Galileo Second Generation Development Contract Awarded
The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded a key development contract to Thales Alenia Space for the development of Galileo Second Generation satellites.
Thales was a prime contractor for Galileo First Generation’s Ground Mission Segment. This latest contract, awarded on behalf of the European Commission in the Horizon 2020 Satellite Navigation Program (HSNAV), is to develop the Advanced Orbit Determination and Time Synchronisation (ODTS) Algorithms Test Platform (A-OATP).
This contract follows Thales Alenia Space’s selection a few months ago for Galileo Second Generation constellation for which the company will provide 6 satellites and initiate the B2 phase regarding the development and implementation of its ground segment.
Using its long-standing legacy regarding navigation algorithms in addition to an innovative approach, Thales Alenia Space will develop and test a new Advanced ODTS solution. These new orbitography algorithms will allow a significant improvement in positioning performance and real-time operability of the Galileo system, by exploiting the accuracy of GNSS orbit and clock estimation, with a solution optimized for the real time generation of Galileo navigation messages, and taking full advantage of the evolutions of satellites and ground stations considered in the Galileo 2nd Generation.
With this new contract, Thales Alenia Space applies on a deep experience concerning orbitography algorithms as well as a good knowledge of the Galileo system, to strengthen its position as a major actor for the development of the new generation of this satellite system.
Galileo is Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, providing a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control. Currently providing Initial Services, Galileo is interoperable with GPS and Glonass, the US and Russian global satellite navigation systems. By offering dual frequencies as standard, Galileo is set to deliver real-time positioning accuracy down to the metre range.
The fully deployed Galileo system will consist of 24 operational satellites plus six in-orbit spares, positioned in three circular Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) planes at 22,300 miles above the Earth, and at an inclination of the orbital planes of 56 degrees to the equator.
(Image provided with Thales Alenia Space news release. Additional information provided by ESA)