Czech – Space Center of Europe. From 2021, Prague will be the seat of a new space agency
The European Navigation Satellite System Agency (GSA) has been operating in Prague for seven years. In addition to being responsible for the operation of the European satellite navigation programs Galileo – currently the most accurate navigation system in the world – it is also managed by the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service EGNOS.
This regional system aims to improve the functioning of Europe’s global navigation systems. Its aim is to ensure the safety of vital navigation services in air, sea and land transport in most of Europe. EGNOS uses more than 350 European airports for landing guidance.
At present, the GSA employs around 200 people and since 2012 has exceeded three billion crowns in the Czech budget. After the expansion, it should employ up to seven hundred people. In addition to the development of the market and the operation of Galileo, the Czech Republic will manage a space monitoring program from space called Copernicus, which is in charge of collecting data on soil, air and water above the globe using satellites.
According to experts, it helps save lives at sea, improves the response to natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, forest fires or floods, but also allows farmers to better cultivate crops.
Investment in the space industry
The government recently approved a proposal by the Ministry of Transport to invest in space activities over a billion and two hundred million crowns. That is 275 million crowns more than this year. It wants to contribute to the Czechia, thanks to space activities, getting rid of the label of a low-cost economy and assembly plant.
Until now, for example, components for Vega and larger Ariane light rockets have been produced here, but according to the Ministry of Transport, Czech manufacturers also have potential in the area of mechanical satellite components.
“A good example of current capabilities is the delivery of mechanisms to develop the new generation of Iridium satellites. Other areas are the positioning mechanisms of antennas, nozzles and various components, “ stated in the proposal of the Ministry of Transport.
In total, around fifty companies in the Czech Republic participate in the space program.
“Thanks to these investments, Czech companies are already successfully involved in the supply chains of large companies, participating in the production of launchers or preparing ground control infrastructure.”says resort spokesman František Jemelka.
Czech companies also operate optical systems or a new air traffic control system over Europe. According to an analysis by the Ministry of Transport, the return on investment in the economy is more than eightfold.