Galileo now replying to SOS messages worldwide

As well as providing global navigation services, Europe’s Galileo satellite constellation is contributing to saving more than 2000 lives annually by relaying SOS messages to first responders. And from now on the satellites will reply to these messages, assuring people in danger that help is on the way.

Operation shark bait

This ESA-design ‘return link’ system, unique to Galileo, was declared operational this week, during the 12th European Space Conference in Belgium. The delivery time for the return link acknowledgement messages from initial emergency beacon activation is expected to be a couple of minutes in the majority of cases, up to 30 minutes maximum, depending primarily on the time it takes to detect and locate the alert. Read more…

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12th European Space Conference – Closing speech

By Thierry Breton*:

I am very happy to be with you today to participate to my first Space Conference. A few months ago, I would have never imagined to be here in front of you, delivering a speech on the priorities for Europe on space.

Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market

Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market

But I am particularly pleased, because as I said in my hearing, I had many lives but always the same driver: passion. Read more…

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Galileo Return Link Service declared Operational at European Space Conference

The Galileo Return Link Service, which allows people in distress to receive automatic acknowledgement that their signal has been received, was declared operational at the 12th European Space Conference, in the Egmont Palace in Brussels on January 21.

Galileo Return Link Service declared Operational

Galileo Return Link Service declared Operational

The Galileo Return Link Service (RLS) is a free-of-charge global service available to Cospas-Sarsat RLS compatible beacons. The new functionality, currently offered uniquely by Galileo, enables a communication link that relays Return Link Messages (RLM) back to the originating beacon through the Galileo Navigation Signal in Space (I/NAV E1). Read more…

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European Space Week 2019

The European Space Week is the leading event for the European space programmes in 2019. It brings together business, policy-makers, international experts and the space application user community. The event will present first-hand insights into the European Union’s Space Programmes Copernicus, EGNOS and Galileo and updates on the New Space Economy, as well as discussing how space solutions can contribute to a sustainable Europe and a sustainable future.

With a mix of keynotes, panel discussions, networking opportunities, business matchmaking sessions and exhibitions, it provides the perfect setup for a productive exchange of game-changing ideas, future trends and current challenges.

This year’s European Space Week focuses on the following central themes: Read more…

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Remote beacon activation with Galileo return link successfully tested

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) together with Orolia, CNES, Enaire, Spanish Mission Coordination Centre (MCC), Spanish Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) and French MCC, have successfully performed end-to-end tests with the airlines Iberia and Air France on remote beacon activation using the Galileo Return Link Service (RLS). The tests helped to assess and validate the operational concept for a potential new use of Galileo to support fast response in distress situations.

Successful remote beacon activation with Galileo RLS

Successful remote beacon activation with Galileo RLS

The goal of the end-to-end test with Iberia and Air France, which was conducted on 16 and 19 September 2019 respectively, was to validate the operational concept for remote aviation beacon activation being developed by Eurocae Working Group-98 SG-1 RLS, as well as to test the usability of the end user interfaces. Read more…

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Galileo Initial Services restored

Commercial users can already see signs of recovery of the navigation & timing services, fluctuations may be experienced until further notice.

NAGU 2019027

DATE GENERATED (UTC): 2019-07-18 08:20
NAGU TYPE: GENERAL
NAGU NUMBER: 2019027
NAGU SUBJECT: SERVICE RESTORED (POTENTIAL INSTABILITY)
NAGU REFERENCED TO: 2019026
START DATE EVENT (UTC): 2019-07-17 20:52
END DATE EVENT (UTC): UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
SATELLITE AFFECTED: ALL

EVENT DESCRIPTION: THE SERVICE IS RESTORED. USERS MAY EXPERIENCE SERVICE INSTABILITY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

https://www.gsc-europa.eu/notice-advisory-to-galileo-users-nagu-2019027

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