GMV leads a new ESA contract for the evolution of the Galileo system

GMV and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a new contract for the development of a new generation of Galileo Sensor Station for receiving signals from Galileo satellites. The project, called ACHILLES (Advanced Technologies Breadboarding for Low-Complexity Sensor Stations), reinforces GMV’s position as a technology leader in satellite navigation systems.

Sensor Stations for Galileo are part of the Galileo ground network and are essential to the system’s operation. They receive and process the signals transmitted by the satellites, analyze their quality, identify errors and send the measurements and navigation messages received to the system control center. The objective of ACHILLES is to design a new generation of more compact, robust and low-cost Sensor Station, capable of ensuring high accuracy and robustness of operation. To achieve this goal, the industrial consortium led by GMV will explore innovative technologies in various fields, enabling the creation of more flexible, scalable and robust stations that are resistant to interference, reflections and attempts to falsify the signal.

Two key partners — Fraunhofer IIS (Germany) and the Université Côte d’Azur (France) — will contribute their recognized expertise in advanced antenna engineering.

ACHILLES is part of the Horizon Europe program. Independently from Horizon Europe GMV is leading a LEO-PNT mission that will be transmitted by the Celeste constellation currently under development, the first satellites of which will be launched in the first quarter of 2026. Collaboration with ESA remains fundamental to European technological and industrial growth. Investment in space projects has been shown to have a multiplier effect on innovation, the economy, and the creation of highly skilled jobs, contributing to a more sustainable and competitive future.

This contract strengthens GMV’s collaboration with ESA and highlights the importance of investing in space technology as a driver of innovation, industrial growth, and qualified employment, contributing to Europe’s technological autonomy and competitiveness.

Acknowledgement: This work is performed under the Horizon Europe activity reference HE-ESA-027.2 with title Advanced Technologies Breadboarding for Low-Complexity Sensor Stations. The Activity is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s)only and the European Commission and/or EUSPA and/or ESA cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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