Open Door Day at Koksijde Air Base showcases how Galileo supports Search and Rescue operations

On 8 June, around 10,000 visitors gathered at Koksijde Air Base in Belgium to celebrate 80 years of the Belgian Air Force and 65 years of the Search and Rescue Service (SAR). The Open Door Day offered visitors the opportunity to explore more than 30 helicopters and aircraft through flying demonstrations, static displays and interactive activities, giving visitors a closer look at Search and Rescue operations.

Among the highlights were the NH90 NFH helicopters of the Belgian Air Force’s 40th Helicopter Squadron, which carries out Search and Rescue operations over the North Sea. These missions often take place in challenging conditions, where every minute counts and rapidly locating people in distress can make all the difference.

This is where Galileo, the European Union’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), plays a vital role. As Europe’s civilian satellite navigation system, Galileo provides highly accurate positioning, navigation and timing services. Its dedicated Search and Rescue Service (SAR) helps emergency teams locate distress signals in less than 10 minutes, while reducing the search area from up to 10 kilometres to 2 kilometres or less.

Galileo also features the unique Return Link Service, which automatically confirms to people in distress that their emergency signal has been received and their location identified, providing reassurance that their request for help has been received. By helping rescue teams locate people in distress faster and more accurately, Galileo contributes to faster emergency responses and helps save lives.

The EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is the provider of the Galileo SAR service, ensuring that the service is available, reliable and meets defined performance requirements.