Galileo: David Morris outlines UK’s role in project
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The UK was kicked out of the EU’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) when it left the bloc. But Timo Pesonen, head of the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space of the European Commission seemed to open the door for the UK to return. Speaking in June, Mr Pesonen told a briefing in Brussels: “The EU is open to negotiate with the UK on its participation in the EU space programmes. The ball is in London, not here.”
The system, which goes live in 2026, features a Public Regulated Service (PRS) that can be used by government agencies, armed forces and emergency services.
The bloc decided this “crucial feature” would only be accessible for EU members, despite the UK developing its “brains and heart”.
The Government appeared to give up on the dream of building a UK alternative when it invested an £364million ($500million) to acquire the satellite company OneWeb from bankruptcy, in conjunction with the Indian company Bharti Global.
The low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation was purchased to provide “global” Internet coverage.
But now, OneWeb is said to be considering providing Positioning Navigation and Timing (PNT) services.
Massimiliano Ladovaz, chief technology officer of OneWeb, said: “What we can deliver is really a byproduct of our communications payload.
“We don’t need multibillion-dollar additional satellites to deliver such capability.
“Without changing anything on the satellites, we will be able to provide good timing accuracy,”
This would start with basic timing services on their “Generation 1” satellites, which are currently being deployed.
They would be followed by “Generation 2” satellites later in the decade that OneWeb argues can provide full navigation services.
Mr Ladovaz added: “It’s about providing a high availability, high accuracy positioning, navigation and timing service that is independent of other satellite navigation services.”
Last month, Hanwha, one of South Korea’s biggest conglomerates, invested £200million in OneWeb.
Hanwha made the investment via Hanwha Systems, the defence systems division that last year acquired Phasor Solutions, a British satellite antenna start-up.
The group will have a seat on OneWeb’s board.
OneWeb said the addition of one of South Korea’s leading defence groups as a shareholder would bring relationships with new Government customers and an expanded geographical reach.
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Neil Masterson, OneWeb chief executive, said Hanwha would also bring “advanced defence and antenna technology” to the table.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, chair of Bharti Enterprises and of OneWeb, described Hanwha as a “powerful partner” for the satellite group.
Hanwha’s investment is due to be completed in the first half of 2022, subject to regulatory approvals.
OneWeb, which has 254 satellites in orbit already, is aiming to launch a limited commercial service in northern regions later this year and a global offering by the end of 2022.
OneWeb was designed as a broadband constellation first and foremost – it will provide rural 4G, and one day 5G, Internet signals across the nation.
It will operate in LEO, as opposed to the medium Earth orbits used by Galileo and GPS.
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