Galileo satellite service highlighted during Belgian SAR showcase

The European Union’s (EU’s) Galileo satellite navigation system was showcased during an open day at Koksijde Air Base in Belgium, highlighting the technology’s contribution to modern search and rescue (SAR) operations.

The event – held to mark the 80th anniversary of the Belgian Air Force and the 65th anniversary of the country’s SAR service – attracted around 10,000 visitors and featured flying displays, static aircraft exhibits, and demonstrations of SAR capabilities.

Among the participating aircraft were the NH90 NATO frigate helicopters (NFHs) operated by the Belgian Air Force’s 40th Squadron, which conducts maritime SAR missions over the North Sea.

The event also highlighted Galileo's dedicated SAR service, which is designed to help emergency responders locate distress beacons more quickly by providing highly accurate positioning information. According to the European Commission, the system can reduce the search area from as much as 10km to 2km or less, while enabling distress signals to be detected in under 10 minutes.

Galileo also incorporates a Return Link Service that confirms to people in distress that their emergency beacon has been detected and their location identified, providing reassurance that rescue efforts are underway.

The Galileo SAR service is provided by the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), which oversees the system’s operational performance and availability.

For air rescue operators, satellite-based technologies are playing an increasingly important role in reducing search times, improving situational awareness, and supporting more efficient coordination during time-critical missions, particularly in maritime environments where locating people in distress can be especially challenging.