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Paris, 26 May 2003
Press Release
Nx 34-2003

First EGNOS signal in space  

After several years of initial definition, detailed design,
production and deployment activities, the EGNOS (European
Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service) system started its first
signal transmission tests in April. This system is Europe's first
venture into satellite navigation and  by early next year will
deliver the first European Satellite Navigation service. It will
augment the two military satellite navigation systems now operating,
the US GPS and Russian GLONASS, making them suitable for many mass
market applications such as car navigation, bus and truck fleet
management, but also for specific applications such as assisting
blind people when walking in an unknown area. In addition, after a
certification process, EGNOS will be used for safety-critical
applications such as flying aircraft or navigating ships through
narrow channels.

When completed, EGNOS will consist of three geostationary satellites
and a network of ground stations that will transmit signals
containing information on the reliability and accuracy of the
positioning signals sent out by GPS and GLONASS. It will enable users
in Europe and beyond to determine their position within 2m compared
with about 20m with GPS. Since 2000 a prototype of the system (the
EGNOS System Test Bed, ESTB) has been providing test signals, fully
demonstrating its worth and validity.

By spring 2004 the full network needed for this augmentation system
will have been deployed all around Europe and beyond. It will
comprise monitoring stations, called RIMSs (Ranging and Integrity
Monitoring Stations), and several Master Control Centres, the first
of which is already installed in Langen, Germany.

Altogether, nearly 40 stations will be deployed.

This installation phase includes the testing of all equipment.  This
necessitates the availability of a signal in space and that is why
the first signal is so important.

EGNOS is a joint project of the European Space Agency, the European
Commission and Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety
of Air Navigation. It is Europe's contribution to the first stage of
the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and is a precursor to
Galileo, the full global satellite navigation system under
development in Europe. Event in Langen, Germany:

This  "first signal in space" of the satellite system will be relayed
from the first EGNOS master control centre in Europe, located in the
DFS air traffic control centre in Langen, near Frankfurt (Germany).

The European Space Agency and DFS are pleased to invite you to this
event, which takes place on 6 June at 10:30 hrs at the headquarters
of DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH - Am DFS-Campus 10 - 63225 Langen
(Germany).

Dieter Kaden, DFS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Claudio
Mastracci, ESA Director of Application Programmes, will be there to
describe the various functionalities of the system.

We would appreciate it if you would reply by fax as soon as possible
to DFS using the attached form or contact us by telephone on +49 6103
707-4111 or by e-mail to claudia.sielaff{at}dfs.de

For more Information on EGNOS:
ESA Media Office
ESA Applications Directorate: 
Dominique Detain
Tel: + 33(0)1.5369.7726
dominique.detain{at}esa.int
www.esa/int/navigation/ 
_____________________________________________________________________

First EGNOS signal in space
Friday 6 June 2003 - 10h30
DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH Headquarters
Am DFS-Campus 10 - 63225-Langen (Germany)

Surname: ______________________ First name: _________________________

Media : _____________________________________________________________

Address : ___________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Tel: _________________________ Fax : ________________________________

Mobile : _____________________  E-mail : ____________________________

Please return by fax to :
Claudia Sielaff
DFS
Tel:  +49 6103.707.4111
Fax: +49 6103 707-4196
e-mail: claudia.sielaff{at}dfs.de

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