MUMBAI: Satellite operator Eutelsat has announced that it has been selected by the Galileo Joint Undertaking to lead an international consortium in a project to develop new ideas and activities to evolve and consolidate the Galileo global navigation satellite system.

The project Galileo Advanced Concepts, was awarded under the European Union Sixth Framework Programme, Galileo Second Call. The consortium led by Eutelsat assembles expertise from companies in Europe and
Canada as well as research institutes, including:
Alcatel Espacio (Spain), EADS Astrium (Germany) and FDC (France)

The study will be split into three key areas: signals, short-term mission evolutions and long-term mission evolutions. The signals work will concentrate on consolidation of the Galileo signal structure, spreading codes and navigation data message. Short term mission evolutions will study optimising resources for the search and rescue mission and the potential for implementing additional messaging missions.

The long term mission evolutions work will address satellite and receiver advancements and longer-term possibilities such as environmental monitoring and global warning. Eutelsat CEO Giuliano Berretta said, “This contract from the Galileo Joint Undertaking demonstrates the commitment of the participating companies and universities to harness their expertise in order to maximise
the potential of Galileo for bringing important benefits to individuals, companies and administrations on roads, railways, in the skies or at sea.

"This study recognises the necessity to map out a long term vision for the European approach towards the Global Navigation Satellite Systems developments and implementation. We are all fully committed to contributing to building these next steps.”