European Commission Actions to Consolidate the European Contribution to a GNSS

John Beale

Abstract:	The main European institutions, Council, Parliament and the European Commission have all recognised the importance of satellite navigation systems for safer transport and also in the economic and commercial development of Europe. As a result they support the deployment of a European contribution to a global system and also industrial initiatives to provide the services and supplies which will form the basis of the associated markets. The European Commission (EC), the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) and the European Space Agency (ESA) are coordinating their efforts to provide a European enhancement to GPS and possibly GLONASS, called EGNOS which will support safety critical applications. An Initial Operational Capability will be provided in 1999 and a Full Operational Capability in 2002. ESA is implementing the ground segment of EGNOS, EUROCONTROL is developing certification requirements and the validation plan for EGNOS, and the EC is leasing part of the space segment, two INMARSAT transponders over the Eastern Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and providing support to industry for research and development into the development of user terminals. In parallel with the technical developments, organisational, institutional and legal issues need to be addressed. Structures must be in place to the satisfaction of the Member States by 2002. Co- ordination of activities with neighbouring countries is important for the provision of services in the Mediterranean region and Eastern Europe. Co- ordination of activities with other regions of the world, including the USA, Russia and Japan, is important if a truly seamless Global Navigation Satellite Service is to be made available to users.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 9th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1996) September 17 - 20, 1996 Kansas City, MO
Pages:	1467 - 1471
Cite this article:	Beale, John, "European Commission Actions to Consolidate the European Contribution to a GNSS," Proceedings of the 9th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1996), Kansas City, MO, September 1996, pp. 1467-1471.
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