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One of the highlights of Day 3 of European Space Week was the Investors Forum, which brought start-ups/SMEs from a wide range of business backgrounds together with investors interested in innovative EU space technology. In total, 10 start-ups presented their ideas to the panel of investors.

Organised by the European GNSS Agency, the Investors Forum gave the opportunity to ten start-ups to pitch their ideas and prototypes to a panel of leading investors. There is an increasing demand for smart space-based applications to respond to current and future market needs, and global challenges.

Introducing the Forum, Christoph Kautz from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space said that the EU’s ambition is to support the creation of a European New Space segment consisting of markets with paying customers in which private investors fund expansion. He urged the start-ups, private and institutional partners to be ambitious.

Ten innovative ideas

Dcubed: This project’s mission is to accelerate the utilisation of space through the creation of innovative and user-friendly technologies. It develops products, such as actuators, with the specific needs of New Space customers in mind. Dcubed is looking for a partner that thinks that new space is the future and sees potential in Europe to compete with the US. For more info: www.dcubed.space

Planblue believes that threats posed to nature and society, by climate change or plastic pollution for example, need to be tackled and understood using real-time, objective and automated tools. This is what the company provides with its technology. They are looking for a partner that shares the same desire to achieve the greater good and to tackle big problems. For more info: www.planblue.com

iCaune’s DRACONAV solution is a fully integrated and secure multi-GNSS module designed to provide confidence and improve resilience in the position, velocity and time computed from satellite navigation systems. From an investor they are looking to accelerate business and marketing development, and receive help in financing R&D and recruiting new technical staff. For more information: www.fdc.fr/draconav/

Vake is a ship tracking system that can be used to fight illegal fishing and smuggling. When navigational messages get lost, scrambled or switched off, Vake can verify a ship’s position and movements using satellite images and by running "face" recognition algorithms to identify a ship. They are looking for an investor with experience in offshore assets, who can build their network and provide advice on the way forward. For more information: www.vake.ai

Ansur produces innovative software solutions that optimise bandwidth use when communicating photos and videos, giving fast and precise communication of critical visual information in challenging situations, making it possible to save lives. From an investor, they are looking for advice and networks - someone that can contribute to company growth with more than funding. For more information: www.ansur.no

EPIC Blue has developed a wearable – Shyn – that offers reliable positioning both indoors and outdoors, even if GNSS is unavailable. It can be used by first responders or in industry, to locate people indoors or to increase awareness of closeness to hazards. From an investor they are looking for know-how to accelerate business development and increase their international footprint. For more information: www.shyn.blue/

Angsa Robotics has developed Germany’s first autonomous trash collection robot, which collects small pieces of rubbish left on grass or gravel, such as bottle caps or cigarette butts, that would otherwise cause ecological and economic problems. They are looking for an investor that shares their vision for a sustainable and successful high-tech company, and their principles of meaningful and impactful work. For more information: angsa-robotics.com

Deep Blue Globe is a start-up providing a solution for autonomous maritime navigation powered by artificial intelligence and using data on real time maritime traffic and weather conditions. Its Polaris service aims to help polar fisheries optimise navigation routes and identify the best fishing grounds using Earth observation, GNSS and historical catch data. They are looking for an investor involved in the maritime sector to give them the final push to enter a European market worth more than EUR 1 billion. For more information: polaris.deepblueglobe.eu

Breeze Technologies develops small-scale air quality sensors that can measure common pollutants like carbon and nitrogen oxides, ozone, particulate matter and many more. It can benefit the chronically ill, asthmatics, parents with young children, or runners looking for pollution-free routes. They are looking for an investor that shares their vision to create healthier more liveable cities. For more information: www.breeze-technologies.de

Village Data Analytics (VIDA) is an Earth observation and AI-powered custom software that enables data-driven investment, business and policy decisions in rural villages in Africa and Asia. By increasing transparency, it reduces the risk of investment in remote areas. They are looking for an investor that will help them to prioritise market opportunities and invest in new technology development and market scale-up. For more information: www.villagedata.io

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) 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 GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

One of the highlights of Day 3 of European Space Week was the Investors Forum, which brought start-ups/SMEs from a wide range of business backgrounds together with investors interested in innovative EU space technology. In total, 10 start-ups presented their ideas to the panel of investors.

Organised by the European GNSS Agency, the Investor Forum gave the opportunity to ten start-ups to pitch their ideas and prototypes to a panel of leading investors. There is an increasing demand for smart space-based applications to respond to current and future market needs, and global challenges.

Introducing the Forum, Christoph Kautz from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space said that the EU’s ambition is to support the creation of a European New Space segment consisting of markets with paying customers in which private investors fund expansion. He urged the start-ups, private and institutional partners to be ambitious.

Ten innovative ideas

Dcubed: This project’s mission is to accelerate the utilisation of space through the creation of innovative and user-friendly technologies. It develops products, such as actuators, with the specific needs of New Space customers in mind. Dcubed is looking for a partner that thinks that new space is the future and sees potential in Europe to compete with the US. For more info: www.dcubed.space

Planblue believes that threats posed to nature and society, by climate change or plastic pollution for example, need to be tackled and understood using real-time, objective and automated tools. This is what the company provides with its technology. They are looking for a partner that shares the same desire to achieve the greater good and to tackle big problems. For more info: www.planblue.com

iCaune’s DRACONAV solution is a fully integrated and secure multi-GNSS module designed to provide confidence and improve resilience in the position, velocity and time computed from satellite navigation systems. From an investor they are looking to accelerate business and marketing development, and receive help in financing R&D and recruiting new technical staff. For more information: www.fdc.fr/draconav/

Vake is a ship tracking system that can be used to fight illegal fishing and smuggling. When navigational messages get lost, scrambled or switched off, Vake can verify a ship’s position and movements using satellite images and by running "face" recognition algorithms to identify a ship. They are looking for an investor with experience in offshore assets, who can build their network and provide advice on the way forward. For more information: www.vake.ai

Ansur produces innovative software solutions that optimise bandwidth use when communicating photos and videos, giving fast and precise communication of critical visual information in challenging situations, making it possible to save lives. From an investor, they are looking for advice and networks - someone that can contribute to company growth with more than funding. For more information: www.ansur.no

EPIC Blue has developed a wearable – Shyn – that offers reliable positioning both indoors and outdoors, even if GNSS is unavailable. It can be used by first responders or in industry, to locate people indoors or to increase awareness of closeness to hazards. From an investor they are looking for know-how to accelerate business development and increase their international footprint. For more information: www.shyn.blue/

Angsa Robotics has developed Germany’s first autonomous trash collection robot, which collects small pieces of rubbish left on grass or gravel, such as bottle caps or cigarette butts, that would otherwise cause ecological and economic problems. They are looking for an investor that shares their vision for a sustainable and successful high-tech company, and their principles of meaningful and impactful work. For more information: angsa-robotics.com

Deep Blue Globe is a start-up providing a solution for autonomous maritime navigation powered by artificial intelligence and using data on real time maritime traffic and weather conditions. Its Polaris service aims to help polar fisheries optimise navigation routes and identify the best fishing grounds using Earth observation, GNSS and historical catch data. They are looking for an investor involved in the maritime sector to give them the final push to enter a European market worth more than EUR 1 billion. For more information: polaris.deepblueglobe.eu

Breeze Technologies develops small-scale air quality sensors that can measure common pollutants like carbon and nitrogen oxides, ozone, particulate matter and many more. It can benefit the chronically ill, asthmatics, parents with young children, or runners looking for pollution-free routes. They are looking for an investor that shares their vision to create healthier more liveable cities. For more information: www.breeze-technologies.de

Village Data Analytics (VIDA) is an Earth observation and AI-powered custom software that enables data-driven investment, business and policy decisions in rural villages in Africa and Asia. By increasing transparency, it reduces the risk of investment in remote areas. They are looking for an investor that will help them to prioritise market opportunities and invest in new technology development and market scale-up. For more information: www.villagedata.io

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) 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 GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

One of the highlights of Day 3 of European Space Week was the Investors Forum, which brought start-ups/SMEs from a wide range of business backgrounds together with investors interested in innovative EU space technology. In total, 10 start-ups presented their ideas to the panel of investors.

Organised by the European GNSS Agency, the Investors Forum gave the opportunity to ten start-ups to pitch their ideas and prototypes to a panel of leading investors. There is an increasing demand for smart space-based applications to respond to current and future market needs, and global challenges.

Introducing the Forum, Christoph Kautz from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space said that the EU’s ambition is to support the creation of a European New Space segment consisting of markets with paying customers in which private investors fund expansion. He urged the start-ups, private and institutional partners to be ambitious.

Ten innovative ideas

Dcubed: This project’s mission is to accelerate the utilisation of space through the creation of innovative and user-friendly technologies. It develops products, such as actuators, with the specific needs of New Space customers in mind. Dcubed is looking for a partner that thinks that new space is the future and sees potential in Europe to compete with the US. For more info: www.dcubed.space

Planblue believes that threats posed to nature and society, by climate change or plastic pollution for example, need to be tackled and understood using real-time, objective and automated tools. This is what the company provides with its technology. They are looking for a partner that shares the same desire to achieve the greater good and to tackle big problems. For more info: www.planblue.com

iCaune’s DRACONAV solution is a fully integrated and secure multi-GNSS module designed to provide confidence and improve resilience in the position, velocity and time computed from satellite navigation systems. From an investor they are looking to accelerate business and marketing development, and receive help in financing R&D and recruiting new technical staff. For more information: www.fdc.fr/draconav/

Vake is a ship tracking system that can be used to fight illegal fishing and smuggling. When navigational messages get lost, scrambled or switched off, Vake can verify a ship’s position and movements using satellite images and by running "face" recognition algorithms to identify a ship. They are looking for an investor with experience in offshore assets, who can build their network and provide advice on the way forward. For more information: www.vake.ai

Ansur produces innovative software solutions that optimise bandwidth use when communicating photos and videos, giving fast and precise communication of critical visual information in challenging situations, making it possible to save lives. From an investor, they are looking for advice and networks - someone that can contribute to company growth with more than funding. For more information: www.ansur.no

EPIC Blue has developed a wearable – Shyn – that offers reliable positioning both indoors and outdoors, even if GNSS is unavailable. It can be used by first responders or in industry, to locate people indoors or to increase awareness of closeness to hazards. From an investor they are looking for know-how to accelerate business development and increase their international footprint. For more information: www.shyn.blue/

Angsa Robotics has developed Germany’s first autonomous trash collection robot, which collects small pieces of rubbish left on grass or gravel, such as bottle caps or cigarette butts, that would otherwise cause ecological and economic problems. They are looking for an investor that shares their vision for a sustainable and successful high-tech company, and their principles of meaningful and impactful work. For more information: angsa-robotics.com

Deep Blue Globe is a start-up providing a solution for autonomous maritime navigation powered by artificial intelligence and using data on real time maritime traffic and weather conditions. Its Polaris service aims to help polar fisheries optimise navigation routes and identify the best fishing grounds using Earth observation, GNSS and historical catch data. They are looking for an investor involved in the maritime sector to give them the final push to enter a European market worth more than EUR 1 billion. For more information: polaris.deepblueglobe.eu

Breeze Technologies develops small-scale air quality sensors that can measure common pollutants like carbon and nitrogen oxides, ozone, particulate matter and many more. It can benefit the chronically ill, asthmatics, parents with young children, or runners looking for pollution-free routes. They are looking for an investor that shares their vision to create healthier more liveable cities. For more information: www.breeze-technologies.de

Village Data Analytics (VIDA) is an Earth observation and AI-powered custom software that enables data-driven investment, business and policy decisions in rural villages in Africa and Asia. By increasing transparency, it reduces the risk of investment in remote areas. They are looking for an investor that will help them to prioritise market opportunities and invest in new technology development and market scale-up. For more information: www.villagedata.io

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) 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 GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The latest upgrades carried out on the SAR/Galileo Local User Terminals of Spain, Cyprus and Norway, earlier in the summer are helping the International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme transition towards MEOSAR completion.

Since the declaration of its Initial Services in December 2016, Galileo has been going from strength to strength, enabling a multitude of new solutions across all market segments. One of the system’s unique capability that is being provided uninterrupted since day one is the Search and Rescue (SAR) service together with the pioneering Galileo Return Link Service. 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. 

Galileo SAR ground infrastructure supporting the "invisible’’ space segment 

From emitting a distress signal to being rescued by emergency responders, the Galileo signals travel 23,000 km from the ground to space and back. When a person in distress activates a Galileo enabled emergency beacon, the Galileo satellites capture the signal and transmit it to three ground stations strategically deployed across Europe called ‘’MEOLUTs’’ (Medium Earth Orbit Local User Terminals) which calculate the precise location of the person in destress. Once the location is determined, it is transmitted to different Mission Control Centres (MCCs) around the world that coordinate the rescue operations. It is only when the MCCs are informed about a potential incident that the Galileo Return Link Service is activated. The user then receives back via the Galileo satellites a confirmation message that their position is known and that help is on the way.

The European MEOLUTs are an integral part of the Galileo SAR ground segment. The three MEOLUTs based in Larnaca (Cyprus), Maspalomas (Spain) and Spitsbergen (Norway) are equipped with 12 measurement antennas (4 antennas per station). For a more robust performance and coverage, the twelve antennas are further coordinated and optimized by a specific facility called MEOLUT Tracking Coordination Facility deployed in Toulouse (France).

MEOLUTs update bringing the Medium Earth Orbit SAR System one step closer to Full Operational Capability (FOC)

The MEOSAR system offers many advantages to SAR operations such as near real-time worldwide coverage and faster detection and localisation services to all end users. To support the transition towards the FOC of the MEOSAR system, the European MEOLUTs were upgraded during the course of the past months and an extensive test campaign was conducted. The results met the operational, performance and functional requirements specified in the COSPAS-SARSAT documentation to allow operations at a MEOSAR FOC performance level. The results were reviewed by a COSPAS-SARSAT dedicated expert working group in October which recommended the approval.

The European MEOLUTs are the first to achieve such level of performance. This millstone coupled with an upgrade at the Mission Control Centers in Cyprus, Spain and Norway will be of big relevance when COSPAS-SARSAT determines MEOSAR’s readiness to Full Operational Capability.

The Larnaca MEOLUT facility has been installed on Makarios Teleport site. It is an isolated area close to the southern shore of Cyprus between the coastal towns of Limassol and Larnaca. It is operated by Cyprus Telecommunication Authorities and is connected to the Cyprus Mission Control Centre. 

The Maspalomas MEOLUT facility has been installed on the Maspalomas Space Station site on the Spanish Canary island of Gran Canaria. It is operated by INTA (National Institute for Aerospace Technology in Spain) and is connected to the Spanish Mission Control Centre.

The Spitsbergen MEOLUT facility has been installed on the SvalSat Satellite Ground Station site at the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. It is operated by Kongsberg Satellite Services and is connected to the Norwegian Mission Control Centre.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) 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 GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The latest upgrades carried out on the SAR/Galileo Local User Terminals of Spain, Cyprus and Norway, earlier in the summer are helping the International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme transition towards MEOSAR completion.

Since the declaration of its Initial Services in December 2016, Galileo has been going from strength to strength, enabling a multitude of new solutions across all market segments. One of the system’s unique capability that is being provided uninterrupted since day one is the Search and Rescue (SAR) service together with the pioneering Galileo Return Link Service. 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. 

Galileo SAR ground infrastructure supporting the "invisible’’ space segment 

From emitting a distress signal to being rescued by emergency responders, the Galileo signals travel 23,000 km from the ground to space and back. When a person in distress activates a Galileo enabled emergency beacon, the Galileo satellites capture the signal and transmit it to three ground stations strategically deployed across Europe called ‘’MEOLUTs’’ (Medium Earth Orbit Local User Terminals) which calculate the precise location of the person in destress. Once the location is determined, it is transmitted to different Mission Control Centres (MCCs) around the world that coordinate the rescue operations. It is only when the MCCs are informed about a potential incident that the Galileo Return Link Service is activated. The user then receives back via the Galileo satellites a confirmation message that their position is known and that help is on the way.

The European MEOLUTs are an integral part of the Galileo SAR ground segment. The three MEOLUTs based in Larnaca (Cyprus), Maspalomas (Spain) and Spitsbergen (Norway) are equipped with 12 measurement antennas (4 antennas per station). For a more robust performance and coverage, the twelve antennas are further coordinated and optimized by a specific facility called MEOLUT Tracking Coordination Facility deployed in Toulouse (France).

MEOLUTs update bringing the Medium Earth Orbit SAR System one step closer to Full Operational Capability (FOC)

The MEOSAR system offers many advantages to SAR operations such as near real-time worldwide coverage and faster detection and localisation services to all end users. To support the transition towards the FOC of the MEOSAR system, the European MEOLUTs were upgraded during the course of the past months and an extensive test campaign was conducted. The results met the operational, performance and functional requirements specified in the COSPAS-SARSAT documentation to allow operations at a MEOSAR FOC performance level. The results were reviewed by a COSPAS-SARSAT dedicated expert working group in October which recommended the approval.

The European MEOLUTs are the first to achieve such level of performance. This milestone coupled with an upgrade at the Mission Control Centers in Cyprus, Spain and Norway will be of big relevance when COSPAS-SARSAT determines MEOSAR’s readiness to Full Operational Capability.

The Larnaca MEOLUT facility has been installed on Makarios Teleport site. It is an isolated area close to the southern shore of Cyprus between the coastal towns of Limassol and Larnaca. It is operated by Cyprus Telecommunication Authorities and is connected to the Cyprus Mission Control Centre. 

The Maspalomas MEOLUT facility has been installed on the Maspalomas Space Station site on the Spanish Canary island of Gran Canaria. It is operated by INTA (National Institute for Aerospace Technology in Spain) and is connected to the Spanish Mission Control Centre.

The Spitsbergen MEOLUT facility has been installed on the SvalSat Satellite Ground Station site at the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. It is operated by Kongsberg Satellite Services and is connected to the Norwegian Mission Control Centre.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) 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 GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The latest upgrades carried out on the SAR/Galileo Local User Terminals of Spain, Cyprus and Norway, earlier in the summer are helping the International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme transition towards MEOSAR completion.

Since the declaration of its Initial Services in December 2016, Galileo has enabled a multitude of new solutions across all market segments. One of the system’s unique capability that is being provided uninterrupted since day one is the Search and Rescue (SAR) service together with the pioneering Galileo Return Link Service. 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. 

Galileo SAR ground infrastructure supporting the "invisible’’ space segment 

From emitting a distress signal to being rescued by emergency responders, the Galileo signals travel 23,000 km from the ground to space and back. When a person in distress activates a Galileo enabled emergency beacon, the Galileo satellites capture the signal and transmit it to three ground stations strategically deployed across Europe called ‘’MEOLUTs’’ (Medium Earth Orbit Local User Terminals) which calculate the precise location of the person in distress. Once the location is determined, it is transmitted to different Mission Control Centres (MCCs) around the world that coordinate the rescue operations. It is only when the MCCs are informed about a potential incident that the Galileo Return Link Service is activated. The user then receives back via the Galileo satellites a confirmation message that their position is known and that help is on the way.

The European MEOLUTs are an integral part of the Galileo SAR ground segment. The three MEOLUTs based in Larnaca (Cyprus), Maspalomas (Spain) and Spitsbergen (Norway) are equipped with 12 measurement antennas (4 antennas per station). For a more robust performance and coverage, the twelve antennas are further coordinated and optimized by a specific facility called MEOLUT Tracking Coordination Facility deployed in Toulouse (France).

MEOLUTs update bringing the Medium Earth Orbit SAR System one step closer to Full Operational Capability (FOC)

The MEOSAR system offers many advantages to SAR operations such as near real-time worldwide coverage and faster detection and localisation services to all end users. To support the transition towards the FOC of the MEOSAR system, the European MEOLUTs were upgraded during the course of the past months and an extensive test campaign was conducted. The results met the operational, performance and functional requirements specified in the COSPAS-SARSAT documentation to allow operations at a MEOSAR FOC performance level. The results were reviewed by a COSPAS-SARSAT dedicated expert working group in October which recommended the approval.

The European MEOLUTs are the first to achieve such level of performance. This milestone coupled with an upgrade at the Mission Control Centers in Cyprus, Spain and Norway will be of big relevance when COSPAS-SARSAT determines MEOSAR’s readiness to Full Operational Capability.

The Larnaca MEOLUT facility has been installed on Makarios Teleport site. It is an isolated area close to the southern shore of Cyprus between the coastal towns of Limassol and Larnaca. It is operated by Cyprus Telecommunication Authorities and is connected to the Cyprus Mission Control Centre. 

The Maspalomas MEOLUT facility has been installed on the Maspalomas Space Station site on the Spanish Canary island of Gran Canaria. It is operated by INTA (National Institute for Aerospace Technology in Spain) and is connected to the Spanish Mission Control Centre.

The Spitsbergen MEOLUT facility has been installed on the SvalSat Satellite Ground Station site at the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. It is operated by Kongsberg Satellite Services and is connected to the Norwegian Mission Control Centre.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) 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 GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The latest upgrades carried out on the SAR/Galileo Local User Terminals of Spain, Cyprus and Norway, earlier in the summer are helping the International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme transition towards MEOSAR completion.

Since the declaration of its Initial Services in December 2016, Galileo has been going from strength to strength, enabling a multitude of new solutions across all market segments. One of the system’s unique capability that is being provided uninterrupted since day one is the Search and Rescue (SAR) service together with the pioneering Galileo Return Link Service. 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. 

Galileo SAR ground infrastructure supporting the "invisible’’ space segment 

From emitting a distress signal to being rescued by emergency responders, the Galileo signals travel 23,000 km from the ground to space and back. When a person in distress activates a Galileo enabled emergency beacon, the Galileo satellites capture the signal and transmit it to three ground stations strategically deployed across Europe called ‘’MEOLUTs’’ (Medium Earth Orbit Local User Terminals) which calculate the precise location of the person in destress. Once the location is determined, it is transmitted to different Mission Control Centres (MCCs) around the world that coordinate the rescue operations. It is only when the MCCs are informed about a potential incident that the Galileo Return Link Service is activated. The user then receives back via the Galileo satellites a confirmation message that their position is known and that help is on the way.

The European MEOLUTs are an integral part of the Galileo SAR ground segment. The three MEOLUTs based in Larnaca (Cyprus), Maspalomas (Spain) and Spitsbergen (Norway) are equipped with 12 measurement antennas (4 antennas per station). For a more robust performance and coverage, the twelve antennas are further coordinated and optimized by a specific facility called MEOLUT Tracking Coordination Facility deployed in Toulouse (France).

MEOLUTs update bringing the Medium Earth Orbit SAR System one step closer to Full Operational Capability (FOC)

The MEOSAR system offers many advantages to SAR operations such as near real-time worldwide coverage and faster detection and localisation services to all end users. To support the transition towards the FOC of the MEOSAR system, the European MEOLUTs were upgraded during the course of the past months and an extensive test campaign was conducted. The results met the operational, performance and functional requirements specified in the COSPAS-SARSAT documentation to allow operations at a MEOSAR FOC performance level. The results were reviewed by a COSPAS-SARSAT dedicated expert working group in October which recommended the approval.

The European MEOLUTs are the first to achieve such level of performance. This millstone coupled with an upgrade at the Mission Control Centers in Cyprus, Spain and Norway will be of big relevance when COSPAS-SARSAT determines MEOSAR’s readiness to Full Operational Capability.

The Larnaca MEOLUT facility has been installed on Makarios Teleport site. It is an isolated area close to the southern shore of Cyprus between the coastal towns of Limassol and Larnaca. It is operated by Cyprus Telecommunication Authorities and is connected to the Cyprus Mission Control Centre. 

The Maspalomas MEOLUT facility has been installed on the Maspalomas Space Station site on the Spanish Canary island of Gran Canaria. It is operated by INTA (National Institute for Aerospace Technology in Spain) and is connected to the Spanish Mission Control Centre.

The Spitsbergen MEOLUT facility has been installed on the SvalSat Satellite Ground Station site at the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. It is operated by Kongsberg Satellite Services and is connected to the Norwegian Mission Control Centre.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) 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 GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

A session on Horizon 2020 success stories, held on the final day of European Space Week, highlighted some of the innovative projects that took advantage of EU H2020 funding to develop ideas leveraging Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus, or synergies between the programmes, to produce products for the market. The session included some valuable advice for anyone thinking about applying for funding.

Kicking off the session, GSA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa noted the importance of the downstream space sector in terms of job and value creation. “Innovation and the increasing volume of data and services available, are contributing to the sustainable growth of EU start-ups, SMEs and companies,” he said, adding that success stories from Horizon 2020 were proof that EU investment support is essential for innovation. 

Looking to the future, da Costa said that the GSA would continue its work with Horizon Europe, building on the successes of Horizon 2020. “The next period will bring additional investment and instruments to the downstream space segment,” he said.

Read this: Let us have your feedback on Galileo/EGNOS – User satisfaction survey launched

The representative from the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) also noted that the downstream sector is an area of growth where many jobs are created, adding that tomorrow’s space applications would pave the way for a whole range of innovative applications for European industry. He also introduced the EUR 1-billion CASSINI (Competitive Space Start-ups for INnovatIon) initiative, which aims to expand the number of start-ups creating businesses based on innovative EU space technologies.

The voice of experience

A number of successful Horizon 2020 projects gave their advice to other projects considering applying for EU support. The need to put together a strong team was something that many of the successful projects advised. Isabel Botey from the DCS4COP project said that it is necessary to gather a strong team of experts, and have a strong vision and an easy to understand strategy. “Talk to customers. They are the best consultants for a successful business,” she said.

Ernst Pfeiffer from the Large European Antenna project (Project LEA) advised projects to apply for funding only if its fits exactly with their project’s specialisation. “Select your team carefully and involve your national contact point for advice and recommendations,” he said. Linda Moser from the EcoLaSS project advised applicants to have a strong vision that goes beyond tomorrow’s state of the art and meets societal challenges. She said that, as projects can last for a long time, it is important to ensure that the results will still be relevant by the project’s end. 

And this: High accuracy and synergies in focus at UCP

Raúl Arnau Prieto from Greenpatrol advised applicants to prepare their proposal well in advance and match their technical challenges to the scope of the call, while Pedro Russo from SpaceEU advised to build a consortium that truly cares about the challenge that the project addresses.

Winding up the session, MEP Cristophe Grudler noted that the projects presented during the session showed how dynamic the EU space sector is, and proved that EU investment is key to support competitiveness and innovation in the EU space industry.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) 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 GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

A session on Horizon 2020 success stories, held on the final day of European Space Week, highlighted some of the innovative projects that took advantage of EU H2020 funding to develop ideas leveraging Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus, or synergies between the programmes, to produce products for the market. The session included some valuable advice for anyone thinking about applying for funding.

Kicking off the session, GSA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa noted the importance of the downstream space sector in terms of job and value creation. “Innovation and the increasing volume of data and services available, are contributing to the sustainable growth of EU start-ups, SMEs and companies,” he said, adding that success stories from Horizon 2020 were proof that EU investment support is essential for innovation. 

Looking to the future, da Costa said that the GSA would continue its work with Horizon Europe, building on the successes of Horizon 2020. “The next period will bring additional investment and instruments to the downstream space segment,” he said.

Read this: Let us have your feedback on Galileo/EGNOS – User satisfaction survey launched

The representative from the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) also noted that the downstream sector is an area of growth where many jobs are created, adding that tomorrow’s space applications would pave the way for a whole range of innovative applications for European industry. He also introduced the EUR 1-billion CASSINI (Competitive Space Start-ups for INnovatIon) initiative, which aims to expand the number of start-ups creating businesses based on innovative EU space technologies.

The voice of experience

A number of successful Horizon 2020 projects gave their advice to other projects considering applying for EU support. The need to put together a strong team was something that many of the successful projects advised. Isabel Botey from the DCS4COP project said that it is necessary to gather a strong team of experts, and have a strong vision and an easy to understand strategy. “Talk to customers. They are the best consultants for a successful business,” she said.

Ernst Pfeiffer from the Large European Antenna project (Project LEA) advised projects to apply for funding only if its fits exactly with their project’s specialisation. “Select your team carefully and involve your national contact point for advice and recommendations,” he said. Linda Moser from the EcoLaSS project advised applicants to have a strong vision that goes beyond tomorrow’s state of the art and meets societal challenges. She said that, as projects can last for a long time, it is important to ensure that the results will still be relevant by the project’s end. 

And this: High accuracy and synergies in focus at UCP

Raúl Arnau Prieto from Greenpatrol advised applicants to prepare their proposal well in advance and match their technical challenges to the scope of the call, while Pedro Russo from SpaceEU advised to build a consortium that truly cares about the challenge that the project addresses.

Winding up the session, MEP Cristophe Grudler noted that the projects presented during the session showed how dynamic the EU space sector is, and proved that EU investment is key to support competitiveness and innovation in the EU space industry.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) 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 GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

A session on Horizon 2020 success stories, held on the final day of European Space Week, highlighted some of the innovative projects that took advantage of EU H2020 funding to develop ideas leveraging Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus, or synergies between the programmes, to produce products for the market. The session included some valuable advice for anyone thinking about applying for funding.

Kicking off the session, GSA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa noted the importance of the downstream space sector in terms of job and value creation. “Innovation and the increasing volume of data and services available, are contributing to the sustainable growth of EU start-ups, SMEs and companies,” he said, adding that success stories from Horizon 2020 were proof that EU investment support is essential for innovation. 

Looking to the future, da Costa said that the GSA would continue its work with Horizon Europe, building on the successes of Horizon 2020. “The next period will bring additional investment and instruments to the downstream space segment,” he said.

Read this: Let us have your feedback on Galileo/EGNOS – User satisfaction survey launched

The representative from the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) also noted that the downstream sector is an area of growth where many jobs are created, adding that tomorrow’s space applications would pave the way for a whole range of innovative applications for European industry. He also introduced the EUR 1-billion CASSINI (Competitive Space Start-ups for INnovatIon) initiative, which aims to expand the number of start-ups creating businesses based on innovative EU space technologies.

The voice of experience

A number of successful Horizon 2020 projects gave their advice to other projects considering applying for EU support. The need to put together a strong team was something that many of the successful projects advised. Isabel Botey from the DCS4COP project said that it is necessary to gather a strong team of experts, and have a strong vision and an easy to understand strategy. “Talk to customers. They are the best consultants for a successful business,” she said.

Ernst Pfeiffer from the Large European Antenna project (Project LEA) advised projects to apply for funding only if its fits exactly with their project’s specialisation. “Select your team carefully and involve your national contact point for advice and recommendations,” he said. Linda Moser from the EcoLaSS project advised applicants to have a strong vision that goes beyond tomorrow’s state of the art and meets societal challenges. She said that, as projects can last for a long time, it is important to ensure that the results will still be relevant by the project’s end. 

And this: High accuracy and synergies in focus at UCP

Raúl Arnau Prieto from Greenpatrol advised applicants to prepare their proposal well in advance and match their technical challenges to the scope of the call, while Pedro Russo from SpaceEU advised to build a consortium that truly cares about the challenge that the project addresses.

Winding up the session, MEP Cristophe Grudler noted that the projects presented during the session showed how dynamic the EU space sector is, and proved that EU investment is key to support competitiveness and innovation in the EU space industry.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) 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 GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).