Galileo EWSS - Strengthening Europe's emergency alert systems

This episode discusses the Galileo Emergency Warning Satellite Service (EWSS) and its role in enhancing emergency communications in Europe. Eric Guyader, a Galileo Engineer at the European Commission, explains that EWSS is designed to send satellite-based alerts during disasters, ensuring messages reach people when traditional systems fail due to congestion or damage.Eric shares the history behind EWSS, initially inspired by the 2004 tsunami and revisited after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The service complements existing ground-based alerts by using Galileo’s satellite network, which is independent of terrestrial infrastructure. Demonstrations in 2023 and 2024 across several EU Member States proved EWSS's rapid alert capabilities, transmitting warnings within a minute.As the service nears its 2025 launch, efforts continue to link Galileo with national alert systems, train civil protection authorities, and collaborate with device manufacturers for readiness. EWSS is a critical step towards a more resilient Europe, with interest from global partners like India and Japan.