The European Space Expo (ESE) has been continuing its highly successful tour of European cities this summer. This spectacular exhibition’s latest landing was in Rome between 30 August and 6 September on the Piazza del Popolo in the heart of the ‘Eternal City’. And the Romans have been flocking to the ESE in record number with over 50 000 visitors entertained and informed during the week.
Vice President Tajani emphasised the huge opportunity that European investment in space-based infrastructure, such as the EGNOS and Galileo Global Navigation Systems, represented for industry in the European Union.
He declared that Galileo will generate €90 billion of economic and social benefits over 20 years and that the world global market for global navigation enabled services is forecast to grow to over €240 billion by 2022.
“Galileo is a gold mine of market opportunities that are limited only by the imaginations of innovative entrepreneurs and service providers,” said Mr Calini, Head of the Market Development at GSA during his speech within the ESE.
Mr Calini highlighted the benefits that Europe is already getting from EGNOS including the 159 EGNOS-enabled approach procedures at 87 European airports that have allowed safe expansion of air services at low cost. He also highlighted the fact that two-thirds of European farmers use EGNOS-enabled positioning to boost agricultural productivity.
The future potential is still far reaching, especially with Galileo. Europe will be able to exploit the market opportunities provided by satellite navigation to a much greater extent than otherwise possible, said Mr Calini. He added that Galileo, once fully deployed, will offer distinctive market-specific services:
- The provision of the Open Service (OS) will contribute to increased availability, reliability and trust in positioning via multi-constellation concept. Different market segments (i.e. Location Based Services, logistics, dangerous goods tracking, eCall) would benefit from the improved performance offered by OS, especially in difficult urban environment.
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The Commercial Service (CS) is expected to provide an enhanced accuracy position service particularly interesting for professional markets. In addition, the controlled access to the signal offered by CS, can be leveraged in many regulated applications. - The national and regional governmental users will benefit directly from the Public Regulated Service (PRS).
- The Search and Rescue (SAR) Service will allow important improvements including near real-time reception of distress messages transmitted from anywhere on Earth, increased accuracy and availability.
Mr des Dorides, GSA Executive Director concluded: ‘Galileo and EGNOS are on track to achieve important market results in the future.’
Records smashed!
The ESE is designed to relate the excitement and possibilities that space-based technologies and enterprise can provide for all European citizens. And the exhibition has been a huge success. Rome was the 13th major European city that the ESE has visited and it has been seen by over 200 000 visitors so far. Rome turned out to be the biggest success so far with over 50 000 people coming through its doors!
Next stop will be the Vilnius from 17 to 22 September where the ESE will feature in the programme of the Lithuanian Presidency of the European Union.
From there the ESE will head north for the Estonian capital of Tallinn from 1 to 6 October.
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