Space: New Joint Office to strengthen collaboration and modernise Galileo

Today, the Commission, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) set up a Joint Office in the Commission to help manage and develop Galileo, Europe’s global navigation satellite system. In combining forces and talents to enhance Galileo’s performance, the Joint Office will support the Commission in the management of the programme and facilitate the coordination with ESA and EUSPA. The Joint Office will help coordinate the Programme-level risks management process and ensure that risks can be treated without delays or cost overruns. The Joint Office will help Galileo develop in a fast-moving and competitive environment, representing a fresh start of collaboration between the Commission, ESA and EUSPA. It will be composed of three staff members of each organisation, working under the leadership of the Commission. Galileo provides accurate and reliable positioning and timing information for autonomous and connected cars, railways, aviation and other sectors. Galileo has been operational since December 2016, when it started offering initial services to public authorities, businesses and citizens.