Brussels, 29 May 2026
The European Union has taken ownership of a ground antenna that helps keep Galileo, Europe’s satellite navigation system, running. The antenna, located at a space centre in Redu, Belgium, was previously held by the European Space Agency (ESA) and has now been formally handed over to the EU at a signing ceremony in Brussels.
The RED-1 Telemetry, Tracking and Control antenna is part of the infrastructure that monitors and communicates with Galileo’s satellites in orbit, making it a critical link in the system’s operation.
Galileo, Europe’s answer to GPS, serves over 4 billion users worldwide, offering highly precise positioning and timing services, designed to guarantee the continent’s independence from foreign navigation systems.
The handover was sealed through two agreements: one between the EU and ESA covering the transfer of ownership, and a second involving Belgium to ensure the antenna can remain hosted at its current site.
Source – EU Commission