The SARSAT program
Abstract
The SARSAT/COSPAS satellite network uses 121.5 and 406 MHz buoys to locate ships and aircraft in distress. The 121.5 MHz system, obligatory on many aircraft, gives localization to within 10 km, and, despite being subject to considerable radio interference and a poor signal to noise ratio, is responsible for saving nearly 200 lives. The 406 MHz location error is 2 km in 75% of cases, and 2 hr for 95% of cases in the worst conditions. It suffers however from interference from illegal broadcasts in the frequency band.
- Publication:
-
Data Collection and Platform Location by Satellite
- Pub Date:
- 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982dcpl.nasa..181L
- Keywords:
-
- Position (Location);
- Rescue Operations;
- Sarsat;
- Satellite Doppler Positioning;
- Satellite Networks;
- Searching;
- Buoys;
- Electromagnetic Noise;
- Signal To Noise Ratios;
- Ultrahigh Frequencies;
- Very High Frequencies;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles