LogicaCMG awarded Galileo security contracts

GPS World, June, 2006

The European Space Agency (ESA) selected LogicaCMG of Camberley, United Kingdom, on May 8 for three development contracts worth more than [euro]20 million. LogicaCMG will develop facilities that manage the most security-sensitive elements of the Galileo program to assure continued and accurate service to authorized users. The facilities generate, distribute, and manage cryptographic keys used by a range of security modules within Galileo, in both the ground segment and onboard the satellites.

"LogicaCMG has proved in earlier work on Galileo to have a sound understanding of the facilities needed to manage the 30-satellite Galileo system, and to have an innovative and pragmatic approach to solving the many technical challenges," commented Sylvain Loddo, ESA's Galileo Systems, Ground Segment and Operations Manager for Galileo. "They have also proved to be a reliable supplier of mission-critical, software-intensive systems on EGNOS, ESA's precursor to Galileo."

LogicaCMG has been involved in Galileo for more than 10 years, including serving as prime contractor for the design of the ground segment (Phase CO). In the current in-orbit validation phase, LogicaCMG is contracted for the satellite constellation control facility, support to Galileo Industries in the area of security and procurement, and development of mission critical scientific algorithms.

LogicaCMG will now begin the process of selecting subcontractors from across Europe to supply components needed to develop the facilities.