Article Posted on : - Apr 25, 2011

The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). Photo: ESA.

CANNES (BNS): Thales Alenia Space announced today that it has signed a 54.5 million euro contract with the European Space Agency (ESA), acting on behalf of the European Commission, to supply a new version of EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System), incorporating improvements that are indispensable for enhanced operability.

EGNOS is a European system that is designed to improve the positioning information provided by GPS (Global Positioning System).

It comprises a network of 38 reference stations, a data processing center, six uplink stations to send data to three geostationary satellites, and a control-command station.

The 28-month contract will upgrade critical subsystems that had become obsolete, and provide significant improvements in the operation and extension of the system, according to a Thales Group news release.

EGNOS has been deployed since 2005 and has been operational in “open service” configuration since 2009. Its “Safety of Life” service was formally declared available in March 2011, enabling it to be used during the landing phase for civil aircraft, so that they can carry out precision approaches at European airports without ground guiding equipment.