Author Archives: Galileo GNSS

ESA proves new technologies to power future launchers

Expander-cycle Technology Integrated Demonstrator

Expander-cycle Technology Integrated Demonstrator

A full-scale demonstrator of the thrust chamber for an upper-stage rocket engine incorporating the newest propulsion technologies is being prepared for its first hot firing.

The Expander-cycle Technology Integrated Demonstrator, or ETID, has arrived at the DLR German Aerospace Center test facility in Lampoldshausen for tests. It will help to prove new technologies, materials and manufacturing techniques that offer higher performance at lower cost for Europe’s future launchers.

ETID is a precursor of the next generation of 10-tonne rocket engines. Some of the technologies could also be used on upgrades to the existing Vinci, which powers the upper stage of Ariane 6. Read more…

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Towards a more connected society and economy

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

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

By Carlo des Dorides*:

Space has a key role to play in ensuring a prosperous and socially-inclusive Europe, writes Carlo des Dorides.

The world in which we live, and the role that space plays in this world, is changing fast. Smartphones are now ubiquitous, not just in Europe and the rest of the developed world, but in developing countries also. And where the smartphone goes, the internet goes too, even if the way in which it is delivered may differ.

This so-called ‘connected society’ has two core components – communication and content. As the Executive Director of the European GNSS agency (GSA), I am naturally more focused on the former, but the latter is just as important, and the two go hand in hand. Read more…

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Auto makers equip all new car and van models with life-saving eCall

Auto makers equip all new car with eCall

All new car will be equipped with eCall

As of today  (31 March), automobile manufacturers will equip all new types of cars and vans with eCall; a system that automatically dials emergency services in the event of a serious road traffic accident.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) welcomes this milestone, which has been made possible thanks to huge investments by the industry.

“eCall has the potential to save many lives by shortening the reaction time of emergency services. This means that ambulances, fire engines and the police can intervene as quickly as possible within the ‘golden hour’ after a collision,” explained ACEA Secretary General, Erik Jonnaert. Read more…

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Mobile World Congress Report: European GNSS answers the call for solutions

Several new chipsets and smartphones announced during MWC 2018 feature Galileo capability

Several new chipsets and smartphones announced during MWC 2018 feature Galileo capability

Whether it is dual frequency chipsets or new smartphones, European GNSS was behind many of the technology announcements made during Mobile World Congress 2018.

As the world’s premiere mobile technology trade show, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) is traditionally technology driven. But, according to Stuart Carlaw, Chief Research Officer at ABI Research, this is starting to change. “The mobile community continues to peddle technology rather than offer holistic solutions,” he says. “But enterprises want solutions, not an alphabet soup of three letter abbreviations.”

Answering this call for solutions are the GNSS mass market innovations on display in Barcelona during MWC 2018. Whether it is chipsets, smartphones, drones, robots or autonomous vehicles, most depend on GNSS – including Galileo – to translate this technology into actual solutions. Read more…

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Indra expands with four new stations the Galileo ground segment

Indra expands with four new stations the Galileo ground segmentIndra has been awarded a contract for implementing four new Uplink Stations (ULS), thus expanding the ground segment of the European global positioning system, Galileo. Awarded by the company Thales Alenia Space (France), this contract also includes maintenance and upgrades for all Uplink stations.

The new stations will join the ten uplink stations that Indra has already put into service and six others currently in development from a previous contract.  Read more…

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GSA and Thales launch the EDG²E project to further optimise aviation navigation with Galileo

GSA and Thales launch the EDG²E projectThe GSA has officially launched the EDG²E project (Equipment for Dual frequency Galileo GPS and EGNOS) with a consortium led by Thales. This four-year project intends to develop a dual-frequency multi-constellation receiver, enabling enhanced navigation capabilities, support standardisation and certification preparation. The consortium includes Thales, Thales Alenia Space and ATR, as well as contributions from Dassault Aviation and the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC).

The GNSS receiver is the cornerstone of aircraft navigation systems. The system processes signals from satellite constellations and the Space Based Augmentation System (SBAS) to accurately determine aircraft position, altitude and velocity. The prototype receiver developed under the auspices of the EDG²E project will use signals from US GPS and European Galileo positioning systems, as well as from SBAS multi-constellation EGNOS. The project aims to achieve a prototype demonstration by 2021. The prototype receiver performance will be evaluated during a flight test campaign performed by ATR using one of the company’s test aircraft. Read more…

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u‑blox and Galileo – advancing accuracy over 20 years

Two decades after it was first conceived, the Galileo global navigation satellite system is raining down its signals across the globe. u‑blox, one of the few European‑based manufacturers of GNSS receiver chips, also twenty years old this year, has been closely keeping apace with Galileo’s development through their joint history.

Galileo_sat_constallation

But first, why yet another GNSS constellation? What does Galileo offer that GPS, GLONASS, and BEIDOU didn’t provide? Read more…

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