New contracts to modernise Galileo ground segment for next generation

These contracts support a significant modernisation of the Galileo ground segment, which ensures the accuracy and reliability of the time and positioning information embedded in the signals from the Galileo satellites in orbit. The new ground stations to be developed by Indra Space are key enablers for improved existing and new Galileo services. These stations will use state-of-the-art technology to provide even better flexibility, performance and security to the Galileo ground segment.

“This Galileo second generation ground segment evolution is at the cutting edge of technology,” said Ennio Guarino, Head of the Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department at the European Space Agency (ESA). “Modernising key aspects and increasing its resilience will support the enhanced services that will be provided with the Galileo second generation satellites being launched in the coming years.”

Building blocks for the future

This contract will develop the building blocks for the Galileo second generation ground segment by producing new world-wide distributed ground sensor stations and ground uplink stations. The ground sensor stations monitor and collect information from the signals broadcast by Galileo satellites. This information is used in the Galileo control centres, to generate the navigation messages that is then distributed to the satellites using the ground uplink stations.

The new sensor and uplink stations will be able to operate the first and new generations of the Galileo satellites, offering enhanced robustness and performance. After qualifying the new ground stations, additional units of these stations will be produced and gradually deployed to the Galileo ground station sites located around the world.

Technology upgrades

The new sensor stations produced by Indra Space will include a variety of technological upgrades. By transitioning towards modern architecture of ground data centres and moving toward software defined radio technology, the new ground stations will be easier to maintain and upgrade, offering a faster time to market for new features. The addition of controlled reception pattern antennas will increase the resilience of the ground sensor stations against jamming and spoofing that impacts the reception of signals broadcast by the Galileo satellites.

In addition, new uplink stations will develop new phased array antenna uplink technologies in parallel to the traditional dish antennas. These new technologies use electronics to steer radio waves toward the satellites. This will allow faster and better communication with satellites and improve the availability of the uplink stations.

About Galileo

Galileo is currently the world’s most precise satellite navigation system, serving billions of users around the globe since entering Open Service in 2016. All smartphones sold in the European Single Market are guaranteed Galileo-enabled. In addition, Galileo is making a difference across the fields of rail, maritime, agriculture, financial timing services and rescue operations.

The Galileo programme is managed and funded by the European Commission under the EU Space programme. ESA leads the design, development and qualification of the space and ground systems and acts as technical launch authority. ESA is also entrusted with research and development activities for the future of Galileo within the EU programme Horizon Europe. The EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) acts as the service provider, responsible for managing the Galileo launches, bringing the satellites into service and overseeing their operation and connecting to the market and application needs.

For more info about Galileo: https://www.usegalileo.eu/EN/