Hellenic Aviation Service Provider to host EGNOS V3 ground station in Athens, Greece
EGNOS, Europe’s regional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS), is undergoing a transformation.
Used to improve the accuracy and reliability of GNSS positioning information, EGNOS is designed to provide safety of life navigation services to aviation, maritime and land-based users across the EU. Part of the transition from the current version to Version 3 involves updating the EGNOS ground segment, an infrastructure that includes, amongst other components, 44 Ranging Integrity Monitoring Stations (RIMS).
“EGNOS counts on a long history of providing safety of life navigation services to aviation, maritime and land-based users over Europe. Together with our partners at the European Space Agency and industry, we are working on the next generation of EGNOS, called Version 3, that will also augment Galileo signals,” said EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa.
The main function of the RIMS is to collect measurements from GPS satellites and transmit this raw data to the Mission Control Centres every second. The upgrade will ensure that these RIMS can also collect and transmit measurements from Galileo satellites.
‘’Greece is making concrete steps toward developing its space policy. The joint statement between EUSPA and HCAA for the hosting of the new EGNOS RIMS in Athens shows our country's commitment to digital transformation and its contribution to the EU Space Programme,’’ says Athanasios Staveris-Polykalas, Secretary General of Telecommunications & Posts.
The Hellenic Aviation Service Provider (HASP) has hosted an EGNOS RIMS in Athens, Greece since 2010. EUSPA, who is responsible for the exploitation of EGNOS, and HASP renewed their cooperation for a future generation of the RIMS ground infrastructure.
“HASP (former HCAA) is a major contributor to the successful services and performance achieved by the current EGNOS system, which has been delivering safety of life services for aviation since 2011, and will continue to provide high level services to the new EGNOS systems”, said HASP Governor Georgios Dritsakos.
Building on this successful experience, HASP was selected to host a new, EGNOS Version 3 ground station in Athens. “HASP is an important part of why EGNOS is the success it is today, and I am happy that they will be a part of this exciting new chapter,” added da Costa.
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