Galileo is the European Union's Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), managed by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) with design and development by the European Space Agency (ESA). It provides highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning services under civilian control with improved positioning and timing information. Galileo offers various services, including an Open Service (OS) for mass-market use, a Search and Rescue (SAR) function, a High Accuracy Service (HAS), and a Public Regulated Service (PRS) for authorized users.
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GEODE will establish the framework for developing the Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) user segment for defense applications.
EGNOS Version 3 (GEO-4) will integrate signals from Galileo, Europe’s satellite navigation system.
OHB System AG, the manufacturer of 38 Galileo satellites to date, did not receive any of the two contracts for 12 second-generation satellites.
The European Commission launched the tender procedure in May 2018 to procure a first batch of 12 second-generation Galileo satellites through a competitive dialogue.
The tender procedure for the 12 second-generation Galileo satellites was run by the European Space Agency by delegation from the European Commission.
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. of the UK built the payloads for the OHB-built Galileo satellites.
OHB System AG built the first in-orbit validation Galileo satellite and subsequently built 38 Galileo satellites, of which 26 are now in orbit.
The first second-generation Galileo satellites are foreseen for launch before the end of 2024 together with updated ground systems to support the new satellites.
The European Commission awarded two contracts for 12 second-generation Galileo satellites to Thales Alenia Space (Italy) and Airbus Defence & Space (Germany) for a total of EUR 1.47 billion.
Performance measurements of the current OHB-built Galileo satellites in orbit have led to an increased predicted lifetime for those satellites.
Galileo has been in operation since 2016 and provides signal services to 2 billion users around the globe.
There are 26 Galileo satellites currently in orbit, with two additional satellites due for launch in 2021-07-01.
The combined value of the contracts for the 12 second-generation Galileo satellites is 1,470,000,000 EUR.
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. delivered the final navigation payloads for the current generation of Galileo satellites in November.
Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space will each build six second-generation Galileo satellites under contracts to be formally signed at the end of January.
The European Space Agency performed a two-month technical and financial evaluation and recommended awarding the next-generation Galileo contracts to Airbus and Thales.
OHB partnered with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. for the current Galileo satellite contract, with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. providing the navigation payload.
The 12 satellites will constitute the start of the second generation of the Galileo system and will feature improved accuracy and resilience.
OHB has an ongoing contract to provide 34 Galileo satellites, of which 22 have been delivered and the remaining 12 are in various stages of production.
The European Commission announced on 2021-01-20 that it will award contracts to Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space to build an initial set of next-generation Galileo navigation satellites.