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The MAGNIFIC project promoted international cooperation with a view to enabling the development of EGNSS applications in Africa. Several months after the project ended it is continuing to deliver results, as indicated by a recent contract signed by Togo and Thales Alenia Space to install a new search and rescue (SAR) ground station in Lomé.

The core aim of the MAGNIFIC (Multiplying in Africa European Global Navigation Initiatives Fostering Interlaced Cooperation) project, which was funded in the Horizon 2020 1st Galileo call, was to demonstrate the benefits of EGNSS (EGNOS and Galileo) to African stakeholders. The project focused in particular on the six priority market sectors identified in the GSA Action Plan on GNSS applications: road, aviation, maritime, precision, agriculture/environment protection, civil protection and surveillance, and LBS.

EGNSS - a catalyst for development

The effectiveness of the project’s EGNSS promotion work is evidenced by the recent signing of a contract between Togo and Thales Alenia Space for a ground station to be installed in Lomé, Togo, to be used in search and rescue (SAR) operations, mainly using the Galileo satellite positioning system. Based on Thales Alenia Space’s MEOLUT Next (Medium Orbit Local User Terminal), the latest-generation MEOSAR (Medium Orbit Search and Rescue) technology, this system will enable the instantaneous location, with unprecedented accuracy, of a distress call issued by a beacon operating through the COSPAS-SARSAT system.

Read this: GSA hosts Cospas-Sarsat meeting

“In addition to being a great commercial achievement, this contract clearly shows that Togo is taking a leading role in adopting EGNSS applications in Africa. More importantly, it shows us that Africa is a continent that sees Galileo and EGNOSas a catalyst for development. This is a clear, direct and positive result of the strategy we, as a consortium, implemented within MAGNIFIC,” Thales Alenia Space Systems Engineer Michel Monnerat said. “I am sure this first step will pave the way for many future successes in Africa,” he added.

Fully integrated

The fully integrated ground station comprises a compact, high-tech beam-shaping antenna capable of taking maximum advantage of Galileo’s SAR service, a Mission Control Centre (MCC) dedicated to managing and distributing alerts, and a Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC), which interfaces with systems already in place locally or in neighbouring countries.

The ground station will detect and locate any distress signal triggered by a ship, plane or land vehicle, thus enhancing the safety of people and goods. The unexcelled coverage provided by the beam-shaping antenna will allow Togo to receive distress signals over a radius of more than 3,000 kilometres, which means it will cover the entire Gulf of Guinea and a large part of the African continent.

Long-lasting impact

Togo was a particular target of the MAGNIFIC project, which recognised the presence of key economic drivers in the country that were compatible with the development of EGNSS. In the field of civil aviation, two LPV procedures were designed at Lomé airport, achieving minima of 250 feet, compared to 400 feet for existing LNAV procedures, and the feedback from the pilots was extremely positive. The results of this flight campaign were presented during the project’s final conference in Lomé.

Lomé hosted both MAGNIFIC’s first “European GNSS Applications Conference in Africa” in 2015 and the final conference in 2017. The contract between Togo and Thales Alenia Space bears testimony to the long-lasting impact of the Horizon 2020 project.

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 contribution of Europe’s space programmes Galileo and Copernicus in building sustainable and resilient societies was in focus at the ‘My Planet, My Future: Space for the Sustainable Development Goals’ exhibition, launched at United Nations HQ in New York on July 10 and set to run until September 5.

Opening the exhibition, which showcases satellite images and videos that illustrate space technology’s contribution to the achievement of the SDGs, Pierre Delsaux, Deputy Director General at the European Commission's Directorate General for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises said: “This is an excellent opportunity to show how the European Union’s space programme can contribute to the benefit of the entire planet.”

Delivering real services

This contribution was highlighted in a recent joint study from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), which showed that 40% of the 169 indicators underpinning the 17 SDGs are reliant on the use of space-based science and technology.

Read this: European GNSS and the environment

Speaking at the event, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said that while the contribution of space services to communications, business and the economy is increasingly recognised, awareness of the benefits that space-based solutions can bring to the health, well-being and sustainability of the planet needs to be better understood.

“As the only European Union agency operating and delivering space services, the GSA is dedicated to ensuring that EU investment in independent, civil run satellite navigation systems deliver real services and benefits for people and the planet,” des Dorides said.

In his address, des Dorides noted that the synergy of Galileo and Copernicus supports the Zero Hunger, Climate Action and Better Life on Land goals through precision agriculture applications that optimise crop production. He also noted that the EU Space Programme directly contributes to the goal on Climate Action by supporting urban development and smart cities planning. “This is especially critical given that more than 60% of the global population will live in cities by 2030,” he said.

Stakeholder involvement

UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo noted that, in order to bring the benefits of space to all nations, it is necessary to raise awareness of the importance of space science and technology to sustainable development and how it can contribute to the global community’s commitment to leave no one behind. “Activities such as this exhibit offer us great avenues to communicate how space can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and underline the need for all stakeholders and decision-makers to get involved,” she said.

The exhibition showcases satellite images and videos that illustrate space technology’s contribution to sustainable development

The exhibition, which focuses in particular on the SDGs being reviewed at a High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development being held at UNHQ on 9-18 July, is organised by the NGO CANEUS International with the support of the UNOOSA, and sponsored by the European Commission, the GSA and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). 

#SPACE4SDGS: The Space 2030 Agenda

On the margins of the High-level Political Forum, the side event #SPACE4SDGS: The Space 2030 Agenda was held on July 10. The joint study from UNOOSA and the GSA - European Global Navigation Satellite System and Copernicus: Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals Building Blocks towards the 2030 Agenda – was presented at this event.

The participants discussed the next steps towards establishing a coherent ‘Space2030 Agenda’ approach on how space science and technology is used to support the implementation of the UN’s sustainable development agenda. The side event also included a debrief on the results of UNISPACE+50, a global gathering of the space community held at the UN Offices in Vienna, Austria in June.

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 contribution of Europe’s space programmes Galileo and Copernicus in building sustainable and resilient societies was in focus at the ‘My Planet, My Future: Space for the Sustainable Development Goals’ exhibition, launched at United Nations HQ in New York on July 10 and set to run until September 5.

Opening the exhibition, which showcases satellite images and videos that illustrate space technology’s contribution to the achievement of the SDGs, Pierre Delsaux, Deputy Director General at the European Commission's Directorate General for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises said: “This is an excellent opportunity to show how the European Union’s space programme can contribute to the benefit of the entire planet.”

Delivering real services

This contribution was highlighted in a recent joint study from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), which showed that 40% of the 169 indicators underpinning the 17 SDGs are reliant on the use of space-based science and technology.

Read this: European GNSS and the environment

Speaking at the event, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said that while the contribution of space services to communications, business and the economy is increasingly recognised, awareness of the benefits that space-based solutions can bring to the health, well-being and sustainability of the planet needs to be better understood.

“As the only European Union agency operating and delivering space services, the GSA is dedicated to ensuring that EU investment in independent, civil run satellite navigation systems deliver real services and benefits for people and the planet,” des Dorides said.

In his address, des Dorides noted that the synergy of Galileo and Copernicus supports the Zero Hunger, Climate Action and Better Life on Land goals through precision agriculture applications that optimise crop production. He also noted that the EU Space Programme directly contributes to the goal on Climate Action by supporting urban development and smart cities planning. “This is especially critical given that more than 60% of the global population will live in cities by 2030,” he said.

Stakeholder involvement

UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo noted that, in order to bring the benefits of space to all nations, it is necessary to raise awareness of the importance of space science and technology to sustainable development and how it can contribute to the global community’s commitment to leave no one behind. “Activities such as this exhibit offer us great avenues to communicate how space can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and underline the need for all stakeholders and decision-makers to get involved,” she said.

The exhibition showcases satellite images and videos that illustrate space technology’s contribution to sustainable development

The exhibition, which focuses in particular on the SDGs being reviewed at a High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development being held at UNHQ on 9-18 July, is organised by the NGO CANEUS International with the support of the UNOOSA, and sponsored by the European Commission, the GSA and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). 

#SPACE4SDGS: The Space 2030 Agenda

On the margins of the High-level Political Forum, the side event #SPACE4SDGS: The Space 2030 Agenda was held on July 10. The joint study from UNOOSA and the GSA - European Global Navigation Satellite System and Copernicus: Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals Building Blocks towards the 2030 Agenda – was presented at this event.

The participants discussed the next steps towards establishing a coherent ‘Space2030 Agenda’ approach on how space science and technology is used to support the implementation of the UN’s sustainable development agenda. The side event also included a debrief on the results of UNISPACE+50, a global gathering of the space community held at the UN Offices in Vienna, Austria in June.

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 contribution of Europe’s space programmes Galileo and Copernicus in building sustainable and resilient societies was in focus at the ‘My Planet, My Future: Space for the Sustainable Development Goals’ exhibition, launched at United Nations HQ in New York on July 10 and set to run until September 5.

Opening the exhibition, which showcases satellite images and videos that illustrate space technology’s contribution to the achievement of the SDGs, Pierre Delsaux, Deputy Director General at the European Commission's Directorate General for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises said: “This is an excellent opportunity to show how the European Union’s space programme can contribute to the benefit of the entire planet.”

Delivering real services

This contribution was highlighted in a recent joint study from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), which showed that 40% of the 169 indicators underpinning the 17 SDGs are reliant on the use of space-based science and technology.

Read this: European GNSS and the environment

Speaking at the event, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said that while the contribution of space services to communications, business and the economy is increasingly recognised, awareness of the benefits that space-based solutions can bring to the health, well-being and sustainability of the planet needs to be better understood.

“As the only European Union agency operating and delivering space services, the GSA is dedicated to ensuring that EU investment in independent, civil run satellite navigation systems deliver real services and benefits for people and the planet,” des Dorides said.

In his address, des Dorides noted that the synergy of Galileo and Copernicus supports the Zero Hunger, Climate Action and Better Life on Land goals through precision agriculture applications that optimise crop production. He also noted that the EU Space Programme directly contributes to the goal on Climate Action by supporting urban development and smart cities planning. “This is especially critical given that more than 60% of the global population will live in cities by 2030,” he said.

Stakeholder involvement

UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo noted that, in order to bring the benefits of space to all nations, it is necessary to raise awareness of the importance of space science and technology to sustainable development and how it can contribute to the global community’s commitment to leave no one behind. “Activities such as this exhibit offer us great avenues to communicate how space can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and underline the need for all stakeholders and decision-makers to get involved,” she said.

The exhibition showcases satellite images and videos that illustrate space technology’s contribution to sustainable development

The exhibition, which focuses in particular on the SDGs being reviewed at a High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development being held at UNHQ on 9-18 July, is organised by the NGO CANEUS International with the support of the UNOOSA, and sponsored by the European Commission, the GSA and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). 

#SPACE4SDGS: The Space 2030 Agenda

On the margins of the High-level Political Forum, the side event #SPACE4SDGS: The Space 2030 Agenda was held on July 10. The joint study from UNOOSA and the GSA - European Global Navigation Satellite System and Copernicus: Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals Building Blocks towards the 2030 Agenda – was presented at this event.

The participants discussed the next steps towards establishing a coherent ‘Space2030 Agenda’ approach on how space science and technology is used to support the implementation of the UN’s sustainable development agenda. The side event also included a debrief on the results of UNISPACE+50, a global gathering of the space community held at the UN Offices in Vienna, Austria in June.

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 to enter for this year’s European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) is July 31. So, if you have an idea for an innovative and marketable European GNSS (EGNSS) application, you only have three weeks left to register and be eligible to win great prizes!

Also known as the ‘Galileo Masters’, the ESNC seeks to award applications, services and new ideas that use Galileo GNSS data to respond to important challenges faced by business and society. In this year’s competition, various institutions and regional partners are set to award prizes worth a total of over EUR 1 million within more than 20 challenge categories.

Proud partner

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is proud once again to be a part of this year’s event – the 10th consecutive year that the GSA has been a main partner in the competition and awarded a Special Topic prize.

This year, the GSA will award three prizes addressing the topic 'When and Where? – Exact timing and positioning matters', with special consideration given to proposals that leverage EGNSS differentiators, such as:

• Multiple frequencies E1, E5 and E6
• Galileo-specific signal modulation, e.g. AltBOC
• Galileo Search and Rescue Service
• High-precision and authentication services that will be provided by Galileo, i.e. within the Commercial Service and within the Open Service authentication (OS NMA)

Cash prizes of €3000, €5000 and €7000 will be awarded to the top three proposals. In addition, the first prize winner will benefit from extensive promotion through GSA marketing channels and at relevant industry events and, if eligible, will receive tailored EGNSS Accelerator business support worth €62,000.

Two tracks

There are two tracks in the 2018 competition: regional and special prize challenges. The main target groups are SMEs, start-ups, universities and individuals in the fields of business, research, and higher education. Submissions can demonstrate the innovative use of GNSS data across a wide variety of challenge topics. Together with cash prizes, challenge winners will receive access to an international network of leading GNSS organisations, a crowd investment platform, and business development support.

In addition, the ESNC is complemented by the E-GNSS Accelerator, which helps transform great ideas into commercially viable solutions through a tailored business coaching service. All winners of the ESNC 2018 will gain access to the E-GNSS Accelerator, if eligible.

For more details on this year's challenges, prizes, and partners, please see www.esnc.eu. To participate, click here.

Check out these articles on previous GSA Special Prize winners at the ESNC:

• GSA awards Special Topic Prize at Galileo Masters competition
• Next generation navigation system scoops 2010 GSA Prize
• GSA sat-nav Prize winner creating system for Mini-UAVs in controlled airspace
• Sound idea wins EGNOS prize at ESNC 2012
• He shoots, he scores! JOHAN wins EGNOS prize at ESNC 2013
• And the winner is…
• And the 2015 winner is…
• Drones2GNSS takes this year’s GSA Special Prize
• Winner of ‘EU at 60 – Space for Europe’ Special Prize helps keep kids safe

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).