European GNSS

The European GNSS project is a joint initiative of the European Union and the European Space Agency ESA aimed at developing an independent European satellite navigation system. At the same time, this global system will be compatible with the American GPS system.

Funded by the EU, the project covers all aspects of the overall system architecture. The work packages for the overall system are being awarded in six segments. The EU is the customer and ESA the procurement agency. 

OHB-System has been awarded as the prime contractor for the first 14 satellites for the European GNSS system. UK based company Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) is the partner in this OHB-led syndicate and responsible for the payload.

OHB-System has over 25 years of experience in developing, building, integrating and operating satellites and satellite constellations. In particular, it has gained expertise of relevance from the SAR-Lupe project.  Comprising 5 radar satellites, this constellation was implemented for the German Federal Armed Forces despite extremely strict budget and schedule requirements. The contract covered the development, fabrication, integration and launch of the constellation as well as its operation over a period of ten years. OHB has also previously worked for ESA, e.g. in connection with the SGEO project as part of ESA's ARTES-11 program.

SSTL has extensive experience when it comes to innovative and inexpensive small satellites. Recently, it fabricated and successfully launched the RapidEye constellation comprising 5 satellites for a German customer. SSTL has also been involved in European GNSS for several years via the successful implementation of Giove-A. ESA declared this project a "full mission success" in 2008.

Status:

In January 2010, OHB-System has been selected as Prime Contractor for the first 14 satellites of the GNSS system with a total volume of 566 million Euros. OHB will develop and integrate the satellite platform. Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. of Great Britain will develop and integrate the payload. All satellites will be finally integrated at OHB in Bremen. The first launch of two navigation satellites is scheduled for end 2012.