Galileo sends first signals to Earth based on Alcatel Alenia Space’s technology
Paris, 17 January 2006 – Giove-A, the first Galileo pilot satellite launched on December 28th, has transmitted its signals to the Earth stations using the Navigation Signal Generation Unit (NSGU) and the wide-band Navigation Antenna developed by Alcatel Alenia Space.
Giove-A main objective is to secure access to the frequencies allocated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for the Galileo system. Signals are broadcasted through an L-band phased-array antenna designed to cover the visible Earth from the Medium Earth Orbit.
“Giove-A first signals transmission is another success for Alcatel Alenia Space. We are very proud to contribute to Giove-A important mission and to Galileo satellite deployment” declared Carlo Alberto Penazzi, CEO of Alcatel Alenia Space in Italy. “In addition to our contribution to Giove-A, Alcatel Alenia Space is a major actor in the construction of Giove-B, the second satellite of the Galileo constellation which will enable to test critical new technologies in orbit. This satellite is currently in our integration centre in Rome for testing and final assembly.”
Galileo is the European navigation satellite system, providing highly accurate positioning services to nomad users. It will be interoperable with the US Global Positioning System (GPS) and Russia’s Global Navigation Satellite System (Glonass), the two other global satellite navigation systems.
About Alcatel Alenia Space
Alcatel Alenia Space is the European leader in satellite systems, at the forefront of orbit infrastructures. Created in July 2005, the company brings together the vast experience and know-how of Alcatel Space and Alenia Spazio to form a new leading force in European space technology. Alcatel Alenia Space represents a worldwide standard for space development that impacts everybody’s future: from navigation to telecommunications, from meteorology to environmental monitoring, from defence to science and observation. Alcatel Alenia Space is an Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) (67%) and Finmeccanica (Milan:SIFI.MI, FNC.IM) (33%) company.
About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks; applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion and 56,000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
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