Launch of EGNOS improves accuracy of Global Positioning System

The European Commission announced on 1st October 2009 that EGNOS, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, is now operative.

EGNOS is a satellite-based augmentation system that improves the accuracy of satellite navigation signals over Europe, similar to the WAAS system in the US. The accuracy of current GPS signals is improved from about ten metres to two metres.

Access to the EGNOS system is free of charge for businesses and citizens, and should theoretically be performed automatically by compatible GPS receivers.

The Commission foresees numerous different applications for the enhanced signal, including in the area of aviation.

Through EGNOS a Safety-of-Life service is expected to be in place by mid 2010. This service will provide a warning message informing the user within six seconds in case of a malfunction of the system.

EGNOS is Europe's first contribution to satellite navigation and a precursor of Galileo, the global satellite navigation system that the European Union is developing. The system is composed of transponders aboard three geostationary satellites and a ground network of about 40 positioning stations and four control centres, all interconnected. The EGNOS coverage area includes most European states and has the built-in capability to be extended to other regions, such as North Africa and EU neighbouring countries.

The operations of EGNOS are managed through a contract with the European Commission, by the European Satellite Services Provider, ESSP SaS, a company based in Toulouse, France. More details are available from the “EGNOS service definition document ”.