Space blog - GPS and GNSS

Successful launch of first Galileo IOV satellites

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:00:41 +0100

SSTL congratulates the EU, ESA and Astrium on the successful launch of the two first in-orbit validation (IOV) satellites, which marks a critical step for the Galileo system.

Galileo is the upcoming European satellite navigation system, equivalent to the American Global Positioning System (GPS). Galileo will start operating in 2014 as a free consumer navigation service, with more specialised services to be rolled out until 2020, when it’s planned to be fully operational

Launched by a Russian Soyuz rocket from the base in French Guiana on Friday 21 October 07:30 local time (11:30 BST), the satellites are now in their 23,000km orbit above Earth.

Friday’s launch is the beginning of the deployment of the operational system, with two further satellites of a similar design to be launched next. A further fourteen satellites being manufactured by the OHB / SSTL team will begin launching in 2012.

To find out more on Friday’s launch, read this BBC News online article

GNSS team in WaveSentry sea forecast project

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 08:49:50 +0100

Satellite navigation (GNSS) experts from SSTL are contributing remote sensing and satellite know-how to a pioneering UK-led project that aims to improve forecasting of adverse weather conditions at sea.

Using satellite data to measure ocean roughness has been an area of interest for SSTL since an experimental GNSS receiver payload was launched onboard its UK-DMC satellite. During the past few years, the GNSS receivers team has investigated the use of GNSS reflectometry – the use of reflected navigation signals from space to characterise ocean weather – with promising results, and produced a prototype instrument in collaboration with partners in the UK that will be developed into a payload for the TechDemoSat-1 technology demonstration satellite.

Smarter shipping
In addition to shipping, many marine operations such as offshore oil platforms and renewable energy projects depend on high quality information on sea-state (wave height, period, direction, steepness) for economic and safety decision making. However, the information currently available is based on atmospheric/ocean models and lacks sufficient temporal and spatial resolution.

Martin Unwin, Principal Engineer commented,

Wave conditions are always changing and can vary tremendously over just 100km, or over a period of two hours. This also makes modelling and forecasting very difficult, so the most immediate use of this data is more likely to be what we call ‘nowcasting’ – assessing current conditions thoroughly before commencing an operation.

Another problem with conventional methods is that the use of buoys provides good information around the coast and shipping lanes, but is simply not economical nor practical for charting the vast oceans of Earth. This is one area where satellites, with their global view, are ideally equipped.

All hands on deck
Recognising the opportunity for an improved system, the UK’s Technology Strategy Board has provided co-funding for the WaveSentry project. WaveSentry will address shortcomings on two fronts:

By exploiting new data sources that include SSTL’s novel satellite remote measurements of wave steepness.

By integrating data from all sources in a single system (including real-time buoy and ship data).

This multi-disciplinary project will bring together partners from all areas to develop and apply techniques to substantially enhance the integration of diverse data sources to offer improved data about adverse sea-states to a number of markets. SSTL and its partner National Oceanographic Centre, Southampton, are investigating the potential for spaceborne GNSS Reflectometry measurements to contribute towards knowledge of sea state in combination with other data sources.

You can keep up to date with the WaveSentry project on the the Marine Southeast website.

SSTL receives first payload equipment for European Sat-Nav

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:30:03 +0000

SSTL has taken delivery of a Search and Rescue Antenna (SARANT) for use to support the development of the fully operational satellites that will power Europe’s new satellite navigation system.

An important milestone, this is the first payload equipment to be delivered to SSTL since it was selected by the European Space Agency to deliver the navigation payloads for the first 14 satellites in the system just over a year ago. SSTL’s partner OHB-System in Germany is prime contractor, building the satellite bus for these satellites.

The Search and Rescue Antenna

As part of a Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), Europe’s new sat-nav service will provide highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning, including specialised rescue services. Consisting of 30 satellites in 56 degrees inclined circular Medium-Earth-Orbits, the baseline is a constellation with 9 equally spaced satellites (plus one spare) per orbit.

The newly delivered Search & Rescue antenna will be used by SSTL in the full engineering model of the payload.

The Search and Rescue Payload on the satellites will relay distress and co-ordination messages from the COSPAS-SARSAT Search and Rescue service. The diagram below shows a fully operational satellite with the SARANT visible on top.

Fully operational satellite with the SARANT

Continue reading "SSTL receives first payload equipment for European Sat-Nav"

Milestone for European GNSS pathfinder GIOVE-A

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:38:11 +0000

It’s now five years since Space Blog reported on GIOVE-A transmitting its first signals for the European GNSS system. The first validation satellite GIOVE-A, was launched in December 2005 by a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur in Kazakhstan, and is still working well five years after the satellite payload was commanded 'on' from the SSTL Mission Control Centre.

With a design lifetime of 27 months, the five-year-old has exceeded all expectations. Part of its long lifespan can be put down to design margins, though luck comes into it as well, according to GIOVE manager at ESA, Valter Alpe. The satellite has been orbiting through an exceptionally quiet time in the 11-year solar cycle, meaning it has accumulated lower radiation doses than originally anticipated.

GIOVE-A launch preparations

GIOVE-A was built by SSTL in just 30 months and carries a prototype rubidium atomic clock designed for the European GNSS constellation. In 2008 GIOVE-A was joined by GIOVE-B, equipped with an ultra-precise passive hydrogen maser design as well as a second rubidium clock. Operational European GNSS satellites will carry both clock designs for maximum reliability.

Super accurate atomic clocks for Galileo

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:36:50 +0100

During the Farnborough Airshow, a contract was signed for the provision of the Passive Hydrogen MASER (PHM) atomic clocks that will provide an essential timekeeper reference for the navigation payloads that SSTL is building for the Galileo navigation system, a programme of and funded by the European Union.

Contract signing

The PHM atomic clocks will be provided by SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, for installation on each of the 14 satellites in the Galileo system, under a contract of more than 30m Euros.

PHM atomic clock

The Passive Hydrogen MASER is the most stable clock ever produced for space applications with a frequency stability better than 10-14 day, and is currently demonstrating outstanding performance on board the Galileo GIOVE-B satellite. It is used as reference timekeeper to measure distance and positions in navigation systems. Its stability is better than 0,00000036 seconds in one year, equivalent to 1 second every 3 million years.

Timing is fundamental to Galileo and is essential for all services. It is best illustrated in positioning calculations, where a timing deviation of 1ns could result in a positioning error of 30cm on Earth.

Continue reading "Super accurate atomic clocks for Galileo"

SSTL leads GNSS reflectometry prototype

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:04:04 +0100

Development of a new instrument that could use satellite navigation signals to determine sea-surface roughness, ice characteristics, or soil moisture content has received a boost from the Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI). The SSTL-led team will continue the development in a CEOI funded project. The CEOI is an initiative to develop the next generation of Earth observation instruments, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Technology Strategy Board (TSB).

Illustration of satellite collecting GPS reflectometry measurements over the ocean and ice as a new means of remote sensing

The new project will continue the development of the instrument that exploits signals from the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) satellites that are reflected from land, ice and ocean.

Continue reading "SSTL leads GNSS reflectometry prototype"

Green light for Galileo satellites

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:05:17 +0000

Today at 12:30 in Brussels, the EC announced that the SSTL and OHB-System team has been selected by ESA to supply 14 navigation satellites for the deployment phase of the Galileo satellite navigation system in a deal worth 560m Euro.

Galileo satellite

The two companies agreed to work together as a “core team” on Galileo at the end of 2007, with OHB taking the role of prime contractor and builder of the spacecraft “bus” and SSTL taking full responsibility for the navigation payloads onboard the satellite that will form the heart of the Galileo navigation system.

SSTL Group CEO Dr Matt Perkins is delighted with the news:

The award of this contract is an important step for SSTL. Our satellites are already providing operational services for many government and commercial customers and we are pleased to have a major role within Europe’s flagship Galileo programme. The experience gained on GIOVE-A will help us to ensure the contract will be a success for the EC and ESA. This programme will also help to establish SSTL as a provider of communications and navigation satellites into other markets.

It was champagne all round at SSTL in Guildford as the news was announced, warming spirits despite worst snow for 30 years affecting the local area.

A jubilant SSTL’s Executive Chairman, Sir Martin Sweeting, added

This award is great news for the UK space industry and once again confirms SSTL as a world leader in sophisticated satellites and payloads, building on its 25-year history pioneering small satellites with 34 already launched, truly changing the economics of space.

The first Galileo satellites produced under this contract will be launched from 2013. To help improve the overall schedule the team was authorised by the EC and ESA to initiate the procurement of long lead items for the full system during 2009 which will enable the team to make a quick start towards an operational Galileo constellation.
Continue reading "Green light for Galileo satellites"

Galileo satellite's 4th birthday today

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:54:52 +0000

SSTL is celebrating the 4th anniversary of the launch of its historic GIOVE-A satellite today. As the first of the Galileo In Orbit Validation Element satellites, GIOVE-A was the first step in Europe's visionary Galileo satellite navigation programme when it was launched on December 28th 2005.

During the past 4 years, SSTL and GIOVE-A have contributed significantly to the testing and validation of technologies vital to the now imminent operational constellation of satellites. The 660 kg GIOVE-A satellite was built by SSTL for ESA in just 30 months at a cost of just 28m Euros.

SSTL CEO Dr. Matt Perkins commented

SSTL is proud of its involvement with the Galileo programme and the continuing success of GIOVE-A. This mission has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of SSTL’s small satellite approach for the delivery of operational missions.

GIOVE-A was the first part of the in-orbit validation programme for Galileo, broadcasting the first signal to successfully secure the critical Galileo frequency filing with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) at 17:25 GMT on the 12th January 2006. This was a significant achievement for SSTL having commissioned the necessary systems to achieve this broadcast in just 3 weeks.

On the 2nd May 2007 GIOVE-A successfully transmitted the first Galileo navigation message from space, containing the information needed by users' receivers to calculate their position using the future Galileo satellite navigation service. These signals have since been used for signal quality testing and for equipment manufacturers and the scientific community to validate prototype Galileo receivers.

Throughout the past 4 years, the satellite has provided valuable data about the Medium Earth Orbit which the Galileo constellation will occupy, helping to characterise the radiation environment and validating subsystems such as an atomic clock and the Galileo signal broadcasting payload.

In July and August this year, GIOVE-A was gradually moved to a higher orbit to ensure that it does not cross the operational Galileo constellation’s orbits when the first operation satellites are launched in 2012. The satellite has been in orbit for 21 months beyond its original 27 month mission design life and continues to provide critical data to all of the ground users experimenting with Galileo navigation signals

SSTL, together with its partner OHB-System of Bremen, Germany form the core team of one of the two consortia bidding for the operational satellites. The final proposal was delivered to ESA in November and the outcome of the evaluation process is awaited. To help improve the overall schedule the team was authorised by the EC and ESA to initiate the procurement of long lead items for the full system earlier this year. The British space pioneer looks forward to continued success supporting the European Space Agency (ESA) and the EC with the expertise it has gained and its cost effective and reliable approach to satellite and subsystem design and manufacture.

GALILEO and GMES headline EU space conference

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:42:18 +0100

On October 15th and 16th, the great and the good will descend on Brussels to discuss the future of the European Space Policy. The conference, which is named “The ambitions of Europe in Space” will address Europe’s most ambitious programmes: GALILEO and GMES and their prospective benefits to technology, industry and society.

Prominent guests will include President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, the President of the new European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, and the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Philippe Maystadt. Several others European leaders, such as Vice-Presidents Antonio Tajani and Jacques Barrot, or Jean-Jacques Dordain, General Manager of ESA also confirmed their participation.

Conference organiser Business Bridge Europe (BBE) will bring together European Institutions, national and local public authorities, R&D centres, manufacturers and everyone interested in meeting and discussing space policy, space systems’ applications and their financing.

On the 15th SSTL CEO, Dr. Matt Perkins will deliver a keynote speech about “The external dimension of the space authority: the example of Africa” alongside other industry representatives. The following day, DMCii Managing Director, Dave Hodgson will join other remote sensing experts from ESA and industry to discuss “Environment, Energy, Home Land Security and Agriculture”.
Continue reading "GALILEO and GMES headline EU space conference"

Galileo satellite progress from Paris

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:47:23 +0100

Gaileo is turning out to be a hot topic at this year's Paris Air Show. On the 15th June ESA and Arianespace signed a contract for the launch of the first four operational Galileo satellites on two Soyuz launch vehicles from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Also this week, ESA and the OHB/SSTL consortium signed a contract for sourcing long-lead items for Galileo satellites.

The Galileo In-Orbit Validation (IOV) Launch Services Contract covers the launch of the first four operational Galileo satellites using two Soyuz launch vehicles that will lift off from the Guiana Space Centre (Centre Spatial Guyanais – CSG), Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Galileo IOV launch signing
ESA - S. Corvaja, 2009

This new development follows the successful launch of the GIOVE-A satellite which was built by SSTL and the GIOVE-B satellite which was to be built by the European Satellite Navigation Industries satellite consortium and ultimately completed by Astrium. Both satellites have provided a great deal of data, for example helping with with clock characterisation, Galileo signal testing and in understanding the radiation that future Galileo satellites such as the new IOV satellites can expect in Medium Earth orbit (MEO).

The signature of the IOV Launch Services Contract in Paris marks an important milestone for the Galileo programme as it progresses towards the operational deployment of the satellites of the Galileo satellite navigation system. The four IOV satellites will be placed in a circular orbit at an altitude of MEO of 23 600 km by the end of 2010. Development of the Galileo system is being carried out under a joint ESA/European Union programme.

The launch vehicle chosen to carry the four Galileo IOV satellites into orbit is the Soyuz ST-B with a Fregat MT upper stage, which has been adapted for the deployment needs of the Galileo programme. The Soyuz at CSG Programme is an ESA Programme with co-funding of Arianespace and the European Union.

Galileo operational constellation
Meanwhile, ESA and the bidder consortium led by OHB-System AG and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) have signed a contract for sourcing long-lead items for satellites for the future European Galileo navigation system in Paris the same week. The EUR 10 million contract is carried out under a program initiated and funded by the European Union.

Through this contract, OHB and SSTL are able to place orders for satellite technologies which require considerable lead times for development and sourcing ahead of the award of the actual contract for the construction of the satellites. The Galileo System customers, the European Union and the ESA, are thus ensuring that the schedule for implementation of Galileo can be maintained.

OHB and SSTL are one of two consortia bidding for the development and con-struction of 28 satellites for Galileo. By allowing two consortia to build spacecraft for this significant undertaking, ESA is ensuring that the full operational capa-bility can be put in place as soon as possible and at best value to the EU. The system is to be fully operational by 2013 following full contract signature later in 2009.

RIN GNSS conference in September

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:41:32 +0000

Many thanks to Dr. Renato Filjar for drawing our attention to the Royal Institute of Navigation and the Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy, University of Nottingham 2nd GNSS Vulnerabilities and Solutions 2009 Conference to be held on 2 - 5 September 2009 in Baska, Krk Island, Croatia.

This four-day event aims to gather GNSS experts and focuses on GNSS problems and vulnerabilities, as well as to developments aiming to improve the accuracy and reliability of GNSS. Unique environment of Baska and its natural resources and rich history, combined with friendly hospitality will again create an inspiring atmosphere for ideas and knowledge exchange, well known to those who attended the last year's conference.

Two special sessions will be organised in order to address particular causes of GNSS vulnerabilities: Space Weather and Ionospheric Effects on GNSS, and Safety Critical Applications (including emergency situations management, homeland security and Intelligent Transport Systems). The rest of the conference will address other causes of GNSS vulnerabilities and means of their over-comings, such as GNSS system and augnetation vulnerabilities, GNSS interference and management, tropospheric impact on GNSS, navigation algorithms. The design of user equipment will also be considered, with an insight into user experience and applications.

Two special sessions will be organised to address particular causes of GNSS vulnerabilities: Space Weather and Ionospheric Effects on GNSS, and
Safety Critical Applications (concerning primarily ITS).

Extended abstracts should be submitted to Dr Renato Filjar, FRIN by e-mail no later than 1 May, 2009. His email address is rfiljar@vtsbj.hr

Dr. Renato Filjar invites you to join the leading GNSS experts and discuss the most important issues related to further exploitations of satellite navigation systems in the wonderful Mediterranean environment of Northern Adriatic. In addition, the organising committee kindly appreciate your efforts in informing your colleagues about the event.

For more details visit the RIN conference page

Galileo Open Service discussion at RIN

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:04:15 +0000

A one-day seminar discussing the Galileo Open Service is being organised by the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) Space Special Interest Group on the 12th February at the Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore in London. Speakers from European organisations, Government, Industry and Users will make this an important event for anyone with an interest in Galileo, the European Global Navigation Satellite System.

If you want to find out more about the Galileo Open Service, whether "one size fits all" and discuss the market for the other Galileo services it's worth booking in.

SSTL's Phil Davies has been involved in Galileo since 2003, following the European global satellite navigation system's development from the outset of GIOVE and the launch to its first SSTL-built satellite GIOVE-A. His presentation is entitled "The cost benefit of simplifying Galileo".

Phil will be joined by fellow expert speakers representing satellite navigation equipment manufacturers and end users who will discuss the interoperability between Police, Fire and Ambulance and the impact of Galileo on Road Safety and separate talks on the closely related road pricing enforcement and inner city congestion charging.

The Galileo Open Service (OS) caters for mass-market applications. Similar to the free service currently provided to civilian GPS users, it provides signals for timing and positioning, without user authentication direct to any user with suitable equipment free of charge. For most purposes, cheap single-frequency receivers will be used, but increased accuracy is possible by utilising up to 3 signals. Galileo's Open Service applications will use a combination of Galileo and GPS signals to significantly improve performance in severe environments such as urban areas and offshore areas.

The Open Service does not offer integrity information, and the determination of the quality of the signals will be left entirely to the users. There will be no service guarantee or liability from the Galileo Operating Company on the Open Service.

For up to date infomrmation, speakers and to register please visit the RIN website.

US and EC reaffirm Galileo GPS commitment

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:01:57 +0000

The US and EC have reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate with regard to GPS and GALILEO interoperability.

Representatives of the United States and the European Community (EC) meeting October 23 in Washington, D.C., reaffirmed their commitment to the 2004 cooperation agreement on Galileo and GPS in the first plenary session convened under the agreement.

Inside GNSS

See press release The U.S. intends to continue to operate GPS

SSTL gets Galileo award

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:53:50 +0100

The Galileo team here at SSTL have been presented with an award by the European Space Agency (ESA) that acknowledges the successful GIOVE A mission and its outstanding contribution to the success of the Galileo programme. The award was presented by Didier Faivre of ESA’s Galileo Directorate to Elizabeth Rooney of SSTL at an event held at the European Space Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, The Netherlands, on 13th October 2008.

GIOVE-A award

SSTL was contracted into ESA’s Galileo programme in 2003, when it began building the first GIOVE test bed satellite as part of the Galileo In Orbit Validation Element (GIOVE) of Galileo. The satellite was rapidly built and launched before the end of 2005. Since then the company has been actively involved with the in-orbit testing of GIOVE-A and, more recently, GIOVE B, launched in April 2008.

Last month, SSTL together with its German partner OHB-System was downselected by ESA and the European Commission (EC) as one of two potential suppliers of satellites to the Galileo operational system to be deployed by 2013.

SSTL’s Commercial Director, John Paffett said:

The GIOVE programme clearly demonstrated the benefits of dual-source supply, SSTL's GIOVE-A was designed, built and tested in a rapid 28 month schedule which allowed Europe to claim the ITU frequency filing. Without GIOVE-A, ESA would have lost the rights to the entire Galileo system. Dual source supply is also important in ensuring that the operational Galileo system is available as soon as possible and at the lowest final cost to the taxpayer. The long term benefit of a competitive supply base for Galileo satellites should not be underestimated.

Paffett also believes that market forces will also give Galileo the required boost to develop satellite navigation equipment:

Galileo has a lot to offer the satellite navigation marketplace, whether it’s landing planes or simply providing reliable navigation in the mountains. The possibilities are endless but it won’t happen until the equipment manufacturers see a working constellation in space. The sooner this happens, the better.

Second Galileo satellite on track

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:00:19 +0000

SSTL’s second Galileo contract, GIOVE-A2, has progressed through a successful Critical Design Review (CDR). The small satellite is a follow-on mission to the successful GIOVE-A mission launched two years ago.

The two-day CDR meeting, attended by ESA representatives at SSTL’s headquarters in Guildford, reviewed the design changes between GIOVE-A and GIOVE-A2. The next stage in the project will progress towards manufacture.

ESA awarded the follow-on contract to SSTL in March 2007. The project covers initial activities leading to the construction of a further spacecraft for the Galileo satellite navigation system, based on SSTL’s proven GIOVE-A technology.