Galileo is the European Union's Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), managed by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) with design and development by the European Space Agency (ESA). It provides highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning services under civilian control with improved positioning and timing information. Galileo offers various services, including an Open Service (OS) for mass-market use, a Search and Rescue (SAR) function, a High Accuracy Service (HAS), and a Public Regulated Service (PRS) for authorized users.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Indra is responsible for the provision of the Public Regulated Service (PRS) in the Galileo security chain.
Indra has been involved in the Galileo program since its inception, leading the design, development, and deployment of key mission and control systems.
On October 16, Arianespace announced that the last flight of the Ariane 6 for the year will transport a pair of Galileo satellites for the European Global Navigation Satellite System.
The Galileo satellites will be launched aboard an Ariane 62, the two-booster variant of the rocket.
The first stage booster previously launched CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, O3B mPOWER-A, PSN SATRIA, Telkomsat Merah Putih 2, Galileo L13, Koreasat-6A, and 20 Starlink missions.
The final Ariane 6 flight of the year will carry a pair of Galileo satellites for Europe’s global satellite navigation system.
When activated, a distress beacon signal travels thousands of kilometers to a satellite and returns to the Galileo ground segment for position calculation.
Galileo’s High Accuracy Service (HAS) can achieve decimeter-level accuracy, approximately 20 cm horizontally and 40 cm vertically.
The Hubble Space Telescope went on its first mission almost 400 years after Galileo improved the telescope design in 1609.
Galileo offers a positioning accuracy of approximately 1 meter, significantly better than GPS.
Galileo SAR is the European contribution to the international Cospas-Sarsat system for distress signal detection.
SAR experts from British Columbia compared Canadian and European practices, noting how Galileo signals often support their operations.
Galileo operates in medium Earth orbit (MEO) and, as of mid-2025, includes 27 operational satellites.
Galileo continues to improve speed and precision for rescues, while Copernicus provides broader environmental context with free and open data.
A live demonstration of beacon activation showcased the speed of the Galileo SAR service, with return link confirmation received in minutes.
Galileo's 27 operational satellites represent the largest single contribution to the MEOSAR segment of Cospas-Sarsat.
Galileo is the only Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) providing a Return Link Service (RLS).
Other components of the EU Space Programme, such as Galileo and EGNOS, are important for forest monitoring and management.
The LEO PNT ODTS+ project involves the development of an advanced electronic receiver for low Earth orbit satellites that will receive high-precision signals from Galileo to improve positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) both in space and on Earth.
The electronic navigation receiver will acquire and process high-precision Galileo signals to enhance positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) performance.