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INSAT-3A Takes Over Satellite-Aided Search and Rescue Services
June 2, 2003

ISRO's latest satellite in the INSAT series, INSAT-3A, launched on
April 10, 2003, has taken over the Satellite Aided Search and Rescue
services that were being provided by INSAT-2B so far. INSAT-2B, which
was launched in July 1993, has outlived its design life. 

INSAT-3A 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 on
the Western Hemisphere. 

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. 

The ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) operates
two ground stations to receive and process the distress signals
detected by Low Earth Orbit COSPAS-SARSAT spacecraft besides a ground
station capable of receiving and processing distress signals detected
by the GEOSAR transponder of INSAT spacecraft in the geostationary
orbit. The Mission Control Center is located at Bangalore.

The location and other details of the beacon, transmitting the
distress signals, are determined instantaneously and informed to
rescue coordination centres for carrying out search and rescue
operations of the affected ship, aircraft or individuals.

It may be noted that ISRO, as the nodal agency in India for the
COSPAS-SARSAT system, has helped in saving about 1,400 lives in the
last 12 years by providing timely distress alerts. For example, on
August 17, 2002, the Indian Mission Control Center detected a
distress signal from a Cyprus registered motor vessel in the Arabian
Sea and alerted the Indian Cost Guard. All the 22 crew members on
board the vessel were rescued by another vessel. In another incident
on September 23, 2002, all the 18 crew members of a Turkey registered
motor vessel were rescued before the vessel sank in the Bay of
Bengal, thanks to the distress signal detected by the Indian Mission
Control Center and the alert given to Indian Coast Guard.

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