Satellites for Distress Alerting and Locating

摘要

This report discusses the background behind the congressional legislation that led to the requirement for the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) and the Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) to be installed on certain types of aircraft and inspected marine vessels respectively. The distress alerting and locating (DAL) problem is discussed for existing ELT and EPIRB equipped aircraft and ships. Alternative concepts to improve the current situation did not address other facets of Search and Rescue (SAR) operations such as communications with SAR forces through geosynchronous satellites. It is recognized that the DAL requirement for Continental United States (CONUS) and Alaska and the maritime regions are not identical. In order to address the serious DAL problem which currently exists on CONUS and Alaska, a low-orbiting satellite system evolves as the most viable and cost effective alternative that satisfies the overall SAR system design requirements. A satellite System designed to meet the needs of the maritime regions could be either low orbiting or geostationary. The conclusions drawn from this report support the recommendation to proceed with the implementation of a SAR orbiting satellite system. (Author)