Satellite Navigation: European GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA) and the European Space Agency sign cooperation agreement

18 May 2007

Brussels, 18 May 2007


The European GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA) and the European Space Agency signed an agreement on 16 May that opens up cooperation related to the EGNOS and Galileo programmes. The framework agreement signed by Pedro Pedreira, Executive Director of the GSA and Giuseppe Viriglio, ESA Director of Telecommunication and Navigation Programmes, is meant to ensure the continuity of the cooperation between ESA and the European Community regarding the implementation of the European global navigation satellite systems.


"As we approach the end of research and development efforts on EGNOS and the start of full operations, this agreement provides us with a solid foundation for the type of complementary activity and teamwork needed to transform state-of-the-art technology into a full-fledged working system," said Pedro Pedreira, Executive Director of the GSA, "EGNOS will be the first concrete example of how European satellite navigation and positioning systems benefit our society and we are fully dedicated to making it successful."

The agreement is based on the complementary role of both organisations, in line with the principles of the European Space Policy. Specifically, the agreement facilitates better cooperation and exchange between the two agencies for the Galileo IOV (In Orbit Validation) phase, the EGNOS integration into Galileo, Galileo and EGNOS certification and security activities, and paves the way for the implementation of the transfer of the ownership of satellites and other EGNOS and Galileo IOV assets from ESA to the GSA. The agreement also opens up opportunities for cooperation on other important programme aspects such as research and development and international cooperation.

Previous cooperation between the European Community and ESA was made through the Galileo Joint Undertaking (GJU), a temporary organisation set up in May 2002 by the European Commission and ESA to manage the development phase of the Galileo Programme. The GJU was wound up in December 2006 with the GSA taking over activities in January 2007.