May 7th-10th, 2012 the first training session devoted to Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) Basics took place. The training was held at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Space Operations Minitrack training facility at Hartebeeshoek .

The session was held under the SATSA (SBAS Awareness and Training for South Africa) project within the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission and undertaken by SANSA SO, GMV, NDconsult and AlphaConsult .

The course, attended by delegates from SANSA SO, ATNS, South African CAA, Tracker and Peace Parks Foundation was presented by Drs. Alberto Madrazo and José Caro from GMV who offered their in-depth knowledge on the subject matter.

The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), even though widely used, has many layers of complexity that need to be understood in order to deliver the certified service envisioned in the future.

The training was very successful and both South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and delegates who attended the first training session look forward to the next session on the engineering aspects of SBAS for SA scheduled for next July.

"This project has been funded with the support of the European Commission. The opinions expressed are purely those of the author and may not in any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the European Commission”