The SAR/Galileo Service Definition Document (SDD) was updated on 21 January after the Galileo Return Link Service (RLS) was declared operational at the 12th European Space Conference. The latest version can be found on the GSC webpage.

The SDD has been updated to include information about the Return Link Service (RLS), an enhanced functionality that allows users to receive confirmation that the alert signal they send in case of distress has been well received by the relevant Search and Rescue governmental authorities.

The new SDD not only provides details on the characteristics of the RLS and the infrastructure underpinning it, but also presents the Minimum Performance Levels (MPLs) that the SAR/Galileo Services users shall experience, as well as the main limitations and conditions of use.

Key information

As in previous versions, the main information in the SDD includes:

  • Service terms and conditions of use.
  • Service characteristics (scope, general concept, coverage area, infrastructures and facilities, outputs).
  • Service performance (including how performance is measured, expectations, availability and limitations).
  • Annexes (providing further details on the SAR/Galileo Operations, Manuals and Contact Points)

Read this: Galileo Return Link Service presented at European Space Conference

Users are invited to download and read the updated “SAR/Galileo Service Definition Document (SDD)” to discover the new SAR/Galileo Return Link feature and learn about its main characteristics and performance. The new service complements the SAR/Galileo Forward Link Service, which has been available since 16 December 2016. To read the updated SDD, click here.

the Galileo Return Link Service, a joint effort between Cospas-Sarsat and the Galileo programme, was officially declared operational by the European Commission at the 12th European Space Conference, in Brussels on January 21. The SAR/Galileo Service is making more efficient and effective search and rescue operations globally by promptly notifying and reassuring people in distress that their requests have been received.

To receive more information, SAR/Galileo users can send their inquiries to the European GNSS Service Centre Help Desk at: www.gsc-europa.eu/helpdesk. To help us shape the future services, join the Galileo User Satisfaction survey.