Article Posted on : - Sep 15, 2014

Galileo Constellation. An ESA photo

CANNES (BNS): Thales Alenia Space has signed a new framework contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) concerning the EGNOS navigation system.

Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor for EGNOS, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System, which is designed to improve the positioning signals delivered by the GPS satellite navigation system.

The contract will enable ESA, delegated by the European Commission, to order work packages from Thales Alenia Space France for the period 2014-2017, to develop new versions of EGNOS V2.

Designed to ensure the continuous improvement of EGNOS performance, these new versions will guarantee optimum service quality for users, while also addressing the need to manage obsolescence, the Company said.

EGNOS was deployed starting in 2005, and has been operational since 2009, for open service.

The system's "Safety of Life" service was officially declared operational in March 2011, and allows it to be used for aircraft landing, enabling precision approaches to European airports without ground guidance aids, it added.