The EGNOS system. Photo: ESA

Thales Alenia Space has won an new contract related to Europe’s EGNOS satellite navigation system. The company announced Aug. 25 that it had signed its first contract with the EU Agency for Space Programme (EUSPA), to provide new capabilities to EGNOS. The company will now start development of a new EGNOS version introducing a new generation uplink station (Navigation Land Earth Station, NLES) allowing the introduction of new Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites in the system for improved redundancy.

EGNOS is the European satellite navigation system, designed to improve positioning messages from GPS. It was first deployed in 2005, with its open service operational since 2009. The current EGNOS system was developed by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor and is managed by EUSPA since 2014.

“Today’s contract signature bolsters Thales Alenia Space leadership position in SBAS [Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems] and satellite navigation. Supported by a strong R&D activity, we are currently developing and testing with success SBAS next generation architectures and capabilities. The strong dynamic we experience on our SBAS export markets in Asia, Africa & Indian Ocean demonstrate our solution global attractiveness for our customers,” Benoit Broudy, Navigation vice president for Thales Alenia Space said in a statement.