Author Archives: Galileo GNSS

“I am a true believer in the European project” – Carlo des Dorides

Carlo des Dorides took up his position as executive director of the European GNSS Agency (GSA) on February 1, 2011. In the nine years since then, the Galileo programme has progressed from a project on paper to an operational programme with over a billion users around the globe. As his term at the helm of the Agency draws to an end, the GSA executive director looks back at the successes and challenges of the past nine years and speaks about his hopes for the future.

Carlo des Dorides and his team at GSA headquarters in Prague

Carlo des Dorides and his team at GSA headquarters in Prague

During your nine years at the head of the GSA there have been significant advances in the European GNSS programme. What do you see as the greatest achievement during your term? Read more…

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Reaching you faster – when every minute matters

Search and Rescue (SAR) operations involve locating and helping people in distress. They can be carried out in a variety of locations including at sea, in mountains or deserts, and in urban areas. With the launch of Initial Services, Galileo will help SAR operators respond to distress signals faster and more effectively while also lowering their own exposure to risk… Search and Rescue service is Galileo’s contribution to the international Cospas-Sarsat network. Galileo is a EU programme, carried out in cooperation with the European Space Agency.

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Galileo now replying to SOS messages worldwide

As well as providing global navigation services, Europe’s Galileo satellite constellation is contributing to saving more than 2000 lives annually by relaying SOS messages to first responders. And from now on the satellites will reply to these messages, assuring people in danger that help is on the way.

Operation shark bait

This ESA-design ‘return link’ system, unique to Galileo, was declared operational this week, during the 12th European Space Conference in Belgium. The delivery time for the return link acknowledgement messages from initial emergency beacon activation is expected to be a couple of minutes in the majority of cases, up to 30 minutes maximum, depending primarily on the time it takes to detect and locate the alert. Read more…

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12th European Space Conference – Closing speech

By Thierry Breton*:

I am very happy to be with you today to participate to my first Space Conference. A few months ago, I would have never imagined to be here in front of you, delivering a speech on the priorities for Europe on space.

Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market

Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market

But I am particularly pleased, because as I said in my hearing, I had many lives but always the same driver: passion. Read more…

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Galileo Return Link Service declared Operational at European Space Conference

The Galileo Return Link Service, which allows people in distress to receive automatic acknowledgement that their signal has been received, was declared operational at the 12th European Space Conference, in the Egmont Palace in Brussels on January 21.

Galileo Return Link Service declared Operational

Galileo Return Link Service declared Operational

The Galileo Return Link Service (RLS) is a free-of-charge global service available to Cospas-Sarsat RLS compatible beacons. The new functionality, currently offered uniquely by Galileo, enables a communication link that relays Return Link Messages (RLM) back to the originating beacon through the Galileo Navigation Signal in Space (I/NAV E1). Read more…

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European Space Week 2019

The European Space Week is the leading event for the European space programmes in 2019. It brings together business, policy-makers, international experts and the space application user community. The event will present first-hand insights into the European Union’s Space Programmes Copernicus, EGNOS and Galileo and updates on the New Space Economy, as well as discussing how space solutions can contribute to a sustainable Europe and a sustainable future.

With a mix of keynotes, panel discussions, networking opportunities, business matchmaking sessions and exhibitions, it provides the perfect setup for a productive exchange of game-changing ideas, future trends and current challenges.

This year’s European Space Week focuses on the following central themes: Read more…

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