The EGNOS system enhances positioning accuracy, reliability and integrity by optimising the performance of Global Navigation Satellite Systems, including GPS and, in the future, Galileo.
Thales Alenia Space has signed a new contract worth $55.08m with the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) to extend the operational life of the European Satellite-Based Augmentation System (EGNOS). Named LIFEX 1 (Life Extension Phase 1), this contract will ensure that EGNOS V2 continues to provide reliable, secure and high-performance navigation services for Europes aviation, maritime, land transport, mapping and agricultural sectors beyond 2028.
EGNOS system enhances the accuracy, reliability and integrity of positioning signals by improving the performance of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as GPS and, in the future, Galileo. As part of this contract, Thales Alenia Space will address EGNOS V2 critical system upgrades and infrastructure improvements, reinforcing the systems resilience and operational durability. These updates will focus on enhancing security measures, modernising components and ensuring the ongoing reliability of EGNOSs Safety of Life service, which plays a key role in aviation, enabling accurate approaches at European airports without requiring ground guidance systems. Operational since 2011, this service has significantly improved operational safety and efficiency for the greater benefit of European operators.
Rodrigo da Costa, Executive Director of EUSPA, said: “EGNOS is a key asset for Europe, ensuring safer and more efficient transport across multiple sectors. This contract will secure the extension of the system in operations, making the service more robust to support a growing number of users and strengthening the European Unions satellite navigation capabilities.”
David Philipona, Vice-President Navigation for Thales Alenia Space in France, added: “We are very proud to support our client EUSPA in extending the lifetime of an operational system that plays a key role in European navigation every day. With this latest contract, Thales Alenia Space demonstrates its European and export leadership in satellite navigation and contributes to the success of the EGNOS system in Europe. This is in line with Thales Alenia Space’s commitment to provide reliable and innovative navigation solutions to ensure safer and more efficient transport across the continent and across the world.”
