zprávy

As home to over 600 million inhabitants, many technically skilled experts in the area of satellite technology, and a fast-growing economy, South East Asia is a hotspot for global business – and GNSS is no exception. In fact, thanks to its unique geographic position, where it is able to receive all GNSS signals (and even some EGNOS signals), South East Asia is developing into a regional ‘GNSS Valley’.  

To help ensure European GNSS’ spot at this table, the Horizon 2020-funded BELS project conducts a range of coordinated activities to raise awareness and build capacities for the exploitation of E-GNSS technologies in South East Asia. The BELS consortium brings together 12 European, Asian and Australian partners, including European companies with a presence in the region, as well as leading universities. Together, these partners concentrate on three core objectives:

1. Opening new markets to EU companies
2. Increasing awareness of E-GNSS technology through workshops
3. Increasing the technical expertise of people in the region

One of the project’s core focuses is to promote Galileo and how it can benefit the region. This work is particularly important as the region lacks its own satellite navigation capabilities and is thus dependent on other national or regional systems. “There’s a lot of competition coming from Russia, China and Japan – each looking to tie South East Asia to their GNSS system,” says Matteo Vannucchi from the BELS coordination team. “However, the majority of these systems are military-based or controlled, which of course raises concerns for users in the region.”

According to Vannucchi, because Galileo is the only civil-operated GNSS programme, it has a unique advantage in the region. “The potential here is substantial,” he says. For example, the Vietnamese government has issued a regulation that requires all vehicles used for transporting passengers or goods to be equipped with ‘black boxes’ capable of relaying data – which will come from GNSS technology. “Many of these local technology companies are looking for suitable providers, but tend to look towards the US, Japan and China instead of European ones,” adds Vannucchi.

A dedicated GNSS R&D centre

Core to this job is the NAVIS Centre, a dedicated GNSS R&D centre located in Hanoi, Vietnam. The centre’s mission is to act as a linking entity between Europe and South East Asia within the GNSS sector. Specifically, it aims to promote cooperation between EU and South East Asian actors, promote European GNSS technology, and reinforce international collaboration among players. To achieve this, the centre conducts research, training and awareness initiatives in collaboration with a growing network of international institutions from Asia-Pacific and Europe. NAVIS also provides support to regional policy makers on GNSS technical issues relating to the development of regulations and standards.

“Our core function is to develop satellite navigation in South East Asia,” says Vannucchi. “Together, we are conducting ongoing research and coordinating workshops and conferences that give these actors an opportunity to come together and share their findings.”

The NAVIS facility is also available for both testing and research activities and serves as a hub for establishing new links with regional GNSS stakeholders. NAVIS is particularly well suited for testing a receiver’s multi-constellation function, and several EU receiver manufacturers have taken up the opportunity to co-locate their receivers at the centre.

Test your receivers here

To encourage more companies to take advantage of this opportunity, the NAVIS centre has issued calls for expression of interest, where European GNSS companies can receive vouchers to visit the NAVIS Centre. “NAVIS is the perfect place to test receivers and devices, not only because of how one can receive all GNSS signals here, but also because of the unique phenomena of ionosphere found here,” says Vannucchi. “In general, if it works at NAVIS, it will work anywhere in the world.”

The purpose of these visits is to provide a company with a chance to experience the centre and all that it has to offer in terms of serving as a testbed for their GNSS equipment and solutions prior to making a commitment to relocate some of their activities here. Whereas the first call was to invite companies to come and see if NAVIS was a good fit for them, a subsequent second call gives these companies an opportunity to apply to receive vouchers to conduct their testing at the centre and network with stakeholders in Southeast Asia.

Last year, seven European companies visited NAVIS and started planning their test campaigns. One such company was UK-based NSL, who has developed a GNSS interference and jammer detection system. Originally developed within the GSA-funded DETECTOR project, the company is now looking to commercialise the system. “Thanks to the partnership between NSL and the BELS project, NSL has been able to trial their technology in the South East Asian region and to disseminate results with key regional stakeholders,” says Vannucchi. “The company is also looking forward to closer cooperation with the BELS partners to develop solutions that ensure safe, secure and reliable use of GNSS in support of a range of governmental applications within the region.”

These calls are open to any EU-based company working with E-GNSS equipment and solutions and with commercial interest in the region. Successful applicants receive financial support via a voucher worth up to EUR 2 500. Applicants can apply at any time during the year, with applications being evaluated every three months. The call will be closed once the available budget has been fully allocated. In order to be considered, companies should provide a short company profile, proof of activity in the field of E-GNSS, a letter of motivation, CV and suggested timeframe for the visit.

More information can be found here.

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 Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency (GSA) presented two exciting Galileo ‘search and rescue’ (SAR) projects - GRICAS and HELIOS - at the Paris International Air Show in June.

On 8 March 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, a passenger flight, disappeared between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and its destination, Beijing Airport in China. The disappearance triggered one of the largest and most expensive multinational searches for a missing aircraft in history. The flight recorder could not be located and so it was not possible immediately to carry out an analysis of what went wrong and what could be done to ensure it never happened again.

Before MH370 vanished it did not send out a distress signal, there was no indication of poor weather and there was no warning of a technical problem; it was a mystery. MH370 came four years after the loss of Air France flight AF477 from Rio de Janeiro to Paris – again, there was no warning signal.

Watch this: Galileo Search and Rescue

Following the incident, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) realised that they needed to do something to improve the distress signalling and adopted new recommendations for a Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS). The European Union adopted an initiative in 2015 to improve the location of distressed aircraft for the swift rescue of passengers and rapid analysis to determine what went wrong and to identify safety improvements.

GSA steps in

ICAO recommendations outlined the end to be achieved, while leaving the technological solutions to industry. Autonomous distress tracking means that an aircraft can transmit a signal automatically without the intervention of crew – who are focussed on recovery in an emergency. The device must also be autonomous of the aircraft’s electricity or other aircraft systems. There must also be a way for the device to alert SAR (Search and Rescue) control centres.

Through the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Development programme, the GSA funded projects proposing technical solutions based on satellite support through the Galileo SAR service.

At the air show, Orolia, a lead partner in the HELIOS project, presented its GADSS compliant ‘Distress Tracking - Emergency Locator Transmitter’ (ELT-DT), which allows a beacon to automatically send a distress signal providing an accurate position when it detects unusual activity, such as a precipitous drop in altitude. Oralio CEO Jean-Yves Courtois said: “The ability to autonomously track aircraft in distress with continuous location data is an industry breakthrough that will deliver long-lasting benefits for the travelling public.”

Also watch: How the Galileo SAR service works

The GRICAS (Galileo Search-And-Rescue Return-Link Implementation for a better Civil Aviation Safety) system, like HELIOS, makes use of medium-altitude earth orbiting search and rescue systems (Cospas-Sarsat) which are supported by global navigation satellite systems, such as Galileo.

“GRICAS has developed two main products - firstly the ground station, MEOLUT, localising the distress signals; the second is next generation beacons that will equip the aircrafts to meet the ICAO requirements, allowing the aircraft to be localised and rescued in distress situations,” said Michel Monnerat, manager of the Location Infrastructure and Security Department at Thales Alenia Space.

All new commercial aircraft will have to meet ICAO requirements by 2021.

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).

Message from Carlo des Dorides, Executive Director of the European GNSS Agency (GSA)

The GSA takes up its responsibilities for Galileo

July 1, 2017 is an important date for both the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and for the Galileo programme. Following a six-month handover phase that began on January 1st, as of July 1st the GSA officially takes responsibility for overseeing the operations and service provision for Galileo – a responsibility that includes ensuring a return on investment from Galileo in the form of across-the-board services and applications.

Our journey began three years ago when the European Commission issued Regulation 1285, stating that the Galileo exploitation phase was to start in 2016 and delegating the responsibility for overseeing this key phase to the GSA. Last year’s Declaration of Initial Services and the awarding of the Galileo Service Operator (GSOp) contract marked the official transition of Galileo from a testing phase to a system in service – and were the first concrete steps taken by the GSA in our new role.

Carlo des Dorides, Executive Director of the European GNSS Agency (GSA)

Many hats

Overseeing the Galileo service provision is no simple task, and one that requires the GSA to wear multiple hats. For example, our responsibilities include overseeing the operation of such key service facilities as the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre (GSMC) in France and the UK, the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) in Spain and the Galileo Reference Centre (GRC) in the Netherlands. We are also charged with maximising Galileo adoption across user market segments, including positioning Galileo as the leading constellation in search and rescue beacons and making the Public Regulated Service (PRS) the service of choice for all authorised users.

In parallel with the development of the service provision, additional satellites will continue to be added to the Galileo constellation, allowing new services to become available. And here lies one of the key challenges we face, namely, the need to balance the development of the Galileo service provision with the need for continued programme deployment.

The end goal of all this work is to ensure that Galileo is positioned as the second GNSS constellation of choice (after GPS) by the time the system reaches full operational capability from 2020. The GSA is well positioned to oversee the ongoing investment in the research, technology and applications needed to achieve this goal.

Showtime!

In preparing for our new role, the GSA has leaned heavily on our strong track record and experience from our work with EGNOS, where we have been responsible for the programme’s service provision since 2014. We have also undergone a thorough internal assessment and a ramp up of our competence level, all in preparation for July 1, 2017 – the day we begin to put into practice everything that we have been working towards and usher in a new era for the Galileo programme.

Of course, this was accomplished with the help and support of our colleagues at the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA). ESA will remain in charge of the system activities and the deployment of the ground and space segments, while working closely with us for service provision. GSA is also integrating senior ESA expertise, bringing in their knowledge of the system and operations, to ensure that we can deliver high quality services to users.

Message from Carlo des Dorides, Executive Director of the European GNSS Agency (GSA)

The GSA takes up its responsibilities for Galileo

July 1, 2017 is an important date for both the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and for the Galileo programme. Following a six-month handover phase that began on January 1st, as of July 1st the GSA officially takes responsibility for overseeing the operations and service provision for Galileo – a responsibility that includes ensuring a return on investment from Galileo in the form of across-the-board services and applications.

Our journey began three years ago when the European Commission issued Regulation 1285, stating that the Galileo exploitation phase was to start in 2016 and delegating the responsibility for overseeing this key phase to the GSA. Last year’s Declaration of Initial Services and the awarding of the Galileo Service Operator (GSOp) contract marked the official transition of Galileo from a testing phase to a system in service – and were the first concrete steps taken by the GSA in our new role.

Carlo des Dorides, Executive Director of the European GNSS Agency (GSA)

Many hats

Overseeing the Galileo service provision is no simple task, and one that requires the GSA to wear multiple hats. For example, our responsibilities include overseeing the operation of such key service facilities as the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre (GSMC) in France and the UK, the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) in Spain and the Galileo Reference Centre (GRC) in the Netherlands. We are also charged with maximising Galileo adoption across user market segments, including positioning Galileo as the leading constellation in search and rescue beacons and making the Public Regulated Service (PRS) the service of choice for all authorised users.

In parallel with the development of the service provision, additional satellites will continue to be added to the Galileo constellation, allowing new services to become available. And here lies one of the key challenges we face, namely, the need to balance the development of the Galileo service provision with the need for continued programme deployment.

The end goal of all this work is to ensure that Galileo is positioned as the second GNSS constellation of choice (after GPS) by the time the system reaches full operational capability from 2020. The GSA is well positioned to oversee the ongoing investment in the research, technology and applications needed to achieve this goal.

Showtime!

In preparing for our new role, the GSA has leaned heavily on our strong track record and experience from our work with EGNOS, where we have been responsible for the programme’s service provision for the since 2014. We have also undergone a thorough internal assessment and a ramp up of our competence level, all in preparation for July 1, 2017 – the day we begin to put into practice everything that we have been working towards and usher in a new era for the Galileo programme. The time for rehearsal is done, now it’s showtime.

Message from Carlo des Dorides, Executive Director of the European GNSS Agency (GSA)

The GSA takes up its responsibilities for Galileo

July 1, 2017 is an important date for both the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and for the Galileo programme. Following a six-month handover phase that began on January 1st, as of July 1st the GSA officially takes responsibility for overseeing the operations and service provision for Galileo – a responsibility that includes ensuring a return on investment from Galileo in the form of across-the-board services and applications.

Our journey began three years ago when the European Commission issued Regulation 1285, stating that the Galileo exploitation phase was to start in 2016 and delegating the responsibility for overseeing this key phase to the GSA. Last year’s Declaration of Initial Services and the awarding of the Galileo Service Operator (GSOp) contract marked the official transition of Galileo from a testing phase to a system in service – and were the first concrete steps taken by the GSA in our new role.

Carlo des Dorides, Executive Director of the European GNSS Agency (GSA)

Many hats

Overseeing the Galileo service provision is no simple task, and one that requires the GSA to wear multiple hats. For example, our responsibilities include overseeing the operation of such key service facilities as the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre (GSMC) in France and the UK, the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) in Spain and the Galileo Reference Centre (GRC) in the Netherlands. We are also charged with maximising Galileo adoption across user market segments, including positioning Galileo as the leading constellation in search and rescue beacons and making the Public Regulated Service (PRS) the service of choice for all authorised users.

In parallel with the development of the service provision, additional satellites will continue to be added to the Galileo constellation, allowing new services to become available. And here lies one of the key challenges we face, namely, the need to balance the development of the Galileo service provision with the need for continued programme deployment.

The end goal of all this work is to ensure that Galileo is positioned as the second GNSS constellation of choice (after GPS) by the time the system reaches full operational capability from 2020. The GSA is well positioned to oversee the ongoing investment in the research, technology and applications needed to achieve this goal.

Showtime!

In preparing for our new role, the GSA has leaned heavily on our strong track record and experience from our work with EGNOS, where we have been responsible for the programme’s service provision for the since 2014. We have also undergone a thorough internal assessment and a ramp up of our competence level, all in preparation for July 1, 2017 – the day we begin to put into practice everything that we have been working towards and usher in a new era for the Galileo programme.

Of course, this was accomplished with the help and support of our colleagues at the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA). ESA will remain in charge of the system activities and the deployment of the ground and space segments, while working closely with us for service provision. GSA is also integrating senior ESA expertise, bringing in their knowledge of the system and operations, to ensure that we can deliver high quality services to users.

Paris International Air Show, held in Le Bourget, is the largest air show in the world and the favoured exhibition site of the aviation industry’s top players. The biennial event attracts more than 2,000 exhibitors from around the world, nearly 300 official delegations and 150,000 trade visitors. Even in sweltering temperatures, Bourget was buzzing, with thousands queuing to see the latest aircraft and innovations.

At the Paris Air Show, GSA presented projects that make use of Galileo and EGNOS. Chair of the European GNSS Agency’s (GSA) Administrative Board and President of the CNES (the French Space Agency) and France’s Inter-Ministerial Co-ordinator for European satellite navigation programmes Jean-Yves Le Gall said: “The GSA is the flagship of the European Union in space with its Galileo and EGNOS projects. GSA has a key place here because space issues are very prominent at this show.” He added: “We are entering into a new era with new facilities to operate Galileo.”

“Now, we are responsible for the exploitation of EGNOS and Galileo,” confirmed GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “Our mission is to link with users’ needs and the Aviation stakeholders are largely using our European space technology; we have permanent interactions with them.”

Read this: EGNOS for aviation in acceleration mode

Patrice Roquette from Airbus spoke about how the Airbus A350-900 had adopted EGNOS for the European Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) technology: “We are moving more and more towards SBAS. With our latest aircraft models, we use EGNOS technology. This is more and more important for our clients.”

Pilots adapt quickly to EGNOS

The LPV-200 service developed under EGNOS enables aircraft-approach procedures of the highest standard, without requiring visual contact with the ground before they are as low as 200 feet. Increasingly, airports are adopting LPV-200. Roquette said: “Airbus would like to see more and more airports adopt the LPV-200. It would be great if the airports could develop more LPV approaches, since the aircrafts now have this capability.”

Roquette said that EGNOS-based technology was not difficult to introduce in the cockpit, because it is very close in terms of use and principles. Pilots have found it straightforward to use and adapt to it very quickly.

Also read: AERO 2017 show EGNOS benefits

GSA also presented two exciting projects on Galileo search-and-rescue that also receive financial support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Development programme: GRICAS and Helios. These projects were developed in response to recent accidents, including Malaysian Airways flight MH370 where it proved almost impossible to locate the downed aircraft. Both projects have developed solutions for in-flight distress tracking and signalling.

MISTRALE, a project funded by GSA under Horizon 2020, exhibited their project that uses Galileo to assess moisture content in soil for farmers and water managers. MISTRALE makes a soil-moisture content map using a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) with a GNSS measurement device. Besides soil-moisture maps, MISTRALE can also produce maps of water logging, flooding extent and other soil-moisture related information products.

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).

Paris International Air Show, held in Le Bourget, is the largest air show in the world and the favoured exhibition site of the aviation industry’s top players. The biennial event attracts more than 2,000 exhibitors from around the world, nearly 300 official delegations and 150,000 trade visitors. Even in sweltering temperatures, Bourget was buzzing, with thousands queuing to see the latest aircraft and innovations.

At the Paris Air Show, GSA presented projects that make use of Galileo and EGNOS. Chair of the European GNSS Agency’s (GSA) Administrative Board and President of the CNES (the French Space Agency) and France’s Inter-Ministerial Co-ordinator for European satellite navigation programmes Jean-Yves Le Gall said: “The GSA is the flagship of the European Union in space with its Galileo and EGNOS projects. GSA has a key place here because space issues are very prominent at this show.” He added: “We are entering into a new era with new facilities to operate Galileo.”

“Now, we are responsible for the exploitation of EGNOS and Galileo,” confirmed GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “Our mission is to link with users’ needs and the Aviation stakeholders are largely using our European space technology; we have permanent interactions with them.”

Read this: EGNOS for aviation in acceleration mode

Patrice Roquette from Airbus spoke about how the Airbus A350-900 had adopted EGNOS for the European Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) technology: “We are moving more and more towards SBAS. With our latest aircraft models, we use EGNOS technology. This is more and more important for our clients.”

Pilots adapt quickly to EGNOS

The LPV-200 service developed under EGNOS enables aircraft-approach procedures of the highest standard, without requiring visual contact with the ground before they are as low as 200 feet. Increasingly, airports are adopting LPV-200. Roquette said: “Airbus would like to see more and more airports adopt the LPV-200. It would be great if the airports could develop more LPV approaches, since the aircrafts now have this capability.”

Roquette said that EGNOS-based technology was not difficult to introduce in the cockpit, because it is very close in terms of use and principles. Pilots have found it straightforward to use and adapt to it very quickly.

Also read: AERO 2017 show EGNOS benefits

GSA also presented two exciting projects on Galileo search-and-rescue that also receive financial support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Development programme: GRICAS and Helios. These projects were developed in response to recent accidents, including Malaysian Airways flight MH370 where it proved almost impossible to locate the downed aircraft. Both projects have developed solutions for in-flight distress tracking and signalling.

MISTRALE, a project funded by GSA under Horizon 2020, exhibited their project that uses Galileo to assess moisture content in soil for farmers and water managers. MISTRALE makes a soil-moisture content map using a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) with a GNSS measurement device. Besides soil-moisture maps, MISTRALE can also produce maps of water logging, flooding extent and other soil-moisture related information products.

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).