zprávy

What do semiconductor chips, electric vehicles, solar panels, heat pumps, wind turbines and clean energy technologies have in common?

They all depend on having ready access to critical raw materials like lithium.

“Raw materials are the essential ingredient to achieving our ambitious climate targets,” says EU Commissioner for the Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton. “Without the necessary raw materials, there can be no green transition.” 

According to a recent Eurometaux study, this transition will require huge amounts of raw materials, including aluminium, copper, lithium, nickel, zinc, silicon and cobalt. To give you an idea of what we mean by huge, the report notes that Europe will require 330% more cobalt and a whopping 3,500% increase in lithium. This has been complemented by the study written by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.

The problem is Europe simply doesn’t have the capacity to supply enough raw material to meet this demand. As a result, it has traditionally imported its raw materials from the likes of China and Russia. But this dependency means importing materials that are often mined in unsustainable or unresponsible ways. It also makes the EU vulnerable to having its supply cut off, which is exactly what happened following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Without secure and sustainable access to the necessary raw materials, our ambition to become the first climate neutral continent is at risk,” says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

In an effort to mitigate its dependence on the extraction, processing and recycling of raw materials, the EU has launched the European Critical Raw Materials Act. The Act aims to build up reserves where supply is at risk by identifying potential strategic projects along the entire supply chain – from extraction to refining, processing and recycling. 

And when it comes to efficiently extracting raw materials from the ground, there’s no better place to start than space. 

With the raw materials sector already leveraging the benefits of GNSS and Earth Observation for everything from exploration to site approval, construction, operations and closure, EU Space is well-placed to play a pivotal role in ensuring the rare earth independence envisioned by the European Critical Raw Materials Act.

Two powerful tools for the mining sector 

Take Earth Observation (EO). The European Commission’s Action Plan on Raw Materials, a precursor to the Critical Raw Materials Act, specifically proposes deploying EO programmes and remote sensing for resource exploration and mining operations. 

The raw materials sector is already using hyperspectral imagery to assess the abundancy of certain minerals at a potential site. When the site is up and running, high-resolution EO data is used to monitor many aspects of a plant’s operations, including pit slopes and ground motion effects. 

The data provided by such Earth Observation programmes as Copernicus complements and enhances traditional detection methods by reducing location errors and providing faster, more accurate information on asset concentration and commercial yields.  

But this is, as they say, just the tip of the iceberg. According to EUSPA’s 2022 EO and GNSS Market Report, as the technology continues to mature, the EO sector will soon offer fit-for-purpose, turn-key solutions that the mining industry can integrate into their own workflows and systems. 

Mining also depends on GNSS. In fact, the sector was an early adapter of augmented GNSS solutions, using it for everything from surveying mining sites to accessing remote areas and enabling the safe operation of heavy machinery. Today, with many activities being increasingly automated, GNSS has become a key enabler for the management of mining operations. 

The use of high-accuracy GNSS in particular is used for such tasks as grading, dozing, drilling, collision avoidance and fleet management. It’s also a key tool for machine guidance, with the determination of excavator bucket wheel position being a critical GNSS application. 

While GNSS and Earth Observation are powerful tools in their own right, the raw materials sector stands to benefit the most when these solutions are used in synergy. For example, mining companies can use services enabled by EO and GNSS data to not only identify the most suitable areas for extracting raw materials, but also to aid in the permitting process, plan their development and monitor their operations. By assessing stability of pit slopes of tailings dams, their combined use is also improving safety around mining operations.

Keeping the green transformation clean 

With all this being said, we cannot ignore the significant environmental impact raw material extraction has. According to EUSPA’s EU Space for Green Transformation Report, mining is amongst the most environmentally harmful activities, impacting land, water, air, biodiversity and human health. 

Thus, as Europe moves forward to secure the raw materials it needs to enable its green transition, it needs to do so in a way that aligns with its climate and environmental priorities. 

Here too, EU Space can help. 

While Earth Observation services may bring the most value in mineral exploration, ground stability monitoring and planning of mining sites, environmental monitoring also draws on EO powered solutions – especially when it comes to post-closure environmental management. For instance, when a mining site closes, companies can use EO data to guide their site clean-up, rehabilitation and waste management.

GNSS also helps mining reduce its environmental footprint. By optimising fleet management during mining operations, it is estimated that the use of precise navigation services can improve the efficiency of mining equipment, especially trucks, in terms of fuel consumption from 1.8 to 2.3%.  Furthermore, Galileo-enabled location-based services can be used throughout industry to track and optimise operations like warehousing and further reduce direct emissions.

Although accurate positioning is important, it alone is not enough. Robustness and resiliency are critical too. Here, companies like Septentrio, which manufactures GNSS components and receivers, are using proprietary algorithms to improve positioning robustness and resilience during operations. As a result, mining companies can maximise efficiency, achieve the highest levels of safety, optimise the utilisation of natural resources and help safeguard the integrity of surrounding ecosystems.

Not only does EU Space help secure the raw materials needed to enable Europe’s green transition, it also ensures the processes for doing so don’t compromise our other sustainability goals.

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).

From funding to market intelligence, EUSPA supports the EU Space industry through the entire innovation cycle. Fundamental Elements has been a key tool in the uptake of the European GNSS Galileo. Fundamental Elements is an R&D funding mechanism designed to support the development of innovative chipset, antenna and receiver technologies. In doing so, the programme helps accelerate the integration of Galileo into market-ready devices and solutions. The objectives of the programme can be summarised as follows:

• Facilitate the adoption of EGNSS, building on innovative services and differentiators;
• Improve the competitiveness of the EU industry;
• Address user needs in priority market segments;
• Maximise benefits for European citizens.

Projects funded by Fundamental Elements play a key role in EUSPA’s mission of driving the development and market uptake of Galileo-enabled receivers. 

The two new calls currently open are looking to support the development of two important Galileo services for emergency management.

Galileo Emergency Warning Satellite Service

When it comes to effectively preparing for and managing the consequences of a disaster, it is important to have access to precise and current information. GNSS-based applications make a significant contribution during the preparation and mitigation phases of disaster management, supporting GNSS monitoring and early warning systems for natural disasters.

Galileo, the European GNSS, will contribute to early warning systems through a new service called the “Galileo Emergency Warning Satellite Service” (EWSS). This satellite service, free of charge to users, will broadcast warning messages to the population threatened by natural disasters or other emergencies in affected areas.

The current call for proposal focuses on the development of Galileo-enabled devices for the reception and notification of emergency warnings based on Galileo EWSS (e.g., smartphones, smartwatches, specialised equipment for outdoor activities and other sports wearables, dedicated receivers for buildings and dedicated receivers for cars and vessels).

Read this: Finding resiliency in the face of disaster

The maximum budget is set to 1.0M€ and the indicative number of projects to be awarded is two.

Deadline for submission: 31.05.2023

New Search and Rescue Beacon for Maritime

The launch of the Galileo constellation means a lot more than accurate navigation. The system was also set up to protect EU citizens through various services, one of them being the Galileo Search and Rescue (SAR) service, which in January 2020 announced a breakthrough feature: the Galileo Return Link Service (RLS).

Thanks to Galileo RLS, sailors in distress, with the appropriate beacon, will see a light indicating that their location has been established and the signal has been picked up by first responders. So far, Galileo is the only constellation to offer such a service to end users. The Galileo RLS increases survival rates by giving an important psychological boost to people in distress.

To meet evolving user needs, the current call foresees the development of new beacons with the capacity to continuously read the Galileo return link messages embedded in the navigation message. This allows the Galileo ground segment to provide specific information that can be relevant to emergency beacons. For example, it would be possible to request a specific beacon to be remotely activated. This service is called Galileo Remote SAR Beacon Activation (RBA).

The maximum budget is set to 4M€ and the indicative number of projects to be awarded is three. 

Deadline for submission: 31.05.2023

More details about these two calls will be made available during EUSPA’s upcoming Fundamental Elements online Workshop via Webex, to be held on 28 April from 10.00 to 12.30 CET, the workshop will include in-depth information on the funding programme and the application process. More information on the workshop available at this link. 

The Webinar will also feature several project teams funded during the first Fundamental Elements call, who will share their experiences, best practices and advice for putting together a successful project.

Join us here.

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).

From funding to market intelligence, EUSPA supports the EU Space industry through the entire innovation cycle. Fundamental Elements has been a key tool in the uptake of the European GNSS Galileo. Fundamental Elements is an R&D funding mechanism designed to support the development of innovative chipset, antenna and receiver technologies. In doing so, the programme helps accelerate the integration of Galileo into market-ready devices and solutions. The objectives of the programme can be summarised as follows:

• Facilitate the adoption of EGNSS, building on innovative services and differentiators;
• Improve the competitiveness of the EU industry;
• Address user needs in priority market segments;
• Maximise benefits for European citizens.

Projects funded by Fundamental Elements play a key role in EUSPA’s mission of driving the development and market uptake of Galileo-enabled receivers. 

The two new calls currently open are looking to support the development of two important Galileo services for emergency management.

Galileo Emergency Warning Satellite Service

When it comes to effectively preparing for and managing the consequences of a disaster, it is important to have access to precise and current information. GNSS-based applications make a significant contribution during the preparation and mitigation phases of disaster management, supporting GNSS monitoring and early warning systems for natural disasters.

Galileo, the European GNSS, will contribute to early warning systems through a new service called the “Galileo Emergency Warning Satellite Service” (EWSS). This satellite service, free of charge to users, will broadcast warning messages to the population threatened by natural disasters or other emergencies in affected areas.

The current call for proposal focuses on the development of Galileo-enabled devices for the reception and notification of emergency warnings based on Galileo EWSS (e.g., smartphones, smartwatches, specialised equipment for outdoor activities and other sports wearables, dedicated receivers for buildings and dedicated receivers for cars and vessels).

Read this: Finding resiliency in the face of disaster

The maximum budget is set to 1.0M€ and the indicative number of projects to be awarded is two.

Deadline for submission: 31.05.2023

New Search and Rescue Beacon for Maritime

The launch of the Galileo constellation means a lot more than accurate navigation. The system was also set up to protect EU citizens through various services, one of them being the Galileo Search and Rescue (SAR) service, which in January 2020 announced a breakthrough feature: the Galileo Return Link Service (RLS).

Thanks to Galileo RLS, sailors in distress, with the appropriate beacon, will see a light indicating that their location has been established and the signal has been picked up by first responders. So far, Galileo is the only constellation to offer such a service to end users. The Galileo RLS increases survival rates by giving an important psychological boost to people in distress.

To meet evolving user needs, the current call foresees the development of new beacons with the capacity to continuously read the Galileo return link messages embedded in the navigation message. This allows the Galileo ground segment to provide specific information that can be relevant to emergency beacons. For example, it would be possible to request a specific beacon to be remotely activated. This service is called Galileo Remote SAR Beacon Activation (RBA).

The maximum budget is set to 4M€ and the indicative number of projects to be awarded is three. 

Deadline for submission: 31.05.2023

More details about these two calls will be made available during EUSPA’s upcoming Fundamental Elements online Workshop via Webex, to be held on 28 April from 10.00 to 12.30, the workshop will include in-depth information on the funding programme and the application process. More information on the workshop available at this link. 

The Webinar will also feature several project teams funded during the first Fundamental Elements call, who will share their experiences, best practices and advice for putting together a successful project.

Join us here.

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).

Yes, although you might not realise it, you use satellite navigation almost daily. Positioning data is a part of everyday life. Knowing when your parcel will be delivered, picking the fastest route to your meeting or simply withdrawing cash from an ATM. All these actions are facilitated either by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) like Galileo, GPS, Beidou and GLONASS or Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) like EGNOS or WAAS (US).

 What is a SBAS?

Do we all use the same positioning data on our devices? "Not quite" explains EUSPA EGNOS Exploitation Programme Manager Jean-Marc Piéplu. "The vast majority of satellite navigation signals is accessible by anyone with a device capable of calculating them. But, not all users have the same needs, and therefore, the services offered by service providers like EUSPA are customised.’’

"Think of it like this, a pilot landing an Airbus A320 in a foggy setting needs greater confidence in its navigation system to guide the aircraft safely to the runway than a tourist finding its way on the digital map of a city or a farmer using satellites to accurately plough its field.  For the pilot, the signal must be continuous and absolutely reliable, in aviation there is no room for error when there are passengers on board.’’ he highlights. To meet evolving needs, EUSPA has been working closely with industry partners and institutional stakeholders to roll out various services both for Galileo and EGNOS.

EGNOS offers today three services to meet the needs of various user groups.

See how EGNOS works

The main objective of the EGNOS Open Service (OS) is to improve positioning accuracy by correcting several error sources affecting the GPS L1 (single-frequency) signals. EGNOS OS can only be used for non-safety critical purposes, i.e., purposes that have no impact on the safety of human life and where a failure in integrity or continuity of the EGNOS positioning solution could not cause any kind of direct or indirect personal damage, including bodily injuries or death. The EGNOS OS is accessible in Europe to any user equipped with an appropriate GPS/SBAS compatible receiver for which no specific receiver certification is required.

Likewise, EGNOS Data Access Service (EDAS) provides access to EGNOS data through the internet and the use is limited to non-safety purposes for users within surveying, mapping, construction, agriculture and more.

Things change drastically in the EGNOS Safety of Life (SoL). This service stands out not only in terms of the accuracy provided but also by its integrity. This is essential for applications in which human life could be in danger if the performance of the navigation system was degraded beyond the required level of accuracy. 

The main objective of the SoL service, which has been available since 2 March 2011, is to support civil aviation operations down to LPV (Localiser Performance with Vertical guidance) minima. To provide the SoL Service, the EGNOS system has been designed so that the EGNOS Signal-In-Space (SIS) complies with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices for SBAS. However, the SoL Service is also intended to support applications in other domains such as maritime, railways and road.

Read this: Hellenic Aviation Service Provider to host EGNOS V3 ground station in Athens, Greece

Integrity matters

The EGNOS SoL consists of the same signal and data than OS for correcting the Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Positioning Service (SPS) errors, but the OS data are complemented by alert and residual error bounding data which provide users with a guarantee of integrity of the horizontal and vertical positioning accuracy.

An EGNOS receiver provides permanently and in real-time not only a computed position, but also a “protection level” which operates like a virtual bubble around the computed 3D position: the probability that the real position is actually beyond this protection bubble remains smaller than one out of 10 million (10-7) over an entire precision approach. This is the warrantee ensured by EGNOS which is key in particular to a safe vertical guidance in Aviation: in case the “virtual bubble” exceeds pre-defined tolerance levels, an alarm is raised and the aircraft interrupts its approach to implement a reversion procedure (e.g. missed approach).

In order to access to this SoL service, a receiver certified as compliant to the minimum operation and performance standards is required. The SoL service is provided openly and is freely accessible without charge.

In addition to the aviation industry, other Safety-of-Life applications are being developed in other modes of transport, EGNOS is still the only solution for users who require high levels of integrity above the other requirements.

Going beyond Aviation, EUSPA is currently developing a new EGNOS service dedicated to the maritime users, which will complement and serve as an alternative to the local DGNSS networks currently deployed along European coasts. Additionally, in the maritime and inland waterways sector, EUSPA is supporting member states with the upgrade of shore station equipment that enables the transmission of EGNOS corrections over IALA Radio beacons and AIS stations. 

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).