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 EUSPA headquarters inPrague | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | EUSPA |
| Formed | 12 May 2021; 4 years ago (2021-05-12) |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Type | Space agency EU agency |
| Jurisdiction | European Commission |
| Headquarters | Prague,Czech Republic |
Executive Director | Rodrigo da Costa |
| Owner | European Union |
| Annual budget | EU Space Programme €1.997–2.221bn[1] |
| Website | euspa.europa.eu |
TheEuropean Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is aspace agency, managing theEuropean Union Space Programme as one of theagencies of theEuropean Union (EU). It was initially created as theEuropean Global Navigation Satellite Systems Supervisory Authority (GSA) in 2004, reorganised into theEuropean Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency (also GSA or GNSS Agency) in 2010, and established in its current form onMay 12, 2021. EUSPA is a separate entity from theEuropean Space Agency (ESA), although the two entities work together closely.
EUSPA operates theGalileo andEuropean Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) programmes with the aim of providing a European GNSS alternative to the American, Russian and Chinese systems (e.g.GPS,Glonass andBeiDou). Unlike these other GNSS programmes, Galileo remains under civil control.
The Agency is also charged with advancing the commercialisation and market uptake of EU Space data and services, including from theGalileo,EGNOS, andCopernicus (Earth Observation) programmes. It does this by publishing critical market intelligence, including theEO & GNSS Market Report and theGNSS and Secure SATCOM User Technology Report, and by organising funding opportunities, such as theHorizon Europe andFundamental Elements R&D funding mechanisms, as well as theCASSINI initiative.
EUSPA further engages insecure satellite communications (GOVSATCOM[2] and IRIS[3]), operates the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU SST[4]) Front Desk, and is responsible for the security accreditation of all EU Space Programme components.
Established in 2004 as the European GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA), reorganised in 2010 into the European GNSS Agency (also GSA), and based inPrague,Czech Republic, since 1 September 2012, the agency was initially responsible for managing and monitoring the use of theGalileo programme’s funds and dealing with any matters relating to satellite radio-navigation.
In June 2018, theEuropean Commission proposed to transform the European GNSS Agency into the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), aggregating and consolidating the agency's roles forGalileo andEGNOS; Copernicus, Europe’s Earth Observation programme; and a newGovernmental Satellite Communication (GOVSATCOM) initiative.
In December 2020, theEuropean Commission welcomed the political agreement between theEuropean Parliament and theCouncil of the European Union on the EU Space Programme. On 28 April 2021, theEuropean Parliament approved the update of the EU Space Programme[5] regulation, paving the way to the creation of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA).
The regulation creates the European Union Agency for the Space Programme, defines its competences and functioning, as well as a budget of 14.872 million euros within the 2021–2027 multiannual financial framework, the highest amount ever committed by Brussels for space programmes. It entered into force on 12 May 2021.[6]
EUSPA has been responsible for the EU Space Programme’s SST Front Desk operations since 1 July 2023.[7]
The initial aim of theEuropean Union (EU) was to integrate theEuropean Space Agency (ESA) as anagency of the EU by 2014. While the EU and its member states fund together 86% of ESA’s budget, it is not anEU agency.
ESA is partnered with the EU on its two current flagship space programmes, theCopernicus Earth Observation system and theGalileo satellite navigation system, with ESA providing technical oversight and, in the case of Copernicus, some of the funding. The EU has, however, shown an interest in expanding into new areas, hence the decision to rename and expand theEuropean GNSS Agency into the EU Agency for the Space Programme. The proposal drew strong criticism from ESA and many ESA and EU member states, as it was perceived as encroaching on ESA's turf.[8]
In January 2021, after years of acrimonious relations, EU and ESA officials mended their relationship, with the EU Internal Market CommissionerThierry Breton saying at the time: "The European space policy will continue to rely on ESA and its unique technical, engineering and science expertise” and that ESA will continue to be the European agency for space matters. “If we are to be successful in our European strategy for space, and we will be, I will need ESA by my side,” added Commissioner Breton. ESA directorJosef Aschbacher reciprocated, saying, "I would really like to make ESA the main agency, the go-to agency of the European Commission for all its flagship programmes."
ESA and EUSPA are now seen to have distinct roles and competencies, which is officialised in the Financial Framework Partnership Agreement (FFPA). Whereas ESA's focus is on the design and development of technical elements of the EU space programmes, EUSPA handles the operational elements of those programmes.[9]
The European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) is an integral part of the European GNSS infrastructure, which represents the interface between theGalileo system and the users of the Galileo services. The GNSS Service Centre is located in Madrid, in the facilities of theSpanish National Aerospace Institute (INTA),in Torrejón de Ardoz[10].
The GSC acts as an interface between the Galileo system andOpen Service (OS) users, as well as between the commercial service providers and / or users. It also provides users withHigh Accuracy Service (HAS) performance assessment and notifications, as well as access to certified public keys for users of theOpen Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA).
The GSC sets up a competence centre for OS,OSNMA and HAS service aspects, which are accessible to users via the user help desk and the web portal. The information is provided by a communication platform, an electronic library with Galileo and GNSS reference documentation, as well as by the ad hoc provision of specific Galileo information.
The European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) was inaugurated in May 2013 by then vice-president of the European CommissionAntonio Tajani,Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, and theSpanish Minister of DevelopmentAna Pastor. The Centre itself was namedLoyola de Palacio in tribute to the former European Commission Vice President, then Commissioner for Transport[11].
On 17 March 2011, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Commissioner Tajani and the Spanish Minister of TransportJosé Blanco López. This MoU outlined the conditions and requirements for hosting the GSC in Spain and for conducting a Spanish study to prepare the centre. The GSC deployment agreement was published in theOfficial Journal of the European Union on 23 February 2012, which stated that the global network of ground stations as part of the Galileo programme includedsix centres and one station, of which theGSC is one (MCC, GSMC, GSC, GRC).
The GSC provides the following services:
Although its Headquarters are in Prague, Czech Republic, EUSPA is amulti-site agency, with different sites located across several EU countries. This set-up ensures the effective management and coordination of the EU Space components and projects under the Agency’s responsibility.
The European GNSS Service Centre
Located in Madrid, Spain, the GSC is an integral part of the European GNSS infrastructure and provides the single interface between the Galileo system and the users of the Galileo Open Service (OS), Open Service Navigation Message Authentication Service (OSNMA) and the High Accuracy Service (HAS).
Galileo Security Monitoring Centre
The Galileo Security Monitoring Centre (GSMC) monitors and, when necessary, takes action regarding security threats, security alerts and the operational status of Galileo’s various components. It does this from both its main facility in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, and from its backup facility in Saint Martin de la Vega, Spain.
The Saint Martin de la Vega site also host the EU SST (Space Surveillance and Tracking) Front Desk.
Located in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, the Galileo Reference Centre (GRC) monitors the performance of the Galileo signals.
With locations in both Fucino, Italy and Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, the Galileo Control Centres (GCC) calculate the orbit of Galileo satellites with an accuracy of 10 cm. They generate and transmit the navigation signal that is used in, for example, smartphones and vehicles, and ensure its quality and accuracy.
Galileo Integrated Logistic Support Centre
Based at the GALAXIA European Space Applications Park in Transinne, Belgium, the Galileo Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) Centre supports an efficient spare part and repair provisioning service for the Galileo ground infrastructure.
These Centres are complemented by a range of instruments, including Galileo Sensor Stations (GSS). GSS can be found in some of the world’s most remote locations, including the Kerguelen Islands, Wallis and Futuna and Bonnaire. They are all on European Union territory, even if located in the sub-Antarctic or the South Pacific.
EUSPA also has a Search & Rescue (SAR)/Galileo Service Centre (SGSC) and EGNOS Centre in Toulouse, France, as well as a Joint Office in Brussels, Belgium.
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