Galileo Service Provision: One Year under GSA Responsibility

Paper number

IAC-18,B2,5,1,x45795

Author

Mr. Rodrigo da Costa, Czech Republic, European GNSS Agency (GSA)

Coauthor

Mr. Stefano Iannitti, Czech Republic, European GNSS Agency (GSA)

Coauthor

Mr. Philippe Rosius, France, European GNSS Agency (GSA)

Coauthor

Mr. Patrick Hamilton, Czech Republic, European GNSS Agency (GSA)

Coauthor

Mr. Gian-Gherardo Calini, Czech Republic, European GNSS Agency (GSA)

Coauthor

Dr. Peter Buist, The Netherlands, European GNSS Agency (GSA)

Year

2018

Abstract

Galileo is Europe’s Global Satellite Navigation System (GNSS), providing improved positioning and timing information with significant positive implications for many European services and users.

On the 1st of July 2017 and following a six-month handover phase the European GNSS Agency (GSA) officially took over the responsibility for overseeing the operations and service provision for Galileo – a responsibility that includes ensuring a return on investment from Galileo in the form of across-the-board services and applications. The journey began when the European Commission issued Regulation 1285/2013, delegating the responsibility for overseeing this key phase to the GSA. The Declaration of Initial Services in December 2016 and the awarding of the Galileo Service Operator (GSOp) contract marked the official transition of Galileo from a testing phase to a system in service.

Overseeing the Galileo service provision requires the GSA to wear multiple hats. For example, GSA’s responsibilities include operating the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre (GSMC) and the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) in Spain, and overseeing the Galileo Reference Centre (GRC) in the Netherlands. GSA is also charged with maximising Galileo adoption across user market segments, including positioning Galileo as the leading constellation in search and rescue beacons and making the Public Regulated Service (PRS) the service of choice for all authorised users. In parallel to the development of the service provision, additional satellites continue to be added to the Galileo constellation, allowing higher precision and availability to become available. 

In preparing for the role, the GSA has leaned heavily on our strong track record and experience from our work with EGNOS, where GSA has been responsible for the programme’s service provision since 2014. Of course, this was accomplished with the help and support of our colleagues at the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA). ESA is in charge of the system activities and the deployment of the ground and space segments, while working closely with the GSA for service provision. GSA is also integrating senior ESA expertise, bringing in knowledge of the system and operations, to ensure that high quality services van be delivered to the users.

This paper presents the main outcomes of the first year of Galileo service provision under GSA responsibility, highlighting also the structure put in place to provide high quality services to the users, and the recent and planned evolutions of the Galileo services.

Abstract document

IAC-18,B2,5,1,x45795.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-18,B2,5,1,x45795.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.