Tags: European Space Agency, Satellite Navigation System, Cospas-Sarsat
Publication: WebProNews.com
Publication Date: 01/23/2013

Cospas-Sarsat system. Image credit: ESA

The European Space Agency (ESA) has turned on a search and rescue (SAR) package on its Galileo navigation satellites. This marks an important expansion for the Space System for the Search of Vessels in Distress and Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (Cospas-Sarsat) network. Cospas-Sarsat receives distress calls form air and sea vessels.

Before putting the package to work, ESA is making sure the repeater is intact and functioning, and has not been damaged by the satellites’ launch. Further testing of the new system will soon be completed and the SAR package will be ready to work.

The international Cospas-Sarsat tracking system has been working for more than 30 years and, according to ESA, it has saved approximately 31,000 lives in this time.

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