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
What is the Galileo SAR Service?
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
Sectors
Purpose
What does it do?
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.
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’s role
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.