Togo and Thales Alenia Space have signed a contract to install a new ground station in Lomé, aiming to help in search and rescue (SAR) of persons in distress
Using Thales Alenia Space’s Medium Orbit Local User Terminal (MEOLUT), the latest-generation Medium Orbit Search and Rescue (MEOSAR) technology, this system will enable the instantaneous location of a distress call issued by a beacon operating through the COSPAS-SARSAT system.
The ground station comprises of a compact, high-tech beam-shaping antenna, a Mission Control Centre (MCC) dedicated to managing and distributing alerts, and a Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC), which interfaces with systems already in place locally or in neighbouring countries.
This will detect and locate a distress signal triggered by a ship, plane or land vehicle, thus enhancing the safety of people and goods. The unexcelled coverage provided by the beam-shaping antenna will allow Togo to receive distress signals over a radius of more than 3,000km.
“Thales Alenia Space’s MEOLUT next station reflects Togolese government’s aim of guaranteeing maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea, while also fostering a climate of security that is needed to underpin the economic development of the country and the entire region,” declared Ninsao Gnofam, minister of infrastructures and transports.
