58th Council session of the International COSPAS-SARSAT Program held in Moscow (photo)
The 58th Session of the COSPAS-SARSAT Council (closed meeting) took place from 24th to 26th May 2017 at the President Hotel located in Moscow, Russian Federation.
Morsviazsputnik says four parties of the Cospas-Sarsat International Program: Russian Federation, France, Canada and USA took part in the 58th Session of the COSPAS-SARSAT Council.
The priority items on the agenda of the 58th Session of the COSPAS-SARSAT Council were: the management of the Program; the development of the Low Earth Orbit Search and Rescue Satellite System (LEOSAR); the implementation of the Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue Satellite System (MEOSAR); development of the second generation beacon; and the implementation of the ELT (DT) according to the ICAO requirements.
The Council noted the intention of the Russian Federation to provide a renewal and medium-term operation of the Russian part of the LEOSAR System. The Council also noted the revised launches plan of the Russian spacecrafts «Meteor-M» equipped with Cospas-Sarsat Payloads.
Taking into account a tight schedule of the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) implementation, the Council considered the recommendation of the TG-1/2017 and approved the proposed amendments to the Cospas-Sarsat Technical Standards due to the development of the ELT (DT).
The Council approved a work plan for the upcoming 2018 year and decided to invite European Commission to participate at the Closed Meeting of the 59th Council session as observer taking into account the contribution of the EC into the MEOSAR system.
22 May 2017 on the eve of the 58th Council session there was a second meeting of the Parties Representatives devoted to the modification of the International COSPAS-SARSAT Program Agreement due to the implementation of the MEOSAR. The Parties agreed to continue consultations on this topic.
The Russian Federation provided the Chairmanship at the 58th Council session.
