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Tag: SES-5

  • SES extends EGNOS GEO-1 satellite service to power precise navigation across Europe

    SES extends EGNOS GEO-1 satellite service to power precise navigation across Europe

    The agreement ensures Europe’s satellite-based augmentation continues enhancing navigation for aviation and other critical users and lowering emissions.

    SES, a space solutions company, and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) have announced an extension of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) GEO-1 satellite service agreement through 2030, with an option to extend until 2032, helping maintain high-precision navigation services for aviation and other critical users across Europe.

    By improving the accuracy and integrity of satellite positioning signals, EGNOS supports aircraft in landing in low-visibility conditions, as well as planning more efficient routes, reducing fuel burn and CO₂ emissions.

    At the core of the EGNOS service is Europe’s regional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) that improves the accuracy and reliability of GNSS signals, such as GPS. Beyond aviation, EGNOS supports maritime navigation and precision-driven agriculture, contributing to efficient operations and sustainability by reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

    Under the extended GEO-1 contract, SES will continue operating an EGNOS-hosted payload on its SES-5 satellite, as well as the ground segment from its facilities in Europe.

    “This extension ensures a robust EGNOS space segment, ready for the transition towards its next version and the development of new services, while safeguarding high-precision navigation for aviation and other critical users across Europe,” said Rodrigo da Costa, EUSPA executive director.

    “EGNOS is a cornerstone of Europe’s aviation and broader navigation applications. The agreement underscores SES’ and EUSPA’s joint commitment to advancing satellite-based services that enable secure, reliable, and sustainable navigation solutions,” said Philippe Glaesener, senior vice president, Global Government at SES. “Thanks to the service, millions of users and operators will benefit from efficient and more reliable air transportation services across all of Europe. This commitment reflects our broader mission of delivering resilient satellite solutions for critical infrastructures.”

  • Update on EGNOS and GAGAN SBAS Satellites

    Source: GPS
    The shipping container that protected GSAT-10 during its travels from India to French Guiana is removed inside the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility, revealing the spacecraft.

     

    News courtesy of CANSPACE Listserv.

    UPDATE: According to an Arianespace press release issued Thursday, the launch of the GSAT-10 and Astra 2F satellites is now scheduled for September 21.
    SES-5. The SES-5 geostationary communications satellite (also known as Sirius 5 and Astra 4B), which was launched on July 9, 2012, arrived at its orbital slot of 5 degrees east longitude on or about July 19. The current position is actually about 5.2 degrees.

    The satellite carries L1 and L5 transponders for the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) satellite-based augmentation system. According to a spokesperson from the Space and Missile Systems Center, the Global Positioning Systems Directorate has assigned C/A PRN code 136 and L5 PRN code 136 for use by the satellite.

    GSAT-10. The Indian Space Research Organisation’s GSAT-10 geostationary communications satellite has arrived at the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The satellite carries a transponder for the GPS and GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) satellite-based augmentation system.

    GSAT-10 will be launched together with the Astro 2F satellite by an Ariane 5 rocket on September 21. GSAT-10 is expected to be positioned at 83 degrees east longitude and use PRN code 128. It will join the first GAGAN-equipped satellite, GSAT-8, which is at 55 degrees east longitude and is transmitting test signals on the L1 frequency using C/A PRN code 127.

    Although GSAT-8 reportedly carries a dual-frequency transponder, no L5 signals from this satellite have yet been detected by International GNSS Service tracking stations.

  • UPDATE: EGNOS Satellite Launch Set for August 6

     

    News courtesy of CANSPACE Listserv.

    UPDATE: The Interfax news agency has announced that the rescheduled launch date for SES-5 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, originally scheduled for June 18, is August 6, 2012.

    The launch is being delayed due to a problem with a first stage subsystem on the Proton launch vehicle. The rocket has been rolled back to the assembly building for further tests.

    SES-5 is also known as Sirius 5 stemming from the development of the Sirius satellite constellation by Nordic Satellite AB, now owned by Luxembourg’s SES.

    The satellite carries a transponder for the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). The transponder is intended to eventually replace or one of those on the currently used EGNOS satellites (Inmarsat 3-F2 at 15.5 degrees west using PRN 120, Artemis at 21.5 degrees east using PRN124, and Inmarsat-4-F2 at 25 degrees east using PRN 126 and designated for industry tests).

    Unlike the present L1-only EGNOS satellites, SES-5 will have transponders on both the L1 and E5 frequencies similar to the setup on the Wide Area Augmentation System satellites, which broadcast on L1 and L5.

    SES-5 is to be stationed at 5 degrees east longtiude.

    A second SES satellite with EGNOS transponders is under construction. The SES Astra 5B satellite is scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2013 and will be positioned at SES Astra’s 31.5 degrees east orbital position.

    Role Switch. On March 22 and 23, Inmarsat-4-F2 at 25 degrees east using PRN126 and Artemis at 21.5 degrees east using PRN124 switched roles. PRN126 became an EGNOS operational signal-in-space satellite while PRN124 became the test satellite, transmitting message type 0. PRN120 and PRN126 returned to service around 17:00 UTC on Tuesday, June 26.

    According to an EGNOS service announcement dated April 3, the switch was due to the aging state of the Artemis satellite.