that, when used in synergy with Copernicus, the Galileo HAS will open up new market possibilities and help design new services. 

The accumulation of an ongoing process

In 2021, EUSPA, in coordination with the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA), published an Information Note on the Galileo HAS. The note provided an overview of the service’s main characteristics, along with information on such key features as service levels, targeted performance and markets and a roadmap for implementation. 

This was followed by a call for Expression of Interest for High Accuracy Service Testing, which invited external stakeholders to participate in a testing campaign of the Galileo HAS Signal in Space broadcasting. The goal of the campaign was to collect relevant feedback, not only on the HAS SiS Interface Control Document structure and implementation at the receiver level, but also on service-related aspects and specifications. 

“The Galileo programme has been performing a long set of HAS testing activities since 2019, which cumulated in the first-ever HAS signal broadcast in May 2021,” adds Javier de Blas, EUSPA Commercial and HAS manager. “Based on the feedback gained during the joint efforts conducted by EUSPA, the European Commission and ESA, with the key support of European aerospace industry during the testing phase, we are now able to publish the first Galileo High Accuracy Service Signal in Space Interface Control Document.”  

Following the publication of this HAS SIS ICD, the Galileo Programme will continue the deployment and service validation of HAS over the next months, in view of an operational declaration of HAS initial service, or HAS Phase 1, by the end of 2022. This will enable the development of products in parallel to the gradual entry into full operational service in the next few years.

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).

Galileo High Accuracy Service gets one step closer to the launch of initial services. 

Galileo, Europe’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), is now one step closer to declaring the start of initial services for its High Accuracy Service (HAS). The news follows the publication by the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), together with the European Commission and the European Space Agency, of the first Galileo HAS Signal in Space (SiS) Interface Control Document (link).

By providing free-of-charge, high accuracy Precise Point Positioning (PPP) corrections through both the Galileo signal (E6-B) and via the internet, the HAS will offer users improved positioning performance with an accuracy of less than two decimetres. 

“Galileo will be the first GNSS constellation capable of providing a high accuracy service directly through the Signal in Space,” explains EUSPA Guerric Pont, Galileo Services, Programme Manager. “This is unique in that, typically, high accuracy services are based on accurate satellite and atmospheric data provided from a third party, but not directly from the GNSS”.

According to Pont, high accuracy services are experiencing a massive boost in interest, thanks in large part to new capabilities of GNSS receivers and the rapid emergence of new applications that require accurate location data. “Currently, high accuracy is primarily used in such professional applications as surveying, precision agriculture and civil engineering, amongst others,” he says. “However, new and emerging applications, including autonomous driving, unmanned vehicles, robotics and a range of location-based services will all welcome high accuracy.” 

Pont also notes that, when used in synergy with Copernicus, the Galileo HAS will open up new market possibilities and help design new services. 

The accumulation of an ongoing process

In 2021, EUSPA, in coordination with the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA), published an Information Note on the Galileo HAS. The note provided an overview of the service’s main characteristics, along with information on such key features as service levels, targeted performance and markets and a roadmap for implementation. 

This was followed by a call for Expression of Interest for High Accuracy Service Testing, which invited external stakeholders to participate in a testing campaign of the Galileo HAS Signal in Space broadcasting. The goal of the campaign was to collect relevant feedback, not only on the HAS SiS Interface Control Document structure and implementation at the receiver level, but also on service-related aspects and specifications. 

“The Galileo programme has been performing a long set of HAS testing activities since 2019, which cumulated in the first-ever HAS signal broadcast in May 2021,” adds Javier de Blas, EUSPA Commercial and HAS manager. “Based on the feedback gained during the joint efforts conducted by EUSPA, the European Commission and ESA, with the key support of European aerospace industry during the testing phase, we are now able to publish the first Galileo High Accuracy Service Signal in Space Interface Control Document.”  

Following the publication of this HAS SIS ICD, the Galileo Programme will continue the deployment and service validation of HAS over the next months, in view of an operational declaration of HAS initial service, or HAS Phase 1, by the end of 2022. This will enable the development of products in parallel to the gradual entry into full operational service in the next few years.

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).