Sogeti Ireland's Euro Space Project

  Lift Off in Antarctica 4 Sogeti Ireland With European Space Agency's Galileo Project

IT services company Sogeti Ireland was working in Antarctica recently through a partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) which involves it helping to install and test specialist navigation equipment for space-based satellites at 20 ESA ground stations around the world.

Floren Cacho, an IT consultant with Sogeti Ireland, recently returned from a 24-day assignment at the Norwegian Troll Research Station in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica, where he went to install and test specialist ground equipment for the ESA's Galileo Project.

Satellites are constantly moving around the Earth's atmosphere and this can create an error in their positioning. Ground based equipment is needed to  pick up the satellite's signal and then beam back a signal telling the satellite its exact position in real time.

The Galileo Project involves Sogeti working with Vitrociset Belgium and Thales to install navigation equipment at specific points across the globe.

Cacho's job was to install and test the satellite navigation equipment at the Troll station, which doesn't look as if it has too cold a climate, considering he is in shirt sleeves in the picture here.

"The Galileo Project is a global navigation satellite system similar to GPS, which is  currently being built by the European Union and the European Space Agency," explained Terry O'Mara, Sogeti Ireland Practice Manager. "The system can be used to position cars, boats and flights."

Sogeti Ireland is a member of the Capgemini Group, which has had a space unit  for over 20 years. It employs 230 staff dedicated  to Space programs and projects in Europe.

Sogeti Ireland launched its space competency in 2005, with support from Capgemini France.

Headquartered in Toulouse, Capgemini's Space Unit operates in 12 European countries and has been a long standing supplier to companies such as Alcatel, Thales, EADS, and Airbus.

Sogeti Ireland is also project managing all Irish participation on this installation and testing project and has partnered with FCG Surveys and the (NSC)

FCG carried out Geodetic Surveys at each of the sites, while the NSC provided consultancy services.

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