GMV expands global coverage of the Focusear system with a new contract

GMV has been awarded the FOCUSEAR-GEO-NE project by CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales) under the EU SST programme, in the context of the Financial Support to Third Parties Innovative Commercial Sensors, cascading grant EUSST2023-26 Project.

This contract will enable the deployment of a passive RF sensor network outside EU territory, strengthening Europe’s capability to monitor geostationary (GEO) satellites transmitting in Ku-band across currently uncovered regions. The new network will consist of four stations delivering Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA) measurements with high accuracy (ca. 3 metres) and low latency (15 minutes), significantly extending the reach of the Focusear system already operational in Spain.

Focusear, fully developed by GMV, is an innovative passive sensor system that has proven to be an efficient, reliable, and cost-effective solution for continuous tracking of active satellites, even in the presence of frequent manoeuvres. The system currently operates three stations in Tres Cantos, Boecillo, and Barcelona, delivering over 2,800 tracks per day.

The award of FOCUSEAR-GEO-NE consolidates GMV's position as a European leader in advanced space surveillance technologies, reinforcing its partnership with CNES and strategic role within the EU SST initiative. It also opens the door to future expansions of the system to new regions and applications, including low Earth orbit (LEO) tracking.

With this project, GMV continues to drive European technological autonomy in Space Surveillance & Tracking, actively contributing to a safer and more sustainable space environment.