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Introduction of the first GPS III satellites into EGNOS services was successfully achieved on 27 July 2020, following the initiation by GPS of a transition from its “GPS Block II” satellites to its new generation “GPS Block III" satellites.

The GPS operational constellation started in 2020 to migrate from GPS II satellites to the new generation GPS III satellites. Through cooperation exchanges with the US, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA) obtained assurance on the “backward compatibility” of the GPS III satellites with regard to GPS II, and in particular concerning their failure characteristics.

Step-wise approach 

Based on this, the GSA developed a step-wise approach to accelerate the introduction of GPS-III into the EGNOS system, overwriting the initial plan for GPS III system qualification within EGNOS 242B System release development.

As a first step, the GSA implemented a fast-track process to be as quick as possible while staying safe and respectful of the roles and obligations of the Service Provider and of the Product manufacturer.

Read this: EGNOS procedures implemented in Vilnius

For this purpose, the GSA has organized and performed, with the support of the European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP), Thales Alenia Space France (TAS-F) and the European Space Agency (ESA), a careful safety assessment, based on design analyses and a dedicated ad-hoc measurement campaign. This has allowed the GSA to substantiate and approve the introduction of the first two GPS-III (PRN-4 and PRN-18) into the EGNOS Design Safety Case.

Based on this, ESSP submitted the proposed change, along with its safety assessment, to the EASA change oversight process, resulting in an authorisation from EASA delivered on 23 July 2020. Following this, ESSP upgraded the EGNOS operational baseline and the first two GPS III satellites were successfully introduced into the EGNOS Signal in Space on 27 July 2020.

The improvements brought to the EGNOS SoL service performance were already noticeable by the EGNOS users since that day.

Next steps

And this: EC launches study on EGNOS integrity concept for road applications

In the short term, a few more GPS III satellites are expected to be put into operation by the US. In fact, a third GPS-III satellite has already been launched on 30 June 2020 and is planned to be commissioned in August 2020, while a fourth GPS-III is planned to be launched in 30 Sept 2020.

The GSA is currently planning to extend its fast-track process in order to introduce these additional GPS III satellites into operations, until the delivery and entry into service of the next major System release (ESR 242A) in 2021 which will be also updated to GPS III.

Some background

On 13 January 2020, the first GPS III satellite (SVN-74 delivering PRN-04 signal modulation) was commissioned by the US. Then, on 9 March 2020, the GPS II satellite (SVN-60 delivering PRN-23 signal modulation) used by EGNOS, and located on the same orbital slot than this first GPS III (SVN-74), was decommissioned. 

The use of the GPS III satellites by EGNOS was not yet qualified in any EGNOS system release, as this qualification was to be procured as part of the 242B development, delivery of which is expected in 2022. 

Consequently, the transition from GPS II to GPS III reduced the GPS constellation available for delivering EGNOS services and degraded EGNOS services in some areas. Several airports in Finland entered “contingency mode”. The average SoL service availability performance was reduced from the committed 99% to 98%. Communication to users was ensured by the EGNOS Service Provider as per EGNOS Working Agreements in place.

On 9 July 2020, a third GPS II satellite was decommissioned (SVN-41 – PRN-14). Due to its co-location with the SVN-70 (which is a more recent GPS-IIF satellite), this decommissioning did not have any significant impact on the EGNOS service performances.

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).

Introduction of the first GPS III satellites into EGNOS services was successfully achieved on 27 July 2020, following the initiation by GPS of a transition from its “GPS Block II” satellites to its new generation “GPS Block III satellites”.

The GPS operational constellation started in 2020 to migrate from GPS II satellites to the new generation GPS III satellites. Through cooperation exchanges with the US, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA) obtained assurance on the “backward compatibility” of the GPS III satellites with regard to GPS II, and in particular concerning their failure characteristics.

Step-wise approach 

Based on this, the GSA developed a step-wise approach to accelerate the introduction of GPS-III into the EGNOS system, overwriting the initial plan for GPS III system qualification within EGNOS 242B System release development.

As a first step, the GSA implemented a fast-track process to be as quick as possible while staying safe and respectful of the roles and obligations of the Service Provider and of the Product manufacturer.

Read this: EGNOS procedures implemented in Vilnius

For this purpose, the GSA has organized and performed, with the support of the European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP), Thales Alenia Space France (TAS-F) and the European Space Agency (ESA), a careful safety assessment, based on design analyses and a dedicated ad-hoc measurement campaign. This has allowed the GSA to substantiate and approve the introduction of the first two GPS-III (PRN-4 and PRN-18) into the EGNOS Design Safety Case.

Based on this, ESSP submitted the proposed change, along with its safety assessment, to the EASA change oversight process, resulting in an authorisation from EASA delivered on 23 July 2020. Following this, ESSP upgraded the EGNOS operational baseline and the first two GPS III satellites were successfully introduced into the EGNOS Signal in Space on 27 July 2020.

The improvements brought to the EGNOS SoL service performance were already noticeable by the EGNOS users since that day.

Next steps

And this: EC launches study on EGNOS integrity concept for road applications

In the short term, a few more GPS III satellites are expected to be put into operation by the US. In fact, a third GPS-III satellite has already been launched on 30 June 2020 and is planned to be commissioned in August 2020, while a fourth GPS-III is planned to be launched in 30 Sept 2020.

The GSA is currently planning to extend its fast-track process in order to introduce these additional GPS III satellites into operations, until the delivery and entry into service of the next major System release (ESR 242A) in 2021 which will be also updated to GPS III.

Some background

On 13 January 2020, the first GPS III satellite (SVN-74 delivering PRN-04 signal modulation) was commissioned by the US. Then, on 9 March 2020, the GPS II satellite (SVN-60 delivering PRN-23 signal modulation) used by EGNOS, and located on the same orbital slot than this first GPS III (SVN-74), was decommissioned. 

The use of the GPS III satellites by EGNOS was not yet qualified in any EGNOS system release, as this qualification was to be procured as part of the 242B development, delivery of which is expected in 2022. 

Consequently, the transition from GPS II to GPS III reduced the GPS constellation available for delivering EGNOS services and degraded EGNOS services in some areas. Several airports in Finland entered “contingency mode”. The average SoL service availability performance was reduced from the committed 99% to 98%. Communication to users was ensured by the EGNOS Service Provider as per EGNOS Working Agreements in place.

On 9 July 2020, a third GPS II satellite was decommissioned (SVN-41 – PRN-14). Due to its co-location with the SVN-70 (which is a more recent GPS-IIF satellite), this decommissioning did not have any significant impact on the EGNOS service performances.

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).

Introduction of the first GPS III satellites into EGNOS services was successfully achieved on 27 July 2020, following the initiation by GPS of a transition from its “GPS Block II” satellites to its new generation “GPS Block III satellites”.

The GPS operational constellation started in 2020 to migrate from GPS II satellites to the new generation GPS III satellites. Through cooperation exchanges with the US, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA) obtained assurance on the “backward compatibility” of the GPS III satellites with regard to GPS II, and in particular concerning their failure characteristics.

Step-wise approach 

Based on this, the GSA developed a step-wise approach to accelerate the introduction of GPS-III into the EGNOS system, overwriting the initial plan for GPS III system qualification within EGNOS 242B System release development.

As a first step, the GSA implemented a fast-track process to be as quick as possible while staying safe and respectful of the roles and obligations of the Service Provider and of the Product manufacturer.

Read this: EGNOS procedures implemented in Vilnius

For this purpose, the GSA has organized and performed, with the support of the European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP), Thales Alenia Space France (TAS-F) and the European Space Agency (ESA), a careful safety assessment, based on design analyses and a dedicated ad-hoc measurement campaign. This has allowed the GSA to substantiate and approve the introduction of the first two GPS-III (PRN-4 and PRN-18) into the EGNOS Design Safety Case.

Based on this, ESSP submitted the proposed change, along with its safety assessment, to the EASA change oversight process, resulting in an authorisation from EASA delivered on 23 July 2020. Following this, ESSP upgraded the EGNOS operational baseline and the first two GPS III satellites were successfully introduced into the EGNOS Signal in Space on 27 July 2020.

The improvements brought to the EGNOS SoL service performance were already noticeable by the EGNOS users since that day.

Next steps

And this:EC launches study on EGNOS integrity concept for road applications

In the short term, a few more GPS III satellites are expected to be put into operation by the US. In fact, a third GPS-III satellite has already been launched on 30 June 2020 and is planned to be commissioned in August 2020, while a fourth GPS-III is planned to be launched on 30 Sept 2020.

The GSA is currently planning to extend its fast-track process in order to introduce these additional GPS III satellites into operations, until the delivery and entry into service of the next major System release (ESR 242A) in 2021 which will be also updated to GPS III.

Some background

On 13 January 2020, the first GPS III satellite (SVN-74 delivering PRN-04 signal modulation) was commissioned by the US. Then, on 9 March 2020, the GPS II satellite (SVN-60 delivering PRN-23 signal modulation) used by EGNOS, and located on the same orbital slot than this first GPS III (SVN-74), was decommissioned. 

The use of the GPS III satellites by EGNOS was not yet qualified in any EGNOS system release, as this qualification was to be procured as part of the 242B development, delivery of which is expected in 2022. 

Consequently, the transition from GPS II to GPS III reduced the GPS constellation available for delivering EGNOS services and degraded EGNOS services in some areas. Several airports in Finland entered “contingency mode”. The average SoL service availability performance was reduced from the committed 99% to 98%. Communication to users was ensured by the EGNOS Service Provider as per EGNOS Working Agreements in place.

On 9 July 2020, a third GPS II satellite was decommissioned (SVN-41 – PRN-14). Due to its co-location with the SVN-70 (which is a more recent GPS-IIF satellite), this decommissioning did not have any significant impact on the EGNOS service performances.

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).

Introduction of the first GPS III satellites into EGNOS services was successfully achieved on 27 July 2020, following the initiation by GPS of a transition from its “GPS Block II” satellites to its new generation “GPS Block III satellites”.

The GPS operational constellation started in 2020 to migrate from GPS II satellites to the new generation GPS III satellites. Through cooperation exchanges with the US, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA) obtained assurance on the “backward compatibility” of the GPS III satellites with regard to GPS II, and in particular concerning their failure characteristics.

Step-wise approach 

Based on this, the GSA developed a step-wise approach to accelerate the introduction of GPS-III into the EGNOS system, overwriting the initial plan for GPS III system qualification within EGNOS 242B System release development.

As a first step, the GSA implemented a fast-track process to be as quick as possible while staying safe and respectful of the roles and obligations of the Service Provider and of the Product manufacturer.

Read this: EGNOS procedures implemented in Vilnius

For this purpose, the GSA has organized and performed, with the support of the European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP), Thales Alenia Space France (TAS-F) and the European Space Agency (ESA), a careful safety assessment, based on design analyses and a dedicated ad-hoc measurement campaign. This has allowed the GSA to substantiate and approve the introduction of the first two GPS-III (PRN-4 and PRN-18) into the EGNOS Design Safety Case.

Based on this, ESSP submitted the proposed change, along with its safety assessment, to the EASA change oversight process, resulting in an authorisation from EASA delivered on 23 July 2020. Following this, ESSP upgraded the EGNOS operational baseline and the first two GPS III satellites were successfully introduced into the EGNOS Signal in Space on 27 July 2020.

The improvements brought to the EGNOS SoL service performance were already noticeable by the EGNOS users since that day.

Next steps

And this: EC launches study on EGNOS integrity concept for road applications

In the short term, a few more GPS III satellites are expected to be put into operation by the US. In fact, a third GPS-III satellite has already been launched on 30 June 2020 and is planned to be commissioned in August 2020, while a fourth GPS-III is planned to be launched on 30 Sept 2020.

The GSA is currently planning to extend its fast-track process in order to introduce these additional GPS III satellites into operations, until the delivery and entry into service of the next major System release (ESR 242A) in 2021 which will be also updated to GPS III.

Some background

On 13 January 2020, the first GPS III satellite (SVN-74 delivering PRN-04 signal modulation) was commissioned by the US. Then, on 9 March 2020, the GPS II satellite (SVN-60 delivering PRN-23 signal modulation) used by EGNOS, and located on the same orbital slot than this first GPS III (SVN-74), was decommissioned. 

The use of the GPS III satellites by EGNOS was not yet qualified in any EGNOS system release, as this qualification was to be procured as part of the 242B development, delivery of which is expected in 2022. 

Consequently, the transition from GPS II to GPS III reduced the GPS constellation available for delivering EGNOS services and degraded EGNOS services in some areas. Several airports in Finland entered “contingency mode”. The average SoL service availability performance was reduced from the committed 99% to 98%. Communication to users was ensured by the EGNOS Service Provider as per EGNOS Working Agreements in place.

On 9 July 2020, a third GPS II satellite was decommissioned (SVN-41 – PRN-14). Due to its co-location with the SVN-70 (which is a more recent GPS-IIF satellite), this decommissioning did not have any significant impact on the EGNOS service performances.

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 deadline for the submissions of new the European Union Space Programme Agency logo has expired.

The hunt for graphic designers is over! Friday 14th August 23:59 CET was the deadline for the submission of proposals for the EUSPA Logo Contest. We would like to thank all participants who submitted their projects for the logo of the new European Union Space Programme Agency (EUSPA) and congratulate them on their enthusiasm and creativity.  A big thank you to all those who helped the Agency spread the word about the contest and reach out to new artistic communities.

The evaluation is ongoing and the selection committee, composed of experts in the field of communications, space and space user communities, will have a busy two-months reviewing the projects. The five nominated designs will be announced by mid-October 2020 and the finalists will be invited to negotiate a contract with the GSA in order for the latter to procure the logo, for a maximum budget of EUR 15.000 (fifteen thousand euros).  

We are looking forward to the unveiling of the EUSPA logo, which will become the point of reference for the EU Space and GNSS user community, and celebrating the talent of the artist behind the new EUSPA logo.

To be up to date on the latest news, keep an eye on our website and social media. For any inquires you may have, please contact: logodesign@gsa.europa.eu 

Good luck to everyone and stay tuned!  

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 deadline for the submissions of new the European Union Space Programme Agency logo has expired.

The hunt for graphic designers is over! Friday 14th August 23:59 CET was the deadline for the submission of proposals for the EUSPA Logo Contest. We would like to thank all participants who submitted their projects for the logo of the new European Union Space Programme Agency (EUSPA) and congratulate them on their enthusiasm and creativity.  A big thank you to all those who helped the Agency spread the word about the contest and reach out to new artistic communities.

The evaluation is ongoing and the selection committee, composed of experts in the field of communications, space and space user communities, will have a busy two-months reviewing the projects. The five nominated designs will be announced by mid-October 2020 and the finalists will be invited to negotiate a contract with the GSA in order for the latter to procure the logo, for a maximum budget of EUR 15.000 (fifteen thousand euros).  

We are looking forward to the unveiling of the EUSPA logo, which will become the point of reference for the EU Space and GNSS user community, and celebrating the talent of the artist behind the new EUSPA logo.

To be up to date on the latest news, keep an eye on our website and social media. For any inquires you may have, please contact: logodesign@gsa.europa.eu 

Good luck to everyone and stay tuned!  

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 deadline for the submissions of the new European Union Space Programme Agency logo has expired.

The hunt for graphic designers is over! Friday 14th August 23:59 CET was the deadline for the submission of proposals for the EUSPA Logo Contest. We would like to thank all participants who submitted their projects for the logo of the new European Union Space Programme Agency (EUSPA) and congratulate them on their enthusiasm and creativity.  A big thank you to all those who helped the Agency spread the word about the contest and reach out to new artistic communities.

The evaluation is ongoing and the selection committee, composed of experts in the field of communications, space and space user communities, will have a busy two-months reviewing the projects. The five nominated designs will be announced by mid-October 2020 and the finalists will be invited to negotiate a contract with the GSA in order for the latter to procure the logo, for a maximum budget of EUR 15.000 (fifteen thousand euros).  

We are looking forward to the unveiling of the EUSPA logo, which will become the point of reference for the EU Space and GNSS user community, and celebrating the talent of the artist behind the new EUSPA logo.

To be up to date on the latest news, keep an eye on our website and social media. For any inquires you may have, please contact: logodesign@gsa.europa.eu 

Good luck to everyone and stay tuned!  

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 European GNSS Agency and its crew touched down on the runway of the Vaclav Havel Airport in Prague to highlight the benefits of the EU Space Programme in the Czech Republic.

GSA’s crew took part to the Runway Park 2020, an event gathering aviation enthusiasts, plane spotters and families, held at the old runway of Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport. During the event, the apron is transformed into an open-air exhibition offering a wide range of activities for all age groups.  True to its mission – linking space to user needs - the European GNSS Agency was there to raise awareness about the EU Space programme and the benefits it is already delivering to citizens and business alike.  

With over 2000 visitors, at the GSA stand, people had the chance to experience and learn about applications based on the EU Space Programme, in particular Galileo and EGNOS. The lifesaving capabilities of the EU space technologies took centre stage when visitors experienced a helicopter rescue on the snow-capped Alps with the help of Galileo, while crafty hands were busy honing their space skills by building small scale satellite mock-ups, taking quizzes and winning prizes.

A highlight of this four-day event was the “Land with EGNOS” flight simulator. Visitors were able to “land” an Airbus A350 using EGNOS, the EU’s regional navigation system that provides the additional reliability essential for applications where position integrity is critical, such as in the aviation sector.

Read this: EGNOS goes from strength to strength

“EGNOS is a win-win solution for the airliners, the airports and the ANSP´s. It makes airports accessible under bad weather conditions while it is central to the safety of passengers and crew. EGNOS based approach procedures can be implemented at many airports without the need to invest in conventional facilities. Such procedures are published at all airports where Air Navigation Service of the Czech Republic provides services and air carriers can benefit from increased safety and accessibility of the airports,“ said Jan Klas, Director General at the Air Navigation Service of the Czech Republic.

Prague Airport, an early adopter of the EGNOS technology, will soon release a Corporate Social Responsibility report emphasizing how the system can help the airport go greener.

“Investing in EU Space technology is pivotal for rolling out cleaner forms of transport while ensuring a sustainable European economy. To this day, more than 350 European airports have implemented EGNOS procedures, and the GSA is working with Member States, airlines, air traffic regulators and airports to increase this number and accelerate progress towards the ambitious EU Green Deal,” concludes Pascal Claudel, Acting Executive Director at the GSA.

The European GNSS Agency and its crew touched down on the runway of the Vaclav Havel Airport in Prague to highlight the benefits of the EU Space Programme in the Czech Republic.

GSA’s crew took part to the Runway Park 2020, an event gathering aviation enthusiasts, plane spotters and families, held at the old runway of Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport. During the event, the apron is transformed into an open-air exhibition offering a wide range of activities for all age groups.  True to its mission – linking space to user needs - the European GNSS Agency was there to raise awareness about the EU Space programme and the benefits it is already delivering to citizens and business alike.  

With over 2000 visitors, at the GSA stand, people had the chance to experience and learn about applications based on the EU Space Programme, in particular Galileo and EGNOS. The lifesaving capabilities of the EU space technologies took centre stage when visitors experienced a helicopter rescue on the snow-capped Alps with the help of Galileo, while crafty hands were busy honing their space skills by building small scale satellite mock-ups, taking quizzes and winning prizes.

A highlight of this four-day event was the “Land with EGNOS” flight simulator. Visitors were able to “land” an Airbus A350 using EGNOS, the EU’s regional navigation system that provides the additional reliability essential for applications where position integrity is critical, such as in the aviation sector.

Read this: EGNOS goes from strength to strength

EGNOS is a win-win solution for both airlines and airports. It makes airports accessible under bad weather conditions while it is central to the safety of both passengers and the crew. Furthermore, EGNOS reduces the amount of noise and emissions produced by the aircraft during the approach.

Prague Airport, an early adopter of the EGNOS technology, will soon release a Corporate Social Responsibility report emphasizing how the system can help the airport go greener.

“Investing in EU Space technology is pivotal for rolling out cleaner forms of transport while ensuring a sustainable European economy. To this day, more than 350 European airports have implemented EGNOS procedures, and the GSA is working with Member States, airlines, air traffic regulators and airports to increase this number and accelerate progress towards the ambitious EU Green Deal,” concludes Pascal Claudel, Acting Executive Director at the GSA.