ESA and ASECNA Sign Agreement on Satellite Navigation Cooperation in Africa

European Space Agency (ESA) and the Agency for Air Navigation Security in Africa (ASECNA) have signed a framework agreement for cooperation aimed at strengthening air traffic security on the African continent by satellite, official sources said.

The key objective is to set up mutual assistance between the two organizations, notably concerning the extension of operational services of European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) in Africa, hosting of European ground installations within ASECNA territories, support to EGNOS project in terms of international authorization and standardization, introduction of complementary elements and Galileo services in Africa, according to a statement issued by ESA.

Since 2003, ASECNA and ESA have worked jointly, by carrying out several tests which demonstrated the advantages of the EGNOS on a continent where a majority of airports are not equipped with classic landing assistance systems.

Source: Xinhua