GESTA Galileo Experimentation & Scientific Tests in Antarctica

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The objective of the Galileo Experimentation & Scientific Tests in Antarctica (GESTA) project  is to evaluate the performances of GNSS/Galileo Technologies in extreme environments using the full Galileo satellite constellation configuration. The project is lead by the  ESA’s Galileo Navigation Science Office (GScO) in coordination with GMV and will be done during the Antarctica Circumnavigation Expedition organized by the  Asociación Polar Trineo de Viento for the Southern Summer season 2018-2019. The expedition will travel 2000 kms between December 4th, 2018 and February 12th, 2019 and it will access to the Domo Fuji (3810 m) for the first time without motorized means.

This expedition is based in the use as a scientific platform of a well-proven windsled specially designed for polar regions. It allows great mobility and access to remote places that currently require complex and expensive access for research. GESTA includes all the preparation activities required to integrate the GNSS/Galileo Equipment within the expedition infrastructure and the definition of procedures for its operation and the capture and delivery of the data.  Training is provided to the expedition members to carry out and operate the ESA GNSS/Galileo Equipment to obtain GNSS measurements (for all global constellations and available frequencies) in different times, locations (variable latitude and altitude) and situations (diverse geomagnetic and meteorological conditions) for the Galileo Science Office. A set of scientific objectives have been defined, with emphasis on the ionosphere characterisation at Antarctica.

The project was presented to the media on November 15th at Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid (Spain).

More information about the event can be found at:

Updated information can be found at Tierras Polares Bitácora