The new Ground Control Segment (GCS) infrastructure used to operate the Galileo satellite constellation has been completely deployed in Oberpfaffenhofen (Germany) and Fucino (Italy) and has been operating since early August. GMV was tasked with the maintenance and upgrading of the Galileo GCS, and led the consortium of European Space companies to complete the technical challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new GCS release includes upgraded system capabilities, enhanced virtualization and obsolescence resolution as well as operational improvements. It represents a major step forward towards the Galileo FOC (Full Operational Capability), boosting the management capacity to 38 satellites.
The new GCS offers new infrastructure and technology and features improved reliability and security. The New Key Service is capable of supporting LEOP campaigns for the new coming Galileo Satellite Launches. Since 2011 all the Galileo LEOP campaigns have relied on external control centers (either ESOC or CNES) in coordination with the GCS, but, from now on, thanks to this new Galileo GCS V3.0, the LEOPs will be run directly from Galileo Ground Control Segment.
The Full Operational Capability (FOC) phase of the Galileo programme is managed and funded by the European Union. The European Commission, ESA and EUSPA (the EU Agency for the Space Programme) have signed an agreement by which ESA acts as design authority and system development prime on behalf of the Commission and EUSPA as the exploitation and operation manager of Galileo/EGNOS.
(Image: ESA)
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