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Whether it’s wildfires in Canada or a deadly earthquake in Turkey, natural and manmade disasters highlight the importance of having innovative tools and solutions for resilient risk management and response.  With end-users always at the core, the EU Space Programme continues to evolve offering services that contribute to the safety and wellbeing of European citizens.

Developed by the Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS) of the European Commission, the Emergency Warning Satellite Service will support and complement the current civil protection services by taking advantage of the 24/7 availability of Galileo signals and the resilience of its infrastructures.

How will this new life-saving service work?

The Emergency Warning Satellite Service (EWSS) utilises Galileo’s messaging function to transmit an alert to smartphones with instructions to follow depending on the area the user is located in. The service is not based on the mobile network, it can reach any smartphone with a GNSS chip in a specific target area with satellite coverage. This feature enables the service to reach people in rural regions with poor mobile signal and can even be available during a disaster that affects the ground infrastructure.

EUSPA Chief Operating Officer, Pascal Claudel explains: ‘’The EWSS provides national civil protection authorities with a 24/7 “satellite” channel enabling them to broadcast alerts to the population. ‘’This comes in addition to the multiple existing national alert services such as mobile networks, TV, radio, sirens, internet or social networks, and is completely independent of terrestrial mobile networks,’’ he concludes.

This future Galileo alert service is designed to be received directly on any device capable of processing Galileo signals: smartphone, car navigation, fixed receiver on the roofs of buildings for display on public billboards, etc.

EWSS is not Galileo’s only emergency service. Galileo Search And Rescue Service (SAR) helps to save lives in emergency circumstances. Recently, a sailor in a solo round-the-world yacht race was saved thanks to the positioning given to rescuers by his emergency beacon after waves destroyed his vessel.

Two demonstrations based on a true disaster

The demonstration of the EWSS was carried out as part of a Horizon Europe STELLAR Project which has been receiving funding from the European Union. The first demo aimed to replicate the deadly explosion which occurred at the AZF facilities in September 2001 in Toulouse, France and claimed the lives of 31 people. 

This exercise took place in three different sites:

A: The operation centre of the Haute Garonne prefecture, responsible for issuing the alert

B:  The Galileo Search and Rescue service centre based at CNES facilities in Toulouse 

C: In the city of Toulouse where mobile phone users received the alert messages.

The EWSS demonstration conducted by the STELLAR consortium was met with great success and enthusiasm. The service efficiently transmitted distress messages to citizens' mobile phones within seconds of activation. With Galileo's superior accuracy, end users were able to visualize the affected area with precision.

The demonstration was carried out in the presence of the French Ministry of Interior, the Prefecture of Haute-Garonne, and civil protection authorities (SAMU, Town Hall, Firefighters/SDIS).

A similar exercise took place on June 30th, 2023, in Leverkusen, Germany replicating the Chempark explosion which occurred two years ago. 

STELLAR brings together a unique consortium of EU companies with expertise in satellite navigation and emergency management. It is led by Telespazio France, together with CNES, EENA, F24 and Thalès Alenia Space.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) 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 EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

As Spain takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July, it has announced its key priorities for the semester. 

“We are going to promote the reindustrialisation and digitalisation of Europe, we are going to make decisive progress in this ecological transition, we will make the economy more prosperous but also fairer, and we will strengthen European unity with new tools and new agreements,” says President of the Government of Spain Pedro Sánchez.

By fostering the development of an innovative, competitive and independent space sector, the EU Space Programme is set to contribute to each of the priorities set by the Spanish Presidency – all while reinforcing the EU’s autonomy, resilience and democratic principles.   

“As the host of our European GNSS Service Centre and one of our Galileo Security Monitoring Centre, Spain is already very familiar with the EU Space Programme and EUSPA looks forward to building on this relationship during the Spanish Presidency,” adds EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa. 

Reindustrialise the EU and ensure its open strategic autonomy

EU Space is a key enabler of European competitiveness. With an approximate 25% market share, Europe currently enjoys a strong position within the global GNSS downstream market – a market that is forecasted to see revenues reach EUR 510 billion by 2032. Europe is also seeing a vibrant Copernicus start-up scene unfolding, with hundreds of new ventures being created using Copernicus data and information. 

But success in the space and tech sectors also translates to the renewed competitiveness of such legacy industries as raw materials and energy. For example, the raw materials sector already leverages the benefits of GNSS and Earth Observation for everything from exploration to site approval, construction, operations and closure, helping European industry achieve the rare earth independence envisioned by the European Critical Raw Materials Act.

On the energy side, EU Space is set to be a key enabler of Europe’s energy transition. While Europe may lack fossil fuel resources, it has no shortage of natural resources like sunshine and wind. Using EU Space, the energy sector can choose the best location for the wind turbines, solar panels and smart grids needed to produce home grown renewable energy right here in the EU. 

“With the support of the EU Space Programme, which was conceived as a means of advancing European autonomy in space, we can build the renewable energy system that will power an energy independent and climate neutral future for Europe,” explains da Costa.  

Advance the green transition and environmental adaptation

Speaking of a climate neutral future for Europe, EU Space is also well-positioned to support the Spanish Presidency’s environmental priorities. In addition to driving the transition to clean energy, Copernicus and Galileo offer a host of services to help monitoring ecosystems and biodiversity, climate resilience with everything from industrial waste management to wildlife monitoring, urban planning, smart mobility and fleet management.  

The Spanish Presidency has specifically made the reduction of electricity prices part of its green priorities. A good place to start is by renovating Europe’s many inefficient buildings and homes – and Copernicus can help. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service helps monitor emissions in residential areas of cities, providing urban planners with the information they need to focus on renovating the worst-performing buildings first.

Promoting greater social and economic justice

Not only will energy efficient building renovations help lower energy bills, they are also a front-line defence against energy poverty. Defined as when a household suffers from inadequate energy services, energy poverty impacts an estimated 35 million European citizens. 

“By enabling energy-efficient home renovations and facilitating the construction of more efficient energy infrastructure, EU Space plays a crucial role in ensuring that Europe's green transformation is inclusive and leaves no one behind," adds da Costa. 

This highlights how EU Space can support the Spanish Presidency’s priority of promoting greater social and economic justice – a priority that aims to ensure everyone benefits from Europe’s competitiveness and success, including people with disabilities. 

Here too EU Space can help. Take for example the Galileo High Accuracy Service, which is set to improve urban navigation and wayfinding for people with disabilities. Companies are also leveraging the precise positioning offered by Galileo and EGNOS to develop innovative applications to help, for instance, the visually impaired navigate through busy city centres and safely use public transport. 

Strengthening European unity 

In a world of challenges and growing tensions, the EU must remain united. “In a geopolitical context marked by uncertainty, Europe must become an area of certainties, in which material welfare, freedom and democracy pave the way for the future of all people,” says Sánchez.

To help, the Spanish Presidency looks to develop the tools Member States and citizens need to face these uncertainties together. 

“At its heart, the EU Space Programme is a programme built by Europe, for Europe,” concludes da Costa. “Whether it be boosting Union’s competitiveness, supporting its energy independence, mitigating the effects of climate change, protecting citizens from security threats and natural disasters, or simply keeping us connected with one another, EU Space is a key tool for maintaining a united and thriving Europe.”  

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) 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 EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

As Spain takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July, it has announced its key priorities for the semester. 

“We are going to promote the reindustrialisation and digitalisation of Europe, we are going to make decisive progress in this ecological transition, we will make the economy more prosperous but also fairer, and we will strengthen European unity with new tools and new agreements,” says President of the Government of Spain Pedro Sánchez.

By fostering the development of an innovative, competitive and independent space sector, the EU Space Programme is set to contribute to each of the priorities set by the Spanish Presidency – all while reinforcing the EU’s autonomy, resilience and democratic principles.   

“As the host of our European GNSS Service Centre and one of our Galileo Security Monitoring Centre, Spain is already very familiar with the EU Space Programme and EUSPA looks forward to building on this relationship during the Spanish Presidency,” adds EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa. 

Reindustrialise the EU and ensure its open strategic autonomy

EU Space is a key enabler of European competitiveness. With an approximate 25% market share, Europe currently enjoys a strong position within the global GNSS downstream market – a market that is forecasted to see revenues reach EUR 510 billion by 2032. Europe is also seeing a vibrant Copernicus start-up scene unfolding, with hundreds of new ventures being created using Copernicus data and information. 

But success in the space and tech sectors also translates to the renewed competitiveness of such legacy industries as raw materials and energy. For example, the raw materials sector already leverages the benefits of GNSS and Earth Observation for everything from exploration to site approval, construction, operations and closure, helping European industry achieve the rare earth independence envisioned by the European Critical Raw Materials Act.

On the energy side, EU Space is set to be a key enabler of Europe’s energy transition. While Europe may lack fossil fuel resources, it has no shortage of natural resources like sunshine and wind. Using EU Space, the energy sector can choose the best location for the wind turbines, solar panels and smart grids needed to produce home grown renewable energy right here in the EU. 

“With the support of the EU Space Programme, which was conceived as a means of advancing European autonomy in space, we can build the renewable energy system that will power an energy independent and climate neutral future for Europe,” explains da Costa.  

Advance the green transition and environmental adaptation

Speaking of a climate neutral future for Europe, EU Space is also well-positioned to support the Spanish Presidency’s environmental priorities. In addition to driving the transition to clean energy, Copernicus and Galileo offer a host of services to help monitoring ecosystems and biodiversity, climate resilience with everything from industrial waste management to wildlife monitoring, urban planning, smart mobility and fleet management.  

The Spanish Presidency has specifically made the reduction of electricity prices part of its green priorities. A good place to start is by renovating Europe’s many inefficient buildings and homes – and Copernicus can help. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service helps monitor emissions in residential areas of cities, providing urban planners with the information they need to focus on renovating the worst-performing buildings first.

Promoting greater social and economic justice

Not only will energy efficient building renovations help lower energy bills, they are also a front-line defence against energy poverty. Defined as when a household suffers from inadequate energy services, energy poverty impacts an estimated 35 million European citizens. 

“By enabling energy-efficient home renovations and facilitating the construction of more efficient energy infrastructure, EU Space plays a crucial role in ensuring that Europe's green transformation is inclusive and leaves no one behind," adds da Costa. 

This highlights how EU Space can support the Spanish Presidency’s priority of promoting greater social and economic justice – a priority that aims to ensure everyone benefits from Europe’s competitiveness and success, including people with disabilities. 

Here too EU Space can help. Take for example the Galileo High Accuracy Service, which is set to improve urban navigation and wayfinding for people with disabilities. Companies are also leveraging the precise positioning offered by Galileo and EGNOS to develop innovative applications to help, for instance, the visually impaired navigate through busy city centres and safely use public transport. 

Strengthening European unity 

In a world of challenges and growing tensions, the EU must remain united. “In a geopolitical context marked by uncertainty, Europe must become an area of certainties, in which material welfare, freedom and democracy pave the way for the future of all people,” says Sánchez.

To help, the Spanish Presidency looks to develop the tools Member States and citizens need to face these uncertainties together. 

“At its heart, the EU Space Programme is a programme built by Europe, for Europe,” concludes da Costa. “Whether it be boosting Union’s competitiveness, supporting its energy independence, mitigating the effects of climate change, protecting citizens from security threats and natural disasters, or simply keeping us connected with one another, EU Space is a key tool for maintaining a united and thriving Europe.”  

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) 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 EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).