Galileo Satellite Navigation System

Pathfinder is part of a program to produce lunar navigation and communications infrastructure

Space

ESA's Pathfinder mission to test sat-nav coverage in lunar orbit

ESA plans to use its upcoming Lunar Pathfinder mission to experiment with expanding sat nav coverage to the Moon. By tuning in to the Galileo and GPS satellite constellations, the goal is to provide more precise fixes for spacecraft in lunar orbit.

Model Galileo satellte at the system's Control Centre at Oberpfaffenhofen

Space

ESA's Galileo satnav system can now reply to SOS signals

Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system can now not only receive, relay, and locate distress beacon signals, it can also respond to the SOS, sending back reassurances to those awaiting rescue in as little as 30 minutes.

Space

Britain pursuing GPS alternative to EU's Galileo program

After months of speculation, the British government has committed itself to developing an alternative satellite system if negotiations over the EU's Galileo system fail and has announced that it has begun A £92 million study to begin design and development of a sovereign British navigation system.

Space

Seventh and eighth satellites join the Galileo constellation

Two new Galileo satellites have been successfully placed in orbit. They're joining the existing six probes in the constellation that aim to provide a European alternative to GPS and Glonass networks.

The two latest Galileo have now been placed on a corrected path (blue) following their release into an elongated (red) orbit last year – the orbit of previous Galileo satellites can be seen in green (Image: ESA)

Space

ESA successfully corrects sixth Galileo satellite's orbit

The ESA has successfully corrected the orbit of its sixth Galileo satellite following its launch into an elongated orbit in August 2014. It took 14 maneuvers to reposition the probe, which is designed to form part of a new global navigation system on par with existing GPS and Glonass solutions.

Space

DeOrbiter microsatellite could put wayard satellites back on track

Tel Aviv-based start up Effective Space Solutions claims that its DeOrbiter microsatellites could not only be used to dispose of defunct geosynchronous satellites, but could also rescue a pair of errant Galileo satellites currently trapped in the wrong orbit and put them back into service.

Artists impression of one of the twin Galileo satellites set for launch next month (Image: OHB)

Space

ESA mission operators prepare for post launch control of twin Galileo satellites

The ESA's post launch team are ready to guide and take control of a twin set of Galileo satellites, undertaking a number of procedures and adjustments in order to ready the pair for orbital duties.

Telecommunications

EU launches free EGNOS satnav system

EGNOS, a free to access satellite based augmentation system (SBAS) that improves the accuracy of current Global Positioning System (GPS) signals in Europe from about ten meters to two meters is now operational.

Researchers and mountain rescue workers discuss the requirements to be met by a new, automatic positioning system for avalanche victimsPhoto: Fraunhofer IML

Outdoors

Tracking system promises faster help for avalanche victims

A new positioning system which will use Galileo, the future European global positioning satellite system, may prove to be a life saver for avalanche victims.

GSTB-V2/A in orbit (artist's impression)Photo: ESA

Science

Galileo signal reflections to monitor waves and weather at sea

A signal from a Galileo satellite has been captured after reflection off the ocean surface, opening the way for a system to provide severe weather warnings to mariners, data for global climate change models and even the potential to detect tsunamis.