zprávy

V pátek 2. prosince 2016 skončilo v Lucernu dvoudenní zasedání Rady Evropské kosmické agentury na ministerské úrovni, v jehož průběhu se rozhodovalo o budoucím směřování ESA. Členské státy měly zároveň možnost zapojit se do nových volitelných programů a navýšit příspěvek v těch stávajících.

The 42nd meeting of the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) Working Group 62 (WG-62) was hosted by the European GNSS Agency (GSA) at its Prague Headquarters from 28 – 30 November. Established in 2002, the WG-62 focuses its work on Galileo deployment, the modernisation of GPS and the implementation and evolution of EGNOS as they apply to civil aviation.

The GSA has been a long-time partner of EUROCAE. “As the GSA’s strategy is to focus on user needs, we continue to contribute to the EUROCAE Galileo Working Group and the development of standards for Satellite-based Augmentation Systems (SBAS),” says GSA Chief Executive Carlo des Dorides. “This group allows us to work directly with receiver manufacturers and other international partners in developing the right standards for satellite navigation receivers used in the civil aviation sector.”

On WG-62’s agenda at this meeting were the development of:

• Guidance document on the development of a single constellation Galileo OS receiver Minimum Operational Performance Standard (MOPS)
• SBAS Dual Frequency GPS/Galileo Receiver MOPS

A unique opportunity

As to EGNOS V3, the GSA said it is currently working with the European Space Agency (ESA) on the acquisition process. When operational, the multi-frequency/multi-constellation EGNOS V3 will improve the accuracy and reliability of the positioning information provided not only by GPS, but also Galileo. “This new generation of EGNOS will be the world’s first SBAS system to augment two constellations and the two frequencies used by aviation,” says des Dorides. 

Also read: GSA and EUROCAE working together to build a win-win strategy for Europe

The GSA is currently working on securing the procurement of the DFMC (Dual Frequency Multi Constellation) Aviation prototype receiver (to be used for flight tests) and the GEO-3 Navigation Payload services, in addition to various standardisation tasks. According to des Dorides, it is essential that the GSA have aviation receivers on the market for users to equip their aircraft when EGNOS V3 becomes available, which is expected to happen around 2023. This is because the combination of GPS and Galileo will provide users with a more robust solution and better performance.

“As Europe is the first to deploy the new technology using SBAS to augment Galileo and GPS, we have a unique opportunity to set the standard,” adds des Dorides. “Although we would like to develop this standard with our RTCA partners in the US, nevertheless, European industry should seize this chance to become the first to provide this technology for aviation receivers.”

Currently, the GNSS elements approval scheme, as proposed in the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) new GNSS ConOps, is under discussion by receiver manufacturers. Their decision will serve as the basis for the WG-62’s next round of standards discussions, scheduled for 27-29 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 42nd meeting of the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) Working Group 62 (WG-62) was hosted by the European GNSS Agency (GSA) at its Prague Headquarters from 28 – 30 November.

Established in 2002, the WG-62 focuses its work on Galileo deployment, the modernisation of GPS and the implementation and evolution of EGNOS as they apply to civil aviation.

The GSA has been a long-time partner of EUROCAE. “As the GSA’s strategy is to focus on user needs, we continue to contribute to the EUROCAE Galileo Working Group and the development of standards for Satellite-based Augmentation Systems (SBAS),” says GSA Chief Executive Carlo des Dorides. “This group allows us to work directly with receiver manufacturers and other international partners in developing the right standards for satellite navigation receivers used in the civil aviation sector.”

On WG-62’s agenda at this meeting were the development of:

• Guidance document on the development of a single constellation Galileo OS receiver Minimum Operational Performance Standard (MOPS)
• SBAS Dual Frequency GPS/Galileo Receiver MOPS

A unique opportunity

As to EGNOS V3, the GSA said it is currently working with the European Space Agency (ESA) on the acquisition process. When operational, the multi-frequency/multi-constellation EGNOS V3 will improve the accuracy and reliability of the positioning information provided not only by GPS, but also Galileo. “This new generation of EGNOS will be the world’s first SBAS system to augment two constellations and the two frequencies used by aviation,” says des Dorides. 

Also read: GSA and EUROCAE working together to build a win-win strategy for Europe

The GSA is currently working on securing the procurement of the DFMC (Dual Frequency Multi Constellation) Aviation prototype receiver (to be used for flight tests) and the GEO-3 Navigation Payload services, in addition to various standardisation tasks. According to des Dorides, it is essential that the GSA have aviation receivers on the market for users to equip their aircraft when EGNOS V3 becomes available, which is expected to happen around 2023. This is because the combination of GPS and Galileo will provide users with a more robust solution and better performance.

“As Europe is the first to deploy the new technology using SBAS to augment Galileo and GPS, we have a unique opportunity to set the standard,” adds des Dorides. “Although we would like to develop this standard with our RTCA partners in the US, nevertheless, European industry should seize this chance to become the first to provide this technology for aviation receivers.”

Currently, the GNSS elements approval scheme, as proposed in the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) new GNSS ConOps, is under discussion by receiver manufacturers. Their decision will serve as the basis for the WG-62’s next round of standards discussions, scheduled for 27-29 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 second annual GSA Open Days was a chance for the public to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Galileo and EGNOS space programmes.

Four years ago, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) moved its headquarters from Brussels to Prague. To celebrate this anniversary and to highlight the many benefits the GSA brings to both Europe and, in particular, the Czech Republic, the Agency held its second annual Open Days on 2 – 3 December 2016.

This year’s event follows on the heels of the successful Ariane 5 rocket launch, which added four new satellites to the Galileo constellation. The launch increased the number of satellites in orbit to 18 and represents an important milestone as the programme moves towards the declaration of Initial Services later this year.

“Over the past four years, the GSA has been transitioning the Galileo programme from a deployment phase to an exploitation phase,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “The upcoming declaration of Galileo Initial Services will confirm the GSA’s role in overseeing the service provision and monitoring the security of the overall system, with our Prague Headquarters serving as the epicentre of this mission.”

This year the GSA welcomed over 2500 visitors who came to learn more about the many ways Europe’s space programmes impact their daily lives. As the theme of this year’s Open Days was Travel from Space to Business, several successful Czech space-based companies were on hand to discuss how their businesses are powered by satellite navigation. The agenda also included an array of lectures and workshops explaining satellite navigation and the GSA (in both Czech and English), along with numerous competitions and interactive exhibits.

Visitors of all ages enjoyed the opportunity to explore a Galileo satellite model in its various configurations, take a space selfie, attempt to land an aircraft using satellite navigation and see the Earth from the vantage point of a satellite. In addition, nearly 500 local students attended Satellite Navigation + Europe = GSA, a special event for schools.

Benefiting the Czech Republic

In addition to giving locals a chance to get an inside look at all that is happening at the GSA, Open Days also serves as an opportunity to highlight how the GSA’s location in Prague benefits the Czech Republic. “We planted the seeds by relocating here, and today we are seeing the results as more space applications and products are coming onto the market that originate from the Czech Republic,” says des Dorides.

According to a GSA study, the Agency’s move has impacted the Czech economy both directly and indirectly. For example, since 2012, the direct benefits to the Czech Economy has reached CZK 800 million. Czech companies also benefit from the GSA’s location in Prague, with an increasing number of companies and consortia of Czech companies and institutions applying for R&D funding via the EU’s Horizon 2020 framework programme for research and innovation.

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 2016 GSA Open Days was a chance for the public to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Galileo and EGNOS space programmes.

Four years ago, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) moved its headquarters from Brussels to Prague. To celebrate this anniversary and to highlight the many benefits the GSA brings to both Europe and, in particular, the Czech Republic, the Agency held its second annual Open Days on 2 – 3 December 2016.

This year’s event follows on the heels of the successful Ariane 5 rocket launch, which added four new satellites to the Galileo constellation. The launch increased the number of satellites in orbit to 18 and represents an important milestone as the programme moves towards the declaration of Initial Services later this year.

“Over the past four years, the GSA has been transitioning the Galileo programme from a deployment phase to an exploitation phase,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “The upcoming declaration of Galileo Initial Services will confirm the GSA’s role in overseeing the service provision and monitoring the security of the overall system, with our Prague Headquarters serving as the epicentre of this mission.”

This year the GSA welcomed over 2500 visitors who came to learn more about the many ways Europe’s space programmes impact their daily lives. As the theme of this year’s Open Days was Travel from Space to Business, several successful Czech space-based companies were on hand to discuss how their businesses are powered by satellite navigation. The agenda also included an array of lectures and workshops explaining satellite navigation and the GSA (in both Czech and English), along with numerous competitions and interactive exhibits.

Visitors of all ages enjoyed the opportunity to explore a Galileo satellite model in its various configurations, take a space selfie, attempt to land an aircraft using satellite navigation and see the Earth from the vantage point of a satellite. In addition, nearly 500 local students attended Satellite Navigation + Europe = GSA, a special event for schools.

Benefiting the Czech Republic

In addition to giving locals a chance to get an inside look at all that is happening at the GSA, Open Days also serves as an opportunity to highlight how the GSA’s location in Prague benefits the Czech Republic. “We planted the seeds by relocating here, and today we are seeing the results as more space applications and products are coming onto the market that originate from the Czech Republic,” says des Dorides.

According to a GSA study, the Agency’s move has impacted the Czech economy both directly and indirectly. For example, since 2012, the direct benefits to the Czech Economy has reached CZK 800 million. Czech companies also benefit from the GSA’s location in Prague, with an increasing number of companies and consortia of Czech companies and institutions applying for R&D funding via the EU’s Horizon 2020 framework programme for research and innovation.

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).