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During a Wednesday morning presentation, Katerina Strelocova of EUSPA outlined how three of the agency’s programmes operate:
• EGNOS, which is underway in more than 400 airports, makes navigation signals more accurate and reliable and helps to optimise capacity use and reduce emissions. Strelocova said by enabling vertical and horizontal approaches up to 200 feet, it creates fuel savings by minimising diversion distance and reducing departure weight. It can also reduce urban noise footprints and may offer shorter trajectories due to more flexible designs.
• The Galileo global satellite navigation and positioning system (GNSS) meets greener mobility schemes by providing more accurate and available navigation for autonomous vehicles in the urban environment. Ten percent of the EU gross domestic product is enabled by satellite navigation, Strelocova said. During Drone Demo Day at Cuatro Vientos Aerodrome later today, EUSPA will demonstrate four Galileo drone teams.
• Copernicus offers earth observation and monitoring based on both satellite and non-satellite data. It’s the number one world provider of space data and information, Strelocova said. Copernicus helps ensure safe operations based on ash and dust particles monitoring and carbon-dioxide impact monitoring. Copernicus can measure and monitor emissions, especially from contrail formation. It can also monitor the location and size of terrain and obstacles surrounding an airport.
Strelocova also discussed Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-22, which opens for submissions on 28 October. Proposals should focus on the development of innovative EGNSS and Copernicus applications that support the EU Green Deal objectives and policies, including zero-pollution initiatives; clean, affordable, and secure energy; and accelerating the shift to sustainable and smart mobility.