Project description
The future of search and rescue
When it comes to emergencies, every second counts. It’s vital for search and rescue (SAR) teams to respond swiftly and effectively to save lives. In this context, the EU-funded HELIOS project aims to address the critical challenges. With a focus on developing a second generation range of beacons and associated antennas, HELIOS will revolutionise satellite-based distress alert detection and information distribution systems. By harnessing the full potential of the new MEOSAR (medium-altitude Earth orbit SAR) Cospas-Sarsat International Programme embedded in navigation satellite systems like Galileo, the project will be able to save more lives at sea and on land. Its objectives include defining and developing advanced products, validating the Galileo European Global Navigation Satellite System & SAR system, and obtaining necessary certifications for commercialisation.
Objective
The HELIOS project aims at providing a Second Generation range of Beacons (SGB) and associated antennas designed to operate with the full capability of the new Meosar Cospas/Sarsat (C/S) International Programme (a satellite-based Search And Rescue (SAR) distress alert detection and information distribution system), embedded in the Navigation Satellite Systems as GALILEO.
The Search & Rescue community is at a turn of its history. New satellite systems develops the MEOSAR constellation of Cospas-Sarsat system, EGNOS improves significantly the performance of localization introducing new capabilities and new operations impossible before, GALILEO unique differentiation with the RLS added to the performance of the system will contribute to save more lives at sea and on land.
The key objectives of the HELIOS project are:
1 - Defining, developing Products (beacons and associated antennas) compatible with EGNSS & SAR services and latest end-users’ requirements.
2 - GALILEO EGNSS & SAR System validation.
3 - Certifications for commercialization.
The HELIOS consortium composed of Orolia, Cobham aerospace communications, CNES, SIOEN, Air France, and Airbus, is involved in different relevant international working groups (Cospas-Sarsat, ICAO, EUROCAE), and will ensure that the development phase of the SGB will be in line with the compatibility and interoperability required by the Cospas-Sarsat.
Gathering the knowledge of major players recognized in their industry worldwide, the HELIOS partners project will give the vehicle to the European Industry to lead the way for safer, more innovative systems responding to current and evolving market problems.
Fields of science
- humanitieshistory and archaeologyhistory
- social sciencessocial geographytransportnavigation systemssatellite navigation systemglobal navigation satellite system
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraft
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
56520 GUIDEL
France