GPS World

Tag: GOVSATCOM

  • GMV to oversee GOVSATCOM hub for EU satellite communications initiative

    GMV to oversee GOVSATCOM hub for EU satellite communications initiative

    Photo: GMV
    Photo: GMV

    The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) has awarded a contract to a consortium led by GMV to design, develop and deploy the communications hub for the Governmental Satellite Communications (GOVSATCOM) programme. This contract, valued at up to €107 million ($119 million), is a critical component of the European Union (EU) satellite communications initiative.

    GOVSATCOM is one of the five main components of the EU Space Programme, alongside Copernicus, Galileo, EGNOS and Space Situational Awareness. Its primary objective is to provide secure and cost-efficient satellite communication services to authorized governmental users in EU Member States.

    The program aims to support various scenarios, including crisis management, border and maritime surveillance, critical infrastructure management and security operations in polar regions.

    The communications hub is a critical element of the GOVSATCOM architecture. Its main functions include:

    • Ensuring optimal delivery of satellite communication services
    • Meeting the demand for operational services from EU Member State users
    • Planning for predefined medium-term communication needs
    • Handling dynamic and urgent requests from unforeseen scenarios
    • Operating under strict security and resilience requirements

    The hub will manage satellite communication resources from EU Member States and services provided by the EU’s future multi-orbital secure communications constellation, IRIS2.

    The consortium led by GMV includes Indra and Hisdesat. The contract was awarded following a competitive bidding process involving pre-selection consortia and execution of parallel contracts for preliminary design and capability demonstrations.

  • EUSPA’s 2nd Horizon Call seeks projects for GNSS, Earth observation

    EUSPA’s 2nd Horizon Call seeks projects for GNSS, Earth observation

    EUSPA logoEurope’s 2nd Horizon Europe call has been launched for European GNSS, Galileo and Earth observation projects, offering total funding of €48.1 million.

    The Horizon program is managed by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). It funds research and innovation by small and mid-size enterprises, academia, public actors and others that will stimulate development of space applications and solutions using EUSPA data and services.

    The 2nd call aims to to strengthen downstream capabilities and modernize the EU public sector by offering cutting-edge solutions based on Galileo, Copernicus, EGNOS and GOVSATCOM.

    Funding is being offered for projects that make use of Galileo and EGNOS in smart mobility applications. Other projects fuse Copernicus data with artificial intelligence to boost the European economy and help modernize the public sector. For the first time, the call seeks to deliver satellite communication use cases based on the forthcoming GOVSATCOM system.

    Below is a breakdown of the funds’ distribution per thematic area.

    Visit the EU’s funding & tender opportunities portal for detailed information about the EUSPA call and the topics available. The deadline for applications is March 2, 2023.