The first results of the Cospas-Sarsat system flight test

Since 1977, government agencies of the USSR, the U.S., Canada, and France are engaged in a common project involving the development of the joint Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided system (Cospas-Sarsat system). The Cospas-Sarsat system is based on the utilization of low-altitude near-polar, orbiting satellites. The present investigation is concerned with the first in-flight results obtained in connection with the Soviet contribution towards the project. These results confirmed that the system satisfies the major part of the basic requirements for the Future Global Maritime Distress and Safety system. The first Cospas spacecraft, "Cosmos-1383", was successfully launched on June 30, 1982.