New Delhi, June 02: Insat-3A, launched last month, has taken over the satellite-aided search and rescue services that were being provided by Insat-2B so far. Insat-2B, which was launched on July 1993, has outlived its design life.
Insat-3A, launched on April 10 this year, is the only geostationary satellite at present which is providing geostationary orbit satellite aided search and rescue services (Geosar) in this part of the globe, covering Europe to Australia in the Indian Ocean and the Australian regions.
Two American satellites, Goes(W) and Goes(E) provide these services in the western hemisphere, an ISRO release said today.
Satellite aided search and rescue service is provided under the international Cospas-Sarsat system that provides location information of the distress signals transmitted by beacons mounted on board ships, aircraft or those carried by individuals.
The Geosar transponder on Insat-3A complements the low earth orbit Cospas-Sarsat satellites in receiving the distress signal transmission and its detection, it said.
Bureau Report