Unlocking Europe’s satellite navigation potential at NAVISP Industry Days
Leading positioning, navigation and timing experts from companies and research institutions across Europe met last week at ESA’s NAVISP Industry Days, a two-day workshop dedicated to discussing trends and opportunities in this field.
ESA hosted last week its annual NAVISP Industry Days event. This year, more than 200 positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) professionals from across Europe gathered at ESA’s Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands to explore together opportunities for innovation, commercialisation and collaboration via ESA’s Navigation Innovation and Support Programme (NAVISP).
“We are in front of a revolution: satellite navigation is the largest downstream revenue market. We have a huge responsibility in supporting European leadership to unlock its enormous potential for society and economy,” stated Pierluigi Mancini, Head of NAVISP Programme, during the opening speech.
The event highlighted the critical importance of PNT across market areas. On the first day, a session on mobility saw representatives from automotive, rail and maritime sectors break down silos and identify common challenges. The afternoon session focused on alternative technologies such as 5G and eLoran and how they can contribute to making satellite navigation more resilient.
On the second day, panellists discussed the latest trends in the field, with an emphasis on sensor fusion and combination of technologies. Speakers talked about the integration of Artificial Intelligence in GNSS receivers and map development, improvements brought by quantum computing, mainstream demand for high accuracy and a multilayer approach to navigation, with low Earth orbit and enhanced technologies on the ground making satnav signals stronger, faster to acquire and more reliable.
Innovation does not only apply to techniques and technologies; speakers also presented novel applications of satellite navigation, for example under-ice oceanographic exploration for climate change monitoring or protection of critical underwater infrastructure such as submarine networks and offshore wind farms.
With support from the NAVISP programme, the European industry is already working on these innovations to materialise them in the next three to five years.
Broadening the network
While the sessions provided fascinating insights, participants underscored the value of networking. “The need to collaborate is also a driving force for innovation: during conversations I had with other participants new ideas arose. Our companies will hugely benefit from this experience,” one of the attendees said. “The event has been extremely successful in my view: I learned a lot and met many people I hope to be talking to in the future,” remarked another participant.
The event also provided a platform for PNT players to learn about the opportunities offered by NAVISP’s three elements: Innovation, Competitiveness and Support to Member States and their national strategies.
“We are delighted to see many industries attended NAVISP Industry Days for the first time this year, from aviation and urban air mobility to geomatics and agriculture. It is an excellent opportunity for us to assess if the programme is meeting the needs of an evolving and highly competitive market,” said Luis Mayo, Chair of the NAVISP Advisory Committee.
Indeed, NAVISP’s flagship event is crucial to shaping the programme and making sure it supports European leadership in navigation: “NAVISP is not a programme built by ESA, but built by you: participants, companies, delegations. Public money needs to be used as a catalyst, supporting pilot projects and innovation that can afterwards attract private investment,” concluded Head of NAVISP Technical Programme Office Rafael Lucas Rodríguez.
The presentations from this year’s NAVISP Industry Days can be found here. The next edition is planned for spring 2025.
About NAVISP
ESA navigation specialists are supporting cutting-edge European companies in the development of new PNT technologies and services – in support of Europe's industrial competitiveness, autonomy and leadership. The result is ESA’s Navigation Innovation and Support Programme, NAVISP.
NAVISP is looking into all kinds of clever ideas about the future of satellite navigation and positioning, navigation and timing: ways to improve satellite navigation, alternative positioning systems and new navigation services and applications.
For more information, visit the NAVISP webpage.