Space programmes and satellite navigation
¶ Space programmes and satellite navigation
Chapter 2.9 of the dispatch (pp. 620-637) governs Switzerland's participation in EU space programmes. The EUSPA agreement enables access to Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus as well as to the security-relevant Public Regulated Service (PRS).
¶ Summary
The EU operates Galileo, its own civilian satellite navigation system (GNSS), as an alternative to the US GPS. Switzerland has been cooperating with the EU in satellite navigation since 2014 via a GNSS cooperation agreement. The new EUSPA (European Union Agency for the Space Programme) agreement significantly expands this cooperation and gives Switzerland access to all relevant EU space programmes.
¶ EU space programmes
| Programme | Description | Relevance for Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Galileo | Civilian GNSS with 30 satellites, centimetre-accurate positioning | Time-critical applications, rescue services, autonomous driving |
| EGNOS | Supplementary system for more accurate GPS/Galileo signals | Aviation (instrument approaches), agriculture |
| Copernicus | Earth observation programme (Sentinel satellites) | Natural hazards, climate monitoring, spatial planning |
| PRS | Public Regulated Service - encrypted service | Security authorities, defence, critical infrastructure |
¶ Galileo - European satellite navigation
Galileo is the European counterpart to GPS, GLONASS (Russia) and BeiDou (China). It offers:
- Open Service: free for all users (smartphones, vehicles)
- High Accuracy Service: centimetre-level accuracy for professional applications
- Search and Rescue: rescue service support with return feedback
- Public Regulated Service (PRS): encrypted service for governmental use
PRS access is particularly relevant from a security policy perspective: it guarantees reliable navigation signals even in crisis situations, when civilian signals could be jammed or switched off.
¶ EGNOS - precision enhancement
The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) improves the accuracy of GPS and Galileo signals to less than one metre. Main applications:
- Precision approaches in aviation (CAT-I approaches)
- Precision agriculture (GPS-guided tractors)
- Maritime navigation in coastal areas
¶ Copernicus - Earth observation
Copernicus provides continuous Earth observation data via the Sentinel satellites. Particularly relevant for Switzerland:
- Natural hazard monitoring: avalanches, debris flows, floods
- Glacier observation: documentation of glacier retreat
- Air quality: fine particulates, NO2, ozone
- Land use: spatial planning, urban sprawl
¶ Financial aspects
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual EU budget space programmes | approx. EUR 84 m/year |
| Swiss contribution | approx. CHF 3.9 m/year |
| Participation fee | 2-4% of programme budget |
| GNSS cooperation since | 2014 |
Costs are low compared to other programmes. No new implementing legislation is required - existing federal law suffices.
¶ Key points
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agreement type | EUSPA agreement |
| Basis | GNSS cooperation agreement 2014 |
| Programmes | Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus, PRS |
| Swiss contribution | approx. CHF 3.9 m/year |
| PRS access | Yes (security-relevant) |
| Implementing legislation | Not required |
| Agency | EUSPA (Prague) |
¶ References
- Dispatch of the Federal Council on the Switzerland-EU package, chapter 2.9 (pp. 620-637), FedGaz 2025
- GNSS cooperation agreement Switzerland-EU, 2014
- EUSPA: European Union Space Programme, annual report 2024
- ESA: Galileo Programme Status, 2025