Galileo Search and Rescue (SAR) Service
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What is the Galileo SAR Service?
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What does it do?
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EUSPA’s role
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Facts & Figures
The Galileo Search and Rescue (SAR) Service contributes to lifesaving missions by quickly relaying distress signals to rescue teams using satellites and ground stations across Europe. It is the EU contribution to the Cospas-Sarsat system, the international satellite-based search and rescue network.
Galileo enhances global SAR capabilities by improving distress signal detection and providing faster response times and saving lives in the process.
Launch
The delivery of the Galileo SAR Initial Services started in December 2016.
Sectors
Galileo SAR supports the Maritime and Emergency Management sectors.
Purpose
To locate SAR beacons and provide accurate, timely, and reliable alert data to SAR authorities contributing to the worldwide efforts towards Cospas-Sarsat.
Every second counts in a search and rescue mission. The Galileo SAR Service works with both efficiency and accuracy:
- SAR/Galileo Forward Link Service: Relay of Cospas-Sarsat distress signals to the ground.
- Signal detected by Galileo satellites carrying SAR almost immediately.
- Data relayed to ground stations (MEOLUTs).
- Location calculated and sent to Mission Control Centres (MCCs).
SAR/Galileo Return Link Service
Galileo is the only GNSS that provides a return link alert which informs the sender that their distress alert has been received and help is on the way.
Find out more
Global coverage with MEOSAR
Galileo’s inclusion in the MEOSAR (Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue) system ensures near real-time detection and location of distress signals worldwide.
EUSPA is the provider of the Galileo Search and Rescue (SAR) Service and holds the following responsibilities:
- Oversees the operations, maintenance and service performance of Galileo SAR.
- Acts as the contracting authority of the System and Services operations.
- Performs the Security Monitoring of the system under operations.
< 1 min
Average delivery of a Return Link Message from Galileo to beacon.
2 km
Localisation accuracy: in the European coverage area, better than 2 km in 95% of cases.
1.3 million
Supported beacons:
1.3 million GNSS-enabled
SAR beacons in use (2024).
23,000
Galileo SAR saves lives: 23,000 since 2016.
