The performance comparison for low and medium earth orbiting satellite search and rescue services

Abstract

LEOSAR (Low Earth Orbit Search and Rescue) is an international satellite system which operates continuously, detecting transmissions from emergency beacons carried by ships, aircrafts and individuals, providing location information related to worldwide distress events. LEOSAR based on Low Earth Orbits it is still limited on instantaneous alert and coverage. To improve the performance, this system is migrating towards MEOSAR (Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue), restructuring the capability to Medium Earth Orbit satellites. By real time 24-h satellite tracking and the simulation of the Almanac YUMA file using Trimble’s Planning Software, a methodology of comparison is provided. For the MEOSAR system advantages in global coverage and instantaneous alert are evidenced. From the obtained results it is shown the limitation of the LEOSAR capability, but also the efficiency improvement of the search and rescue operations provided by MEOSAR.