Satellite navigation provides accurate geolocation and navigation information to aircraft, ships, cars, and trains to let them determine where they are and where they need to go. Satellite navigation also has many other applications, from remotely managing a fleet of ships to tracking herds of cattle!
Worldwide, there are four Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS): GPS (operated by the USA), Glonass (operated by Russia), Beidou (operated by China), and Galileo (operated by the European Union). Galileo serves as the world’s best-performing GNSS, with an accuracy around 3x better than GPS!
There are also two Regional Navigation Satellite Systems (RNSS) which are functionally similar to GNSS but only cover a specific region and not the entire globe: Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satelllite System (QZSS) and India’s IRNSS / NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation).
Satellite navigation works by using satellites that broadcast precise time and orbit information; receivers on the ground (such as your smartphone or those found in most modern cars) pick up the signals. By combining measurements from at least four satellites, the receiver can triangulate its exact location, speed, and time, allowing you to navigate from point A to point B!
Using its 30 satellites in space and 21 stations on the ground, Galileo produces free and accurate information for civilian and military government users, businesses, and citizens. Worldwide, there are over 4 billion devices using Galileo… and counting!
The satellites (also known as the ‘space segment’) provide accurate positioning, navigation, and timing signals to all enabled devices.
The stations on the ground (known as the ‘ground segment’) allow the EU to control the satellites, to monitor Galileo’s performance and security, and to check the accuracy and signal quality of each satellite in real time. Together, the space and ground segments ensure that the Galileo system delivers reliable and precise global positioning services.
Galileo Services
Galileo’s Open Service (OS) is a free Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) service for global users. It is embedded in almost all smart devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, wearable health devices, in-vehicle navigation devices, and many more.
The Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) provides free access to an accurate positioning solution using a Precise Point Positioning algorithm in real-time.
The Galileo Search and Rescue Service (SAR) swiftly relays distress signals to search and rescue crews, thereby supporting life-saving missions.
The Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) is a robust, encrypted navigation service for the European Union and partner countries’ government-authorised users.