Signal localisation performance

Simulated distress signal beacon localisation performance during qualification testing of the Maspalomas Medium-Earth Orbit Local User Terminal (MEOLUT), on Gran Canaria, part of an extension of the international Cospas–Sarsat search and rescue programme into medium-altitude orbits, spearheaded by Galileo. The station has first to detect Cospas–Sarsat distress signals within its service area, then locate their position so that the information can be relayed on to the relevant search and rescue authority to react. Precision improves greatly as more satellites are detected, with the majority of detections within 5 km geographical accuracy and many within 2 km. In practice, the three MEOLUTs work together as one giant station, improving system performance still further.