Galileo Control System advances toward second generation

GMV has successfully completed the first deployment of the new Galileo Second Generation (G2G) Ground Control Segment (GCS 4.0) at the Galileo Control Center in Germany (GCC-D). This milestone marks another step in preparing the infrastructure that will enable ground-based control and operations for the future second-generation satellites of Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation program. 

Following the deployment, GMV worked alongside the Galileo operator and the European Space Agency (ESA) to conduct the first system compatibility test campaign (SCTC) from the German control center, communicating with the second-generation satellite platform developed by Thales Alenia Space Italia (TAS-I). The tests verified initial connectivity between the control center and the satellite, including the exchange of commands and their correct interpretation and execution, as well as the reception and decoding of telemetry—all key elements identified in previous SCTC.  

The campaign also included cryptographic testing, building on work carried out by ESA, GMV, TAS-I, and the final operator to validate new G2G security algorithms. These tests are a fundamental part of the GCS–satellite integration campaigns, designed to ensure that the satellite correctly interprets commands and that the ground segment effectively processes the telemetry it receives.  

This success adds to the milestones already achieved in compatibility campaigns involving satellites from Thales Alenia Space and Airbus, further demonstrating the robustness of GMV’s G2G GCS solution.  

With this deployment, GMV continues to advance the operational readiness of the new generation of Galileo while solidifying its role as a key technology partner in the evolution of Europe’s satellite navigation system.