Indra will develop two types of ground station for Galileo under contracts announced on October 28, 2026: stations that receive and monitor satellite signals, and stations that transmit navigation information back to the constellation. The projects support the European navigation system’s transition to its second generation, with equipment designed to serve both existing and future satellites.
According to Indra’s contract announcement, both projects will run for four years. The sensor-station work will be led from Barcelona’s 22@ technology district, with GMV supplying satellite-navigation reception and processing capabilities and Thales SIX contributing security expertise. Madrid will lead the uplink-station project, supported by subcontractors specializing in satellite communications, active antennas, radio-frequency systems, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
The two station types perform different functions. Galileo Sensor Stations, abbreviated GSS, measure the signals received from satellites, supporting assessments of signal quality and satellite orbits. Galileo Uplink Stations, or ULS, send mission data to the satellites for subsequent broadcast to users.
How the Ground Equipment Will Change
The European Space Agency’s announcement describes a connected process: sensor measurements reach control centers, which generate navigation messages, and uplink stations deliver those messages to the satellites. The contracts address both ends of that ground-based exchange.
New sensor stations will use modern computing architectures and software-defined radio. ESA expects these changes to simplify maintenance and upgrades and accelerate the introduction of new functions. Controlled reception pattern antennas will strengthen the stations’ resistance to jamming and spoofing affecting received signals.
These protections address reception at Galileo’s ground infrastructure. Jamming disrupts signal reception; spoofing attempts to deceive equipment with false signals. As explained in New Space Economy’s coverage of Galileo signal authentication, verifying the origin of navigation information and maintaining reception are separate tasks. Authentication cannot restore a signal that interference prevents a receiver from using.
For uplinks, the development includes phased array antennas alongside traditional dishes. Phased arrays steer radio transmissions electronically toward satellites. ESA expects the technology to improve communications and uplink availability.
The deployment sequence begins with qualification of the new station designs. Additional units will then be manufactured and introduced gradually at Galileo sites worldwide. Compatibility with both satellite generations allows the equipment to support the existing constellation during that transition.
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