The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) has been delegated responsibility for the Galileo service operations and initial services by the European Commission. In Europe, the EUSPA serves as the essential link between space technology and user needs, translating Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus and GOVSATCOM services and data into valuable, reliable solutions for European citizens.
Within this role, the EUSPA is tasked with ensuring that the end user remains at the centre of European Space Programme. To accomplish this, the EUSPA is in constant dialogue with user communities, industry and stakeholders. For instance, the EUSPA is closely working with chipset and receiver manufacturers to ensure all products are Galileo-capable. In addition to receiver manufacturers, the Agency is also working with the major user communities, such as maritime and rail stakeholders, so they can update their systems and be ready to use Galileo.
EUSPA awarded a contract to the European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP) in 2022, to act as the single EGNOS Service Provider (under contract GSA/CD/09/19) from 2023 until the end of 2032, with a clear mandate to help foster the use of satellite navigation in Europe.
The EUSPA’s mission is to support European Union objectives and achieve the highest return on European Satellite Programme 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 full European GNSS adoption;
- Ensuring that European GNSS services and operations are thoroughly secure, safe and accessible.
In so doing, the EUSPA aims to ensure that end users – European citizens – have the devices and applications they need to get the most out of Europe’s satellite navigation programmes. As Europe’s link between space technology and user needs, and in-line with Europe’s Space Policy, the Agency is committed to keeping the end-user at the centre of Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus and GOVSATCOM.
For more information, visit the EUSPA website.