Radio-navigation Committee
Report on GNSS Status
GPS
There are 30 operational satellites in the constellation, with just over half beyond their design life. The latest launch was last November. The first Block IIRM satellite with the L2C signal is due for launch this year, with the first Block IIF with the L5 signal due in 2006. L2C is scheduled to become operational in 2013 and L5 in 2014 with GPS III, still at the design concept stage, due to be fully operational in 2018. A study on the modernization of the L1 civil signal has been published. A second, low data rate signal added to the present CA code appears to be the favoured option.
GLONASS
There are now 11 usable satellites, with a further 3 launched in December 2004, including a second GLONASS M with two civil signals, still to be declared operational. Although this is not yet sufficient to provide a fully independent positioning service, a further commitment has been made by the head of the Russian Space Agency to restore an 18 satellite constellation by 2007.
GALILEO
The target date for Galileo to become operational is still 2008, although many consider 2010 or 2012 more realistic. The Council of Transport ministers, acknowledging the delays that have occurred appear to have accepted that some cost increases may be necessary in order to maintain the target. The first test-bed satellites are due to be launched this year, 2006 being the deadline for securing the frequencies assigned and the Galileo Joint Undertaking is due to select the concessionaire to operate the system by February. The setting up of the European GNSS Supervisory Authority to deal with security, standardization and frequencies has also been initiated.
SBAS
WAAS is operational with two Inmarsat satellites (AOR-W & POR). EGNOS is still in the test-bed phase, with four satellites broadcasting intermittently or in test mode (Inmarsat AOR-E, IOR-W & IOR and Artemis).
A further launch attempt is due shortly of Japan's MTSAT to provide their SBAS: MSAS. The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), a regional, geo-synchronous augmentation system is also planned by Japan. No recent information has been received on the development of Beidou by China or GAGAN by India, although India and Russia are reported to have agreed to cooperate on satellite launches and China has agreed to participate in Galileo.
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