In the Spotlight

MEOLUT Next is operational to locate distress signals in Vietnam

In the Spotlight

MEOLUT Next is operational to locate distress signals in Vietnam

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    Thales Alenia Space’s MEOLUT Next system has been installed and is now ready for operation in Vietnam. This operation marks a significant milestone in enhancing Vietnam’s search and rescue capabilities. Developed as part of the international COSPAS-SARSAT network, this innovative system enables the rapid detection and location of distress signals, thereby strengthening safety on land, at sea, and in the air. This cutting-edge technology has already been adopted by other key COSPAS-SARSAT users, such as the United States, Canada, France and continues to save lives around the world.

    MEOLUT

    MEOLUT Next ©Thales Alenia Space

    Located in Haiphong, in northeastern Vietnam, MEOLUT Next extends its coverage to a radius of 2,000 km for first-generation and second-generation beacons, as well as a detection area of 6,000 km for emergency locator transmitters. Unlike traditional systems, which use large parabolic antennas, this innovative antenna employs 64 patches and occupies less than 10 square meters. It can track up to 24 satellites simultaneously, significantly expanding the coverage area and improving the detection rate of distress beacons.

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    MEOLUT Next installation in Haiphong, Vietnam ©Thales

    The system demonstrated its effectiveness and robustness during the passage of Typhoon Yagi, which struck Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos in September 2024. The system received, recorded, and processed distress messages from two vessels facing winds of over 150 km/h. Alert information was quickly transmitted to search and rescue teams, saving the lives of 20 crew members and confirming the capability of MEOLUT Next to operate in extreme weather conditions.

    The initial deployment of MEOLUT Next in Vietnam coincides with a meeting between the President of Vietnam and the President of the Ministry of Defense (MOD) in France in early October 2024, enhancing bilateral cooperation between France and Vietnam in the search and rescue sectors.

    MEOLUT Next: A state-of-the-art solution

    MEOLUT Next is based on the MEOSAR (Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue) approach, a significant advancement in the COSPAS-SARSAT system. This new system replaces Low Earth Orbit (LEOSAR) and Geostationary Orbit (GEOSAR) satellites with Medium Earth Orbit (MEOSAR) satellites, allowing for faster and more accurate interventions. It reduces the time to locate a person in distress to less than 10 minutes, with an accuracy of 100 meters.

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    Kick-off meeting for MEOLUT Next in Haiphong, Vietnam ©Thales

    From left to right: Nguyen Quoc Tuan (Thales) ; Bui Ngoc Toan (My Kim Equipment JSC) ; Vu Van Nha (My Kim Equipment JSC) ; Vu The Hung, (VINAMARINE) ; Tran Thi Tuyet Mai Anh (VINAMARINE) ; Nicolas BERNARDIN (Thales) ; Nguyen Dinh Viet (VINAMARINE) ; Nguyen Chi Mai (Thales) ; Pham Nguyen Hai Ha (VINAMARINE) ; Le Nam Tuan (VINAMARINE) ; Nguyen Manh Hung (VINAMARINE) ; Le Phu Khanh (VINAMARINE) ; Nguyen Quang Viet (My Kim Equipment JSC)

    The COSPAS-SARSAT network, in operation since 1985, is a global system in which 45 countries, including Vietnam, participate. It allows for the detection and location of distress signals emitted by beacons installed on nearly one million boats and 300,000 airplanes. Since its inception, it has helped save more than 57,000 lives worldwide.