Galileo satellite with search and rescue antenna

Galileo satellite being used for search and rescue: the smaller, lower antenna on its front, Earth-facing side serves a Cospas-Sarsat MEOSAR (Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue) transponder. The second two Galileo In-Orbit Validation satellites, launching at the end of summer 2012, will carry MEOSAR transponders and take part in a subsequent MEOSAR demonstration and evaluation programme.