The European GNSS Agency: Linking space to user needs
Space is the new technological revolution and it is changing the way we live, work and play. GSA’s core mission is to ensure that European Citizens get the most out of Europe’s satellite navigation programmes
Content
The Regulatory Framework of the GSA
GSA Mission Statement
The GSA’s mission is to support European Union objectives and achieve the highest return on European GNSS investment, in terms of benefits to users and economic growth and competitiveness, by:
- Designing and enabling services that fully respond to user needs, while continuously improving the European GNSS services and Infrastructure;
- Managing the provision of quality services that ensure user satisfaction in the most cost-efficient manner;
- Engaging market stakeholders to develop innovative and effective applications, value-added services and user technology that promote the achievement of full European GNSS adoption;
- Ensuring that European GNSS services and operations are thoroughly secure, safe and accessible.
Vision
Satellite navigation has made major inroads in many realms of society, impacting in increasingly profound ways on business, public services and consumer behavior. Along with delivering economic benefits to innovative service providers and related businesses, satellite navigation devices, now integrated within a wide variety of vehicles and transport systems, have changed how we manage the mobility, safety and security of people and goods in fundamental ways.
For users in the general public, the next logical development will be the integration of accurate positioning devices into every mobile telephone or similar handheld device, making possible a deep transformation of the way society deals with the dimensions of time and space.
By developing a new generation of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Europe is laying the foundations for new high-technology industry development, job creation and economic growth. With Europe in the driving seat, independent and self-sustaining, GALILEO has the potential to become a key part of the global navigation positioning system of the future.
Values
Our values serve as a compass for our actions and how we behave in the world.
Quality: what we do, we do well.
Integrity: honesty and transparency in all activities.
Service: commitment to customer needs.
Excellence: focus on competence and continual improvement.
Teamwork: we work as one to get things done.
Respect: for people and the environment.
Gender Equality: equal opportunities for all.
History
The European GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA) was initially established as a Community Agency on 12 July 2004, by Council Regulation (EC) 1321/2004, status amended in 2006 by Council Regulation (EC) No 1942/2006.
The European Council took this important step because of what it saw as the strategic nature of European satellite positioning and navigation programmes, which include both EGNOS and GALILEO, and the need to ensure that essential public interests in this field are adequately defended and represented.
With Regulation (EU) No. 912/2010, which entered into force on 9 November 2010, and subsequently amended by Regulation (EU) No. 512/2014 of 16 April 2014, the GSA was restructured into an agency of the European Union called the European GNSS Agency, ensuring the continuity of its activities.
The GSA's predecessor, the GALILEO Joint Undertaking (GJU) was set up in May 2002 by the European Community and the European Space Agency to manage the development phase of the GALILEO Programme. The GSA officially took over all tasks previously assigned to the GJU on 1 January 2007 which are continued by the GSA as “European GNSS Agency” within the scope of Regulation (EU) No. 912/2010, as amended.
The Regulatory Framework of the GSA
The main legal framework currently applicable for the Agency is composed of:
- Regulation (EU) No. 912/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 setting up the European GNSS Agency, repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1321/2004 on the establishment of structures for the management of the European satellite radio navigation programmes and amending Regulation (EC) No 683/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council 1;
- Regulation (EU) No. 512/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 amending Regulation (EU) No 912/2010 setting up the European GNSS Agency 2;
- Regulation (EU) No. 1285/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the implementation and exploitation of European satellite navigation systems and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 876/2002 and Regulation (EC) No 683/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council 3;
- Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 4;
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 of 29 October 2012 on the rules of application of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union 5;
- Decision of the Administrative Board of 25 April 2014 adopting the GSA Financial Regulation 2014 6;
- Decision of the Administrative Board of 25 April 2014 adopting the GSA Financial Regulation Implementing Rules 2014 7;
- Decision No 1104/2011/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the rules for access to the public regulated service provided by the global navigation satellite system established under the Galileo programme 8;
- Council Joint Action 2004/552/CFSP of 12 July 2004 on aspects of the operation of the European satellite radio-navigation system affecting the security of the European Union 9.