The European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) is preparing to be the essential interface between global users and Galileo’s Full Operational Capability (FOC). A recent kick-off meeting in Madrid initiated a range of projects that will create the necessary facilities and operations for providing this vital interface.
A meeting at the offices of Spain’s National Institute for Aerospace Technology 
(INTA) in Madrid on 16 September saw the latest step towards full implementation of the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC). The meeting discussed the GSC v1 operations and hosting service provision that will define and deliver full operational services for Galileo by GSC.
The meeting was attended by representatives the European Commission, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and members of the consortium tasked to run GSC: INTA, the global transport consultancy Ineco, Spanish defence engineering systems company ISDEFE and ESSP (the European Satellite Services Provider).
The initial contracts for provision of GSC operations and services were awarded on 16 July, with the contracts signed on 1 September. The contracts cover the definition, design and development of GSC v1 operations and hosting services, including the provision of support for logical and physical security, the accreditation of the Centre, and ensuring the quality of the infrastructure.
As part of the full functionality, the so-called GSC v1is being developed to also support the dissemination of commercial data via a real-time interface. This is in line with the GSC’s objective to evolve over time to become fully-functional in support of Galileo Full Operational Capability (FOC) services.
Galileo critical applications
The GSC is an essential part of the GSA’s strategy for the development of GNSS applications, supporting innovation within industry and SMEs across Europe. “The GSC is yet another step in our dedication to support entrepreneurs, companies and researchers to develop their activities thanks to European Satellite Navigation data,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides.
Galileo is the European satellite navigation system under civilian control that guarantees access to all for very precise positioning and timing data. Galileo is fully compatible with other currently deployed GNSS, including the US GPS and Russian GLONASS systems.
Due to the use of two frequencies, Galileo will be capable of providing any user with metre positioning accuracy in real time. It will also ensure service availability even under the most severe circumstances.
In the context of the Galileo ground segment, the GSC is the single interface for the user communities of Galileo Open and Commercial Services and in the future case of the development of the Safety of Life (SoL) service at both the European and international level.
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GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides
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