The International Cospas-Sarsat Programme is a satellite-based search and rescue distress alert detection system. The SAR/Galileo service is Europe’s contribution to the Cospas-Sarsat Programme. Since 2016, CNES has been guaranteeing delivery of the SAR Galileo service on behalf of the European Commission.
Telespazio France has been involved in Cospas-Sarsat and SAR/Galileo service provision with CNES since 2018. Telespazio France is responsible for:
- SAR/Galileo ground segment operation coordination
- SAR/Galileo Service Centre and Cospas-Sarsat French ground segment operation (FMCC)
- System monitoring and anomaly management
- Logistics, Service Transition, Performance monitoring
- Technical follow-up and management of Return Link Service and MEOLUTs
- System evolutions preparations, follow-up and qualifications
- Tests definition and system expertise
- Development and Maintenance of the Return Link Test Bed, permanent platform for tests and demonstrations via Galileo Return Link
Beyond these activities, Telespazio France also lead SAR/Galileo service evolution design projects on behalf of the European Commission, such as the SERENITY, GRALLE or STELLAR projects.