gr-mcp-docs/reference/cospas-sarsat/r-series/r010.md

---
title: "R010: C/S R.010 - Issue 1 Rev. 8"
description: "Official Cospas-Sarsat R-series document R010"
sidebar:
  badge:
    text: "R"
    variant: "note"
# Extended Cospas-Sarsat metadata
documentId: "R010"
series: "R"
seriesName: "Reports"
documentType: "report"
isLatest: true
issue: 1
revision: 8
documentDate: "October 2009"
originalTitle: "C/S R.010 - Issue 1 Rev. 8"
---

> **📋 Document Information**
>
> **Series:** R-Series (Reports)
> **Version:** Issue 1 - Revision 8
> **Date:** October 2009
> **Source:** [Cospas-Sarsat Official Documents](https://www.cospas-sarsat.int/en/documents-pro/system-documents)

---

COSPAS-SARSAT
PHASE-OUT PLAN FOR 121.5/243 MHz
SATELLITE ALERTING SERVICES
C/S R.010
Issue 1 – Revision 8

Note that the reference to document C/S G.004, “Cospas-Sarsat Glossary” on page D-1 has
been updated to reflect its reclassification as document C/S S.011.

![Image 1 from page 1](/images/cospas-sarsat/R-series/R010/R010_page_1_img_1.png)

COSPAS-SARSAT PHASE-OUT PLAN FOR 121.5/243 MHz
SATELLITE ALERTING SERVICES
REVISION HISTORY
Issue
Revision
Date
Comments


Approved by CSC-25


Approved by CSC-27


Approved by CSC-31


Approved by CSC-33


Approved by CSC-35


Approved by CSC-37


Approved by CSC-39


Approved by CSC-41


Approved by CSC-43

LIST OF PAGES
Page
Date of
latest
revision
Page
Date of
latest
revision
cover


I
II
III
IV
1-1
1-2
1-3
1-4
1-5
1-6
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-6
2-7
2-8
3-1
3-2
3-3
3-4
3-5
3-6
4-1
4-2
4-3
4-4
Oct 09
Oct 09
Oct 09
Oct 01
Oct 06
Oct 09
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 09
Oct 06
Oct 06
Oct 06
Oct 06
Oct 06
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 01
Oct 01
Oct 01
Oct 01
Oct 01
Oct 01
Oct 00
Oct 01
Oct 00
Oct 01
5-1
5-2
5-3
5-4
5-5
5-6
6-1
6-2
7-1
7-2
8-1
8-2
A-1
A-2
B-1
B-2
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
C-5
C-6
C-7
C-8
C-9
C-10
C-11
C-12
D-1
D-2
D-3
D-4
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 01
Oct 06
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 00
Oct 09
Oct 06
Oct 09
Oct 09
Oct 09
Oct 09
Oct 09
Oct 09
Oct 09
Oct 09
Oct 09
Oct 06
Oct 06
Oct 06
Oct 09
Oct 09
Oct 09
Oct 09

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Revision History

List of Pages

Table of Contents

List of Annexes

List of Figures

Executive Summary
I
1.
Introduction  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1-1
1.1
Purpose  ............................................................................................................... 1-2
1.2
Scope
............................................................................................................... 1-2
1.3
Background .......................................................................................................... 1-2
2.
Strategy for Termination of 121.5 MHz Satellite Services ---------------------------- 2-1
2.1
Firm Termination Date Strategy .......................................................................... 2-1
2.2
Gradual Phase-Out Strategy ................................................................................. 2-1
2.3
Discussion of Firm Termination Date and Gradual Phase-Out Strategies ........... 2-3
2.4
Minimum Level of Service Strategy .................................................................... 2-4
3.
Space Segment Issues ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-1
3.1
Projected Availability of 121.5 MHz Repeaters .................................................. 3-1
3.2
Future Satellite Design ......................................................................................... 3-2
3.3
Management of 406 MHz Satellite Processing Capacity ..................................... 3-4
4.
Ground Segment Issues ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4-1
4.1
Revised LEOLUT Requirements ......................................................................... 4-1
4.2
Availability of 121.5/243 MHz Local Mode Coverage to Termination Date ...... 4-2
4.3
406 MHz Ground Segment Capacity Requirements ............................................ 4-3
5.
406 MHz Beacon Issues ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5-1
5.1
Forecast of 406 MHz Beacon Population and Beacon Message Traffic ............. 5-1
5.2
406 MHz Beacon Specification Updates ............................................................. 5-2
5.3
Impact on 406 MHz Registration Databases ........................................................ 5-2
5.4
Availability of 406 MHz Beacons and Beacon Installation Capacity ................. 5-4

6.
Operational Issues ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-1
6.1
406 MHz Processing Anomalies .......................................................................... 6-1
6.2
406 MHz False Alerts .......................................................................................... 6-2
6.3
Alert Data Distribution Procedures ...................................................................... 6-2
7.
Co-ordination of Phase-Out Activities ---------------------------------------------------- 7-1
7.1
Internal Co-ordination of Activities Regarding the 121.5 MHz Satellite
Services Phase-Out .............................................................................................. 7-1
7.2
External Co-ordination Regarding the 121.5 MHz Satellite
Services Phase-Out .............................................................................................. 7-2
8.
National Regulatory Matters ---------------------------------------------------------------- 8-1
8.1
Legal and Regulatory Aspects ............................................................................. 8-1
8.2
Policy and Educational Aspects ........................................................................... 8-1
8.3
Recommendation ................................................................................................. 8-2
LIST OF ANNEXES:
Annex A : List of Acronyms
A-1
Annex B : 121.5 MHz Satellite Processing Availability
B-1
Annex C : List of Actions and Recommendations
C-1
Annex D : List and Status of System Document Updates
D-1
LIST OF FIGURES:
Figure 2.1 Firm Termination Date Strategy
2-2
Figure 2.2 Gradual Phase-Out Strategy
2-2
Figure 2.3 Time-Line of Minimum Level of Service Strategy for 121.5 MHz
Satellite Alerting Phase-Out
2-7
Figure B.1 Chart of 121.5 MHz Satellite Processing Availability
B-1

COSPAS-SARSAT PHASE-OUT PLAN
FOR 121.5/243 MHz SATELLITE ALERTING SERVICES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NOTE: Cospas-Sarsat ceased satellite processing at 121.5/243 MHz on 1 February 2009.
This does not affect the use of these frequencies for homing devices in Cospas-Sarsat
406 MHz beacons.
BACKGROUND AND SCOPE OF THE PHASE-OUT PLAN
The Cospas-Sarsat System established pursuant to the International Cospas-Sarsat
Programme Agreement, comprises several sub-systems which provide for the processing of
two types of distress beacons:
-
406  MHz beacons specifically designed for use with the Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz
system, including the low-altitude Earth orbiting satellites of the LEOSAR system and
the geostationary Earth-orbiting satellites of the GEOSAR system; and
-
121.5 MHz beacons which are suitable for use with the LEOSAR system only.
Sarsat LEOSAR satellites are also capable of processing signals from 243 MHz beacons in
the same manner as 121.5 MHz distress beacons.  The following discussion of the Phase-Out
Plan for satellite processing of 121.5 MHz beacons also applies to 243 MHz beacons.
Because of the limitation of the 121.5 MHz beacon signal characteristics, there are specific
limitations to the 121.5 MHz system performance.  In particular, there are numerous false
(non-distress) alerts generated by the 121.5 MHz system, which cannot be easily eliminated.
This situation led to a request by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that Cospas-
Sarsat consider establishing a termination date for the satellite processing of 121.5 MHz
signals, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has agreed that 121.5 MHz
satellite processing could be terminated by Cospas-Sarsat from 2008.
The Phase-Out Plan reviews each component of the Cospas-Sarsat System affected by the
decision to phase-out 121.5 MHz satellite alerting services, and a programme of actions for
Cospas-Sarsat or recommendations to responsible Administrations and international
organizations is provided to allow for the co-ordination of individual actions by Cospas-
Sarsat Participants, the review of progress achieved, and the control of phase-out activities.
The status of actions and recommendations, and the projected availability of 121.5 MHz
satellite processing instruments in orbit, are summarised in the Annexes to the Phase-Out
Plan, which will be updated by the Cospas-Sarsat Council on an annual basis to track
progress made in the preparation for phasing-out 121.5 MHz satellite alerting services prior
to the planned termination date of 1 February 2009.

R10OCT19.00.doc

STRATEGY FOR TERMINATION OF 121.5 MHz SATELLITE SERVICES
Three basic strategies were considered for phasing-out 121.5 MHz satellite services:
-
a firm termination date after which 121.5 MHz satellite capabilities would be
switched off;
-
a gradual phase-out over a period of time, until the last available satellite with
121.5 MHz capabilities is decommissioned; and
-
a minimum level of service strategy, whereby the 121.5 MHz satellite instruments
available in orbit are switched off when the minimum level of service required to
contribute to efficient SAR operations cannot be maintained.
Although the firm termination date strategy had numerous advantages and received strong
support from the majority of Cospas-Sarsat Participants, no agreement could be reached on a
firm termination date due to the difficulty to forecast accurately many years in advance the
availability of 121.5 MHz space segment capabilities and the availability of a low cost
alternative to 121.5 MHz beacons.
Therefore, the Cospas-Sarsat Council decided to adopt a minimum level of service strategy
with the planned termination date of 1 February 2009.  The Council also decided that a
review of space segment availability and preparations for the phase-out would take place
annually. However, the Council also emphasised the need for Administrations and
international organizations to prepare for the phase-out on the basis of the planned
termination date, i.e., 1 February 2009.
SPACE AND GROUND SEGMENT ISSUES
In respect of the space segment of the LEOSAR system, Cospas-Sarsat determined that the
121.5 MHz instruments on LEOSAR satellites could be disabled at the planned termination
date without affecting Cospas-Sarsat or other satellite operations.  In addition, the elimination
of 121.5 MHz instruments in future satellites would allow a redesign of the SAR payload and
provide savings in terms of weight, power, thermal control and space requirements, and
reduce platform and payload complexity.
Cospas-Sarsat also acknowledged that the termination of 121.5 MHz satellite services would
accelerate the transition to 406 MHz beacons.  Therefore, actions should be taken to:
-
re-assess the actual capacity of the 406 MHz GEOSAR and LEOSAR systems and
develop appropriate mathematical models of the capacity of each system;
-
develop procedures for periodically monitoring the GEOSAR and LEOSAR systems’
capacity;
-
move the carrier frequency of orbitography and test beacons to 406.022 MHz;
-
determine the optimum method for spreading beacon carrier frequencies to ensure
adequate GEOSAR and LEOSAR capacity; and
-
develop a plan for managing the use of the 406.0 - 406.1 MHz frequency band.

R10OCT19.00.doc

The elimination of 121.5 MHz processing will also allow a simplification of the LEOLUT
design.  However, Cospas-Sarsat agreed that 121.5 MHz processing capabilities of the
Ground Segment should be maintained until the actual phase-out of 121.5 MHz satellite
services.  Appropriate revised procedures should be developed as required to ensure that an
adequate distribution of 121.5 MHz alert data to Cospas-Sarsat MCCs is maintained until the
phase-out date.  In addition, the Phase-Out Plan identifies several actions to deal with the
forecast increase of 406 MHz alert message traffic in the Ground Segment.
406 MHz BEACON ISSUES
Over 600,000 beacons operating on 121.5 MHz will need to be replaced either by 406 MHz
beacons or other means of distress alerting, prior to the termination of 121.5 MHz satellite
services.  This will undoubtedly lead to a significant growth of the 406 MHz beacon
population, which raises several issues, including the need to spread the beacon carrier
frequencies in the 406.0 - 406.1 MHz band, as mentioned above.  As a prerequisite to the
efficient management of the use of the frequency band, a model of the beacon population
growth must be developed, and the existing model of the 406 MHz beacon message traffic
must be validated.
The spreading of frequencies in the band also requires an amendment to the Cospas-Sarsat
406 MHz beacon specification (C/S T.001), which only addresses the frequencies 406.025
and 406.028 MHz, and to the Cospas-Sarsat type approval standard (C/S T.007).  Other
international organizations’ specification for 406 MHz beacons will also need to be updated
(e.g. IMO performance requirements, ICAO Annex 10 and ITU Recommendation M.633).
121.5 MHz beacons are attractive to many users because of their very low cost.  The
termination of 121.5 MHz satellite services raises the issue of an alternative to these low cost
beacons.  406 MHz beacons provide for greatly improved performance, but their cost,
although steadily decreasing, is clearly higher.  This situation raises two potential problems:
-
121.5 MHz beacon users may decide not to replace their 121.5 MHz beacon; or
-
users may delay the replacement with 406 MHz beacons until the last moment and
could be faced with a shortage of equipment.
In both cases these users would be denied the service currently available.  Administrations
should note these potential problems and consider mandating the transition to 406 MHz
beacons well in advance of the termination date.  Additionally, Administrations may wish to
review their existing operational requirements with the objective of reducing their impact on
the cost of 406 MHz beacons intended as replacement of the cheaper 121.5 MHz models.  In
parallel, Cospas-Sarsat should determine whether new beacon designs, modifications to the
existing specification, or new technologies could significantly lower the cost of 406 MHz
beacons.

R10OCT19.00.doc

OPERATIONAL ISSUES
To prepare for the forecast increase of the 406 MHz beacon population, and the
corresponding increase of the number of 406 MHz alerts, Cospas-Sarsat decided on several
actions aimed at enhancing 406 MHz alert processing in the Cospas-Sarsat System,
specifically with a view to:
-
reducing wherever possible the number and impact of processing anomalies;
-
reducing the number of false alerts; and
-
ensuring adequate 406 MHz alert data distribution to MCCs and SPOCs world-wide, in
the context of a vastly increased number of 406 MHz distress alerts.
CO-ORDINATION OF PHASE-OUT ACTIVITIES
The preparation for the phase-out of 121.5 MHz satellite services includes a large number of
inter-related activities, which require specific internal co-ordination within Cospas-Sarsat,
and external co-ordination with a number of Administrations and organizations, including
user organizations and the manufacturers of Cospas-Sarsat equipment.
The Cospas-Sarsat Phase-Out Plan for 121.5 MHz Satellite Alerting Services is the main
vehicle for the internal co-ordination of Cospas-Sarsat activities.  External co-ordination will
involve, inter-alia:
-
publicising periodic statements on the status of the Cospas-Sarsat System and the
progress of preparation for the phase-out of 121.5 MHz satellite services; and
-
promoting the advantages of the 406 MHz system and encouraging an early transition
to 406 MHz beacons.
Administrations may also wish to develop information campaigns and ensure that all
appropriate users, regulatory bodies and manufacturing concerns are kept informed of the
progress of the phase-out.
NATIONAL REGULATORY MATTERS
Changes to national requirements for the carriage of emergency beacons will probably be
necessary as a consequence of the phase-out of 121.5 MHz satellite services.  This may
require co-ordination at national level amongst regulatory bodies to ensure that adequate
legislation/regulations are in place, and to minimise the impact to beacon manufacturers and
owners.  Administrations should also ensure the availability of appropriate registration
databases and efficient registration procedures.  Finally, the development of adequate policies
and specific education programmes may be required to assist users with the transition.
If necessary, Administrations may wish to consider developing their own national plan for
the transition from 121.5 MHz to 406 MHz beacons, to ensure that all aspects of the
transition and the time-line for the preparation are properly addressed.

1 - 1

1.
INTRODUCTION
NOTE: Cospas-Sarsat ceased satellite processing at 121.5/243 MHz on 1 February 2009.
This does not affect the use of these frequencies for homing devices in Cospas-Sarsat
406 MHz beacons.
The Cospas-Sarsat System established pursuant to the International Cospas-Sarsat
Programme Agreement signed on 1 July 1988, comprises several sub-systems which provide
for the processing of two types of distress beacons:
-
406 MHz beacons specifically designed for use with the Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz
satellite system, including both low-altitude Earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites for search
and rescue (SAR), referred to as the LEOSAR system, and geostationary Earth-orbiting
(GEO) satellites for search and rescue, referred to as the GEOSAR system.
-
121.5 MHz beacons which are suitable for use with Cospas-Sarsat LEOSAR satellites
only.  Some 121.5 MHz beacons also transmit an additional signal at 243 MHz which
can be relayed by Sarsat satellites (but not Cospas satellites) for processing at a ground
receiving station.  121.5/243 MHz beacons are not compatible with the Cospas-Sarsat
GEOSAR system which operates at 406 MHz only.
Most 121.5 MHz beacons are Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) carried on-board
aircraft.  These ELTs were initially designed for detection by overflying aircraft and were
used in large numbers prior to the introduction of the Cospas-Sarsat LEOSAR system.  Many
121.5 MHz beacons are also carried on fishing vessels or pleasure craft as Emergency
Position Indicating Radio-Beacons (EPIRBs).  When it was introduced in 1982, the Cospas-
Sarsat System considerably improved the efficiency of existing 121.5 MHz beacons by
providing a capability to automatically alert SAR services and determine the location of the
distress beacon using Doppler positioning techniques.
However, because of the technology of 121.5 MHz beacons, in particular the radio signal
characteristics, there are specific limitations to the 121.5 MHz system.  The LEOLUT
processing cannot differentiate between actual 121.5 MHz beacon transmissions and
interference.  Consequently, the Cospas-Sarsat 121.5 MHz system generates a large number
of false (non-distress) alerts which cannot be easily eliminated and, therefore, add to the
workload of SAR services.
406 MHz beacons provide improved performance in terms of alerting and position
determination accuracy.  In particular, the identification of the transmitting 406 MHz beacon,
obtained from the encoding of their digital message, provides SAR forces with a means of
retrieving additional data on the vessel or aircraft in distress and may facilitate the resolution
of false alerts without despatching SAR resources.
As a result of the 121.5 MHz system limitations, and because of the availability of the newer
406 MHz beacons with better performance, the International Maritime Organization (IMO)

R010OCT19.06
1 - 2

and a number of national Administrations responsible for search and rescue have requested
Cospas-Sarsat to consider phasing-out the satellite processing of 121.5 MHz beacons.  The
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) also agreed that 121.5 MHz satellite
processing services could be terminated from 2008.

R010OCT19.06
1 - 3

1.1
Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance, define the tasks to be accomplished by
Cospas-Sarsat Participants, and highlight recommendations to responsible Administrations,
with the aim to assist in the timely preparation for the phasing-out of 121.5/243 MHz satellite
processing.
In the remainder of this Phase-Out Plan, references to 121.5 MHz phasing-out also apply to
243 MHz phasing-out, as appropriate (see section 3.2).
1.2
Scope
On the basis of the work initiated at the Cospas-Sarsat Task Group Meeting held from 15 to
19 March 1999 in Hampton, Virginia (TG-1/99), the subsequent work at JC-13 (16 - 23 June
1999) and the TG-3/2000 Meeting held in Canberra, Australia from 13 to 15 March 2000,
this document describes the technical, operational, legal, regulatory and educational aspects
of the issues which pertain to the phasing-out of 121.5 MHz satellite services.
Each component of the Cospas-Sarsat System affected by the decision to phase-out the
121.5 MHz alerting service is reviewed.  A programme of actions for Cospas-Sarsat, or
recommendations to responsible Administrations and international organizations, is provided
to allow for the co-ordination of individual actions by Cospas-Sarsat Participants, the review
of progress achieved, and the control of phase-out activities by the Cospas-Sarsat Council.
This document will be updated as necessary during the transition period towards the phasing-
out of 121.5 MHz services, to reflect the status of preparations by Cospas-Sarsat.
1.3
Background
1.3.1
Cospas-Sarsat System Status and Operation
As of October 2000, the Cospas-Sarsat System comprised:
- 8 LEOSAR satellites, in polar, low-altitude orbit, all equipped with a 121.5 MHz
repeater capability.  In addition, amongst these 8 satellites, 4 Sarsat satellites also
provided a 243 MHz repeater capability.  The forecast evolution of the LEOSAR
space segment is described at section 3 and shown in Figure B.1.
- 37 ground receiving stations in the LEOSAR system (called local user terminals or
LEOLUTs), which processed 121.5 MHz beacon signals relayed on the downlink
frequency (1544.5 MHz) for determining the Doppler location of the transmitting
beacons.  32 of these LEOLUTs also processed 243 MHz beacon transmissions.  All
Cospas-Sarsat LEOLUTs process 406 MHz distress transmissions, using the
LEOSAR satellites’ search and rescue processor (SARP) capability and, for some
LEOLUTs, the Sarsat satellites 406 MHz repeater (SARR) capability.

R010OCT19.06
1 - 4

- 3 GEOSAR satellites in geostationary orbit and 7 receiving stations (GEOLUTs)
providing distress alerts from 406 MHz beacon transmissions relayed by the
GEOSAR satellites.
- 22 Mission Control Centres (MCCs) receiving distress alert data from LEOLUTs
and GEOLUTs for distribution to SAR services in accordance with the Cospas-
Sarsat Data Distribution Plan (document C/S A.001).
- Over 220,000 EPIRBs, ELTs or PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) operating on
406 MHz, which, for most of them, also include a 121.5 MHz homing transmitter.
- Over 600,000 ELTs, EPIRBs or PLBs operating on 121.5 and/or 243 MHz.
From January to December 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat System provided assistance in
rescuing 1,227 persons in 340 SAR events.  The 406 MHz system was used in 180 of
these events, contributing to the rescue of 882 persons, while the 121.5 MHz system
was used in the other 160 SAR events contributing to the rescue of 345 persons.
Although the 121.5 MHz satellite processing has proved extremely valuable in assisting
SAR services when ships and aircraft in distress were equipped with 121.5 MHz
beacons, it is unfortunately the source of a considerable number of false alerts which
result in heavy workload for rescue co-ordination centre (RCC) personnel.  121.5 MHz
false alerts also affect the efficiency of SAR services as resources could be diverted
instead of being made available for the processing of genuine SAR incidents.  From
statistics collected by Administrations, on average, only one in one thousand
121.5 MHz Doppler locations provided by the Cospas-Sarsat system corresponds to a
real distress case.  This situation has lead some SAR authorities to defer responding to
121.5 MHz alerts until some other information is received confirming the reality of the
distress case.
Whilst 406 MHz beacons are also a source of false alerts, although in substantially
lesser numbers than the 121.5 MHz system, their processing by RCCs is facilitated,
when the beacon is properly registered, by the unique identity code included in the alert
message of the transmitting beacon.  This feature allows RCCs, in many cases, to
retrieve additional information and verify the nature of a 406 MHz alert prior to
committing SAR resources.  Specifications of the 406 MHz signal characteristics and
the packaging and installation requirements of 406 MHz beacons are also far more
stringent than for most 121.5 MHz equipment.  This results in 406 MHz beacons being
more reliable, and more expensive, than 121.5 MHz beacons.
1.3.2
Decisions / Recommendations from International Organizations
1.3.2.1 International Maritime Organization (IMO)
121.5 MHz EPIRBs are not accepted by IMO as satellite-EPIRBs for the ship to shore
alerting function of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
406 MHz EPIRBs have been accepted by IMO for this function and a number of

R010OCT19.06
1 - 5

Resolutions have been adopted by the IMO Assembly in respect of their performance
characteristics, coding and registration.
Because of the high level of false alerts and the resulting additional workload on rescue
co-ordination centres, the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its 70th Session
in December 1998 agreed with the statement of the Third Meeting of the IMO
Sub-Committee on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue (COMSAR 3) that
the satellite processing of 121.5 MHz distress alerts should be phased-out, and a plan
for such phasing-out should be developed by Cospas-Sarsat giving the approximate
period of time needed.
1.3.2.2 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
The ICAO Air Navigation Commission, in December 1998, agreed to proposed
amendments to the ICAO Convention Annexes 6 and 10, to mandate the carriage of
ELTs operating on both 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz by new aircraft from 1 January 2002,
and by all aircraft from 1 January 2005.
In March 1999 the ICAO Council adopted the amendments to Annexes 6 and 10 to the
Convention, and agreed that the satellite processing of 121.5 MHz emissions could be
terminated from 2008.
However, it should also be noted that the ICAO Convention provisions only apply to
aircraft operating under the jurisdiction of the ICAO Convention.  Aircraft operated
strictly inside national airspace are subject only to national regulations which may, or
may not, follow ICAO’s provisions.
1.3.3
Cospas-Sarsat Council Policy and Decisions in Respect of 121.5 MHz
The Cospas-Sarsat policy statement agreed at the 19th Session of the Cospas-Sarsat
Council in October 1997 underlines that, “in accordance with the terms of the
International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement, the basic Cospas-Sarsat policy is
to continue providing 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz satellite services as long as such
services contribute to efficient search and rescue operations”.  In addition, the Cospas-
Sarsat policy statement declares that “the Parties will take into account the views of
ICAO, IMO and States concerned, as appropriate”.
At its 21st Session in October 1998, the Cospas-Sarsat Council noted the views of IMO
reported above and decided to establish a task group of experts on practical aspects of
phasing-out 121.5/243 MHz satellite services (TG-1/99).  The TG-1/99 Report was
reviewed by the Cospas-Sarsat Joint Committee in June 1999 and the draft Issue 1 of
the “Cospas-Sarsat Phase-out Plan for 121.5/243 MHz Satellite Alerting Services” was
submitted for consideration by the Cospas-Sarsat Council at its October 1999 session
(CSC-23).

R010OCT19.06
1 - 6

1.3.3.1 At its 23rd Session, the Cospas-Sarsat Council decided:
a) that, in response to the guidance from IMO and ICAO and the views expressed
by Cospas-Sarsat Participants, the satellite processing of 121.5/243 MHz alerts
would eventually be phased-out from the Cospas-Sarsat System […];
b) that the 121.5/243 MHz SARR payloads would not be carried on board future
Sarsat satellites, starting with the USA NPOESS satellite and the EUMETSAT
METOP-3 satellite, and the 121.5 MHz SARR payload would not be carried
on board future Cospas satellites, starting from Cospas-13; and
c) to convene in 2000 a group of experts (TG-3/2000) with the goal of revising
the draft Phase-Out Plan to reflect the above decisions and [..] submitting the
final draft of the Plan to CSC-25 for approval.
1.3.3.2 At its 25th Session, the Cospas-Sarsat Council decided:
a) to approve Issue 1 of the document C/S R.010 “Cospas-Sarsat Phase-Out Plan
for 121.5/243 MHz Satellite Alerting Services”;
b) to plan and prepare for the termination of 121.5/243 MHz satellite alerting
services on 1 February 2009;
c) to review annually at the Open Meeting of the Council the status of
preparation by Participants for the phasing-out of 121.5/243 MHz satellite
alerting services; and
d) to invite Administrations and international organizations to note the planned
phase-out date of 1 February 2009 and the recommendations listed at Annex C
to this document in view of their preparation for the phase-out of
121.5/243 MHz satellite alerting services.
Note:
The phasing-out of 121.5/243 MHz satellite processing will not affect the use of
these frequencies for homing devices in the Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz beacons.

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2.
STRATEGY FOR TERMINATION OF 121.5 MHz SATELLITE SERVICES
Three basic strategies were considered for phasing-out 121.5 MHz satellite services:
-
a firm termination date, set by the Cospas-Sarsat Council to provide sufficient time for
all necessary preparations, after which 121.5 MHz satellite service capabilities would
be switched off;
-
a gradual phase-out over a period of time, until the last available satellite with a
121.5 MHz capability is decommissioned; and
-
a minimum level of service strategy, whereby a given date is selected by the Cospas-
Sarsat Council when the level of service is expected to no longer contribute to efficient
SAR operations and the remaining payloads are switched-off.
The three strategies are reviewed and the choice of the selected Minimum Level of Service
Strategy is explained in the following sections.
2.1
Firm Termination Date Strategy
The stages of a firm termination date (FTD) strategy, illustrated in Figure 2.1, are as
follows:
- The Cospas-Sarsat Council decides that 121.5 MHz satellite processing will be
terminated at a predetermined date (i.e. the Firm Termination Date).  This
announcement initiates a transition period, i.e. the period of time between the
announcement and FTD.
- Up to the FTD, 121.5 MHz satellite alerting is provided in accordance with the
commitments of the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement (ICSPA).
- At FTD the remaining 121.5 MHz SARR instruments on the available satellites are
disabled.
2.2
Gradual Phase-Out Strategy
The various stages of a gradual phase-out strategy are illustrated in Figure 2.2 and
described below:
- The Council decides that 121.5 MHz satellite processing will eventually be
terminated, although no firm termination date is set at this stage.  This
announcement initiates a transition phase, i.e. the period of time between the
announcement and the termination of the satellite alerting service.

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Figure 2.1:  Firm Termination Date Strategy
Figure 2.2:  Gradual Phase-Out Strategy
Council decides
121.5 MHz satellite
processing will be
gradually phased out
121.5 MHz satellite processing is provided in accordance with the commitments
of the ICSPA.
121.5 MHz satellite processing is no longer available.
121.5 MHz satellite processing continues subject to availability.  After BPO the
121.5 MHz alerting service may not be at the level of the ICSPA commitments.
Time
Beginning of Phase-Out
(BPO) date
Termination date: decommissioning
of last payload
Transition Phase
Phase-out Period
Time
Council decides
121.5 MHz satellite
processing will be
terminated
Firm Termination Date
(FTD)
121.5 MHz satellite processing is provided in accordance with the
commitments of the ICSPA.
121.5 MHz satellite processing has been switched off and is no longer
available.
Transition
Phase

![Image 1 from page 17](/images/cospas-sarsat/R-series/R010/R010_page_17_img_1.png)

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- The Council also specifies a “beginning of phase-out” (BPO) date.  Until BPO,
121.5 MHz satellite processing is provided in accordance with the commitments of
the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement (ICSPA).  After BPO,
121.5 MHz satellite alerting services are continued subject to availability, i.e. these
services may not be at the level of the ICSPA commitments.  The BPO date initiates
the phase-out period.
2.3
Discussion of the Firm Termination Date and Gradual Phase-Out Strategies
2.3.1
Advantages of the Firm Termination Date Strategy
The advantages of the firm termination date strategy are as follows:
a)  From a SAR services’ perspective, a firm termination date for end-of-service would:
- respond more accurately to inputs provided by international organizations;
- provide better confidence in the capability of the 121.5 MHz system up to the
termination date;
- ease the burden on RCCs in responding to 121.5 MHz false alerts at an earlier
date than a gradual phase-out would allow;
- force users to take the termination of 121.5 MHz satellite alerting services
seriously and encourage a quicker transition to the more capable 406 MHz
beacons, therefore, users would benefit if required to transition to a better alerting
system; and
- allow a more efficient use of SAR forces by providing for quicker resolution of
false alerts through the use of 406 MHz beacon identification and registration
information.
b) From the point of view of the satellite service providers (i.e. the Cospas-Sarsat Space
Segment Providers and Ground Segment Providers/Operators), the firm termination
date would:
- ease the planning and management of the transition by Cospas-Sarsat Participants
and Administrations, as it could be implemented globally (at satellite level)
providing standard implementation, and would allow clear guidance to be
provided to user Administrations (i.e. SPOCs, RCCs, registration offices,
regulatory authorities);
- not be dependent upon satellite availability (full Space Segment availability is
maintained until FTD);
- minimise potential legal responsibility concerns of Ground Segment Providers;

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- facilitate communications with users/Administrations and simplify the
explanation of System operational capabilities in cases of inquiries or
investigations; and
- lead to less costly operation for Cospas-Sarsat Participants (i.e. simplified
LEOLUTs and data distribution procedures).
c) From the beacon owners’ point of view, the firm termination date would encourage
mass production of 406 MHz beacons which should lead to an earlier decrease of
their price and facilitate the transition.
2.3.2
Operational Impact of the Gradual Phase-Out Strategy
The gradual phase-out strategy makes use of all available hardware and clearly allows
an extension of the transition period at minimum cost to the System providers.  This is
the only clear advantage of the gradual phase-out.  However, the gradual phase-out
concept complicates the management of the transition and may discourage a timely
preparation by users and Administrations.
In particular, the gradual phase-out strategy implies accepting a further degradation of
the 121.5 MHz satellite alerting service provided to SAR during the phase-out period
(i.e. after the beginning of phase-out (BPO) date), when the decreasing number of
available satellites would result in longer waiting times for 121.5 MHz beacon
detections, additional delay for resolving the Doppler location ambiguity, or failure to
detect short duration transmissions.  In addition, some Ground Segment Providers may
take the view that, after BPO, there is no strong requirement for maintaining the
121.5 MHz processing capability in their LEOLUTs.  A diminishing coverage and
further increase of the waiting time would also result from reduced 121.5 MHz alert
processing capabilities in the Ground Segment.
Therefore, in a gradual phase-out strategy, a special mechanism would be required for
monitoring/publicising the up-to-date space and ground segment status and the
availability of the service provided during the phase-out period.
2.4
Minimum Level of Service Strategy
The gradual phase-out strategy allows maximum flexibility in deciding when the
121.5 MHz satellite alerting service would be actually terminated.  However, this
approach also entails a number of consequences in respect of the management of the
satellite system during the phase-out period, as well as for the preparation which should
be made by Administrations and users.  In particular, it ignores an essential requirement
of Administrations in respect of a minimum advance notice before actually terminating
the 121.5 MHz satellite alerting service.
Based on the above considerations, the firm termination date strategy would definitely
appear as the preferred choice for Cospas-Sarsat Participants, as well as
Administrations and users.  However, it presents the significant difficulty that the final
termination date needs to be agreed with a very long advance notice (i.e. between 8 to
10 years).  The long advance notice is a definite advantage from the point of view of

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regulatory Administrations, but may not be practical for the reliable forecast of space
segment availability which must form the basis of a decision in respect of the
termination date.  Therefore, a strategy has been developed which:
- builds upon the planned level of service available in future, based on the decision
already made to launch future satellites without the 121.5 MHz search and rescue
repeater;
- takes into consideration the minimum level of service acceptable to SAR services;
and
- defines a planned termination date when the remaining payloads in orbit would be
disabled.
In the context of the minimum level of service strategy, the driving factor for
determining the termination date of the 121.5 MHz satellite alerting service is the level
of service which can be guaranteed by Cospas-Sarsat and remains acceptable to SAR
services.  The level of service provided by Cospas-Sarsat can be characterised by:
- the 121.5 MHz system coverage; and
- the average waiting times for obtaining the first alert and its confirmation by a
second satellite pass for ambiguity resolution.
The impact of the Ground Segment availability (i.e. LEOLUTs capable of processing
121.5 MHz beacon transmissions) and Space Segment availability on these two aspects
of the 121.5 MHz system performance is analysed below.
2.4.1
Ground Segment Availability
System coverage and waiting times are both dependent on Ground Segment
capabilities.  There is currently significant redundancy in the Ground Segment
121.5 MHz processing capability in some areas of the world, while other areas are not
covered.  The termination of 121.5 MHz processing by some LUTs in Europe would
not significantly affect the availability of the service because of the existing
redundancy.  The impact of the termination of 121.5 MHz processing by some LUTs in
the Americas, in Africa or in Asia would be much more significant.
Therefore, a simple, reliable prediction in respect of a reduction of the availability of
121.5 MHz processing in the Ground Segment cannot be made on a global basis.  For
the above reasons, although the actual availability of 121.5 MHz processing in the
Ground Segment should be monitored and reported to users and Administration, such
availability cannot be easily forecast with sufficient advance notice, and used as a
reliable criteria for deciding on the termination date of the 121.5 MHz satellite service.

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2.4.2
Space Segment Availability
The availability of 121.5 MHz instruments in orbit has a direct and global impact on
one aspect of the 121.5 MHz satellite alerting service: the waiting times for obtaining
the first alert and its confirmation by a second satellite pass for ambiguity resolution.
The International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement (ICSPA) calls for a minimum
of four satellites in operation under nominal conditions which defines the performance
expected from the 121.5 MHz system in terms of waiting times.  This assumes an
adequate Ground Segment is available to ensure the appropriate coverage.
With four satellites in operation, the 121.5 MHz system waiting time for the first alert
can exceed one hour at mid-latitudes and several hours at the equator.  The
confirmation of the 121.5 MHz beacon location is received on average 90 minutes after
the first alert, but can take many hours.  These waiting times are also highly dependent
on the distance of the beacon to the LEOLUT.
With fewer than four operational satellites, the average waiting times increase
significantly, and occasionally reach unacceptable levels which would raise concerns
from Administrations as well as users.
The calculation of the projected availability of satellites with 121.5 MHz instruments is
detailed in section 3.1.3 and at Annex B to this Phase-out Plan.  According to this
projection, the number of available satellites would permanently fall below the nominal
four satellite constellation by 2009.
2.4.3
Timeline of the Minimum Level of Service Strategy for 121.5 MHz
Satellite Alerting Phase-Out
In view of the above determination, the date 1 February 2009 has been selected as the
planned termination date for 121.5 MHz satellite alerting service, as illustrated in
Figure 2.3.  This date should be used by Cospas-Sarsat Participants, Administrations
and users to prepare for the termination of this satellite service.

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Figure 2.3:  Time-Line of the Minimum Level of Service Strategy for
121.5 MHz Satellite Alerting Phase-Out
1999: Council decides future
satellites would not carry
121.5 MHz SARR
2009: Planned
Termination Date
2000: Council approves the
Phase-Out Plan
Time
Transition Phase
1999 to 2009:  121.5 MHz satellite processing is provided
From  2009:  121.5 MHz satellite processing is no longer available

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3.
SPACE SEGMENT ISSUES
In respect of the management of the Cospas-Sarsat Space Segment, three issues need to be
addressed in view of the termination of 121.5 MHz satellites services:
a)
the availability of 121.5 MHz repeaters;
b)
the impact of the 121.5 MHz service termination on the design of future satellites and
SAR payloads; and
c)
the impact on the LEOSAR and GEOSAR systems capacity requirements of an
increase in the number of 406 MHz beacons which will probably result from the
elimination of 121.5 MHz satellite processing.
3.1
Projected Availability of 121.5 MHz Repeaters
A number of Cospas and Sarsat satellites with 121.5 MHz instruments will probably be on
orbit up to and after 2009 (see Annex B).
In respect of Cospas satellites, it is anticipated that all satellites up to and including
Cospas-12 will carry 121.5 MHz instruments.  Assuming an average operational life of 5
years, and that the launch date for Cospas-12 will be 2005, the Cospas 121.5 MHz capability
could remain available until 2010.
In respect of Sarsat satellites, the 121.5 MHz capability will be provided for up to and
including Sarsat 12 (to be launched on NOAA N’) and Sarsat-13 (to be launched on
METOP-2).  Assuming the proposed launch schedule presented at Annex B and the design
life of three years for NOAA satellites and five years for METOP satellites, the potential
exists for the instruments to be operational until 2013.
3.1.1
Technical Aspects
In light of existing obligations, it is not practical to modify the design of the satellite
payloads to remove the 121.5 MHz capability until Sarsat-14 and Cospas-13.
Therefore, a number of 121.5 MHz instruments will still be in orbit after the planned
termination date of 1 February 2009.  Their number will progressively decline until the
satellites are decommissioned.
A technical analysis is required to ensure that the disabling of the 121.5 MHz payloads
would not cause any adverse effects on the spacecraft or the other satellite instruments
and the remaining functions of the SAR payload.
Action Item 3.1: Russia, Canada and the USA, conducted an analysis to determine
whether 121.5 MHz instruments could be disabled without adversely affecting Cospas-
Sarsat or other satellite operations.  The results of this technical analysis confirming
the feasibility of turning off 121.5 MHz instruments without affecting Cospas-Sarsat or

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other satellite operations were adopted by the CSC-23 Session of the Council in
October 1999.
3.1.2
Chart of 121.5 MHz Satellite Processing Availability
Although it is expected that Cospas-Sarsat will be able to provide a minimum level of
service until 2009, the availability of the 121.5 MHz satellite alerting service needs to
be reviewed periodically so that users and Administrations are kept informed of the
operational status of the Space Segment.
Action Item 3.2: The Cospas-Sarsat Secretariat should maintain and update as
necessary the chart provided at Annex B indicating the expected launch dates and
possible period of operation for all satellites with the 121.5 MHz SARR.  This chart
should be updated on an ongoing basis and periodically reviewed by the Cospas-Sarsat
Council for inclusion of any revisions in the Phase-Out Plan.
3.2. Future Satellite Design
Cospas and Sarsat satellites will not include a 121.5 MHz capability starting with Cospas-13
and Sarsat-14, respectively.
This decision allows a redesign of the SAR payloads which offers potential benefits in terms
of payload performance, reliability, redundancy, satellite power requirements, weight
requirements, payload downlink, and payload production which are detailed below.
From a strictly technical perspective the 243 MHz instruments could be retained on the Sarsat
payloads even if the 121.5 MHz instruments are removed.  However, this would not be
practical since the current design uses some of the 121.5 MHz components to provide the
243 MHz capability, and, consequently, there would be minimal gain in eliminating the
121.5 MHz capability if the 243 MHz capability was retained.  Furthermore, maintaining the
243 MHz service would eliminate the potential for simplifying the LUT design.  Therefore,
the redesign of the SAR payloads and the satellite platforms will involve the elimination of
both the 121.5 MHz and the 243 MHz satellite processing capabilities.
3.2.1
Technical Aspects
The elimination of the 121.5 MHz instruments will require a redesign of the Cospas and
Sarsat payloads, and a concomitant review and possible redesign of the host satellite
platforms.  From the perspective of the satellite provider and the SARR payload
provider this redesign is highly desirable because:
a) there will be no requirement for a 121.5/243 MHz antenna and associated antenna
deployment mechanism;
b) the corresponding requirements placed on the satellite bus in terms of weight, power,
thermal control, and space can be reduced;
c) the complexity of the Search and Rescue Repeater (SARR) can be reduced and the
production simplified, leading to reduced recurring cost; and

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d) the satellite downlink could be optimised.
A modification to the satellite downlink would require modifications to the LEOLUT
receiver subsystem.  During any transition period when “old satellites” and “new
satellites” would be in operational service simultaneously, the LEOLUT would have to
provide the capability for handling both types of satellite downlink.  New LEOLUT
requirements may have to be developed to ensure Ground Segment/Space Segment
compatibility (see section 4).
Action Item 3.3: Space Segment Providers should develop amendments to System
document C/S T.003 (LEOSAR Space Segment Description) as soon as any design
changes have been frozen.
3.2.2
Operational Aspects
No operational aspects have been identified in respect of this issue.
3.2.3
Legal/Regulatory Aspects
3.2.3.1 ITU
Space Segment Providers are responsible for registering the satellite network operating
frequencies with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Action Item 3.4: Spacecraft providers will have to amend the declaration to the ITU of
the Kospas and SAR network frequencies (i.e. respectively Russia and the USA) to
account for the elimination of 121.5/243 MHz services.  However, this is only required
after the planned termination date.
3.2.3.2 International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement
The International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement does not make reference to the
provision of 243 MHz satellite services.  However, it does refer to the 121.5 MHz
system and will have to be modified to formalise the decision to remove the 121.5 MHz
capabilities of the space segment.
Such modification could possibly be implemented by a declaration of the satellite
providers to the Depositaries of the International Programme Agreement.  However, the
elimination of the 121.5/243 MHz satellite processing capabilities is a significant
evolution of the Cospas-Sarsat Programme.  Therefore, it might be preferable to
consider a formal amendment of the Agreement to better reflect the evolution of the
System and of the Parties’ responsibilities.
Action Item 3.5: Although an amendment to the International Cospas-Sarsat
Programme Agreement would not be required prior to the elimination of the
121.5 MHz satellite services, the Cospas-Sarsat Parties should investigate this issue as
soon as possible.
3.3
Management of 406 MHz Satellite Processing Capacity

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The decision by the Cospas-Sarsat Council to terminate 121.5 MHz satellite services in future
will accelerate the transition from 121.5 MHz ELTs/EPIRBs to 406 MHz or other alerting
systems.  However, the significant growth of the number of 406 MHz beacons is likely to
occur in the years immediately preceding the termination date.  This aspect will need to be
considered in the model of traffic forecast and addressed as part of the 406 MHz Frequency
Management Plan for providing adequate GEOSAR capacity.
The forecast growth of the 406 MHz beacon population during the transition phase and the
corresponding increase of 406 MHz alert traffic are analysed in sections 5 and 4 of this
Phase-Out Plan, respectively.  The impact of increased 406 MHz beacon transmissions on the
capacity requirements of the LEOSAR system and the GEOSAR system is analysed below.
3.3.1
LEOSAR System Capacity
A preliminary analysis indicated that the LEOSAR system will have sufficient capacity
to handle the increase of 406 MHz beacon population, even if all existing 121.5 MHz
beacons were to be replaced with 406 MHz beacons.
3.3.2
GEOSAR System Capacity
Capacity limitations in the GEOSAR system are due to collisions between beacon
transmissions which are not affected by Doppler, as in the LEOSAR system, and the
fact that the visibility area of geostationary satellites is considerably larger than the
field of view of LEOSAR satellites.  The response to the GEOSAR capacity limitation
is to “spread” the 406 MHz beacon carrier frequency over the available bandwidth.
The carrier frequency of operational beacons is centred on the frequency 406.025 MHz,
with almost no frequency spreading.  As a first step, CSC-21 decided in October 1998
that the carrier frequency of new beacon models could be centred on 406.028 MHz
from 1 January 2000, and all models submitted for type approval after 1 January 2002
must use the 406.028 MHz frequency channel.
The preliminary analysis of the consequences of the 121.5 MHz phase-out further
indicated that immediate consideration would be required in respect of additional
spreading of the beacon carrier frequencies in order to address potential GEOSAR
capacity limitations.
Action Item 3.6: The actual capacity of the GEOSAR system should be re-assessed by
completing the outstanding tests from the GEOSAR Demonstration and Evaluation.
This work should be completed by 2003.
Action Item 3.7: Procedures should be developed and documented in the System
monitoring document (C/S A.003) for regularly assessing the required GEOSAR system
capacity.  This action should be completed by 2003.
Action Item 3.8: The plan for changing the carrier frequency of orbitography and
reference/test beacons from 406.025 to 406.022 MHz should be implemented as a
priority.  The migration of test and orbitography beacons from 406.025 MHz to
406.022 MHz should be completed by 2002.  Additionally, during this time period all

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existing reference/test beacons should be declared to Cospas-Sarsat and their transmit
frequency changed to 406.022 MHz.
Action Item 3.9: Routinely occurring / transient interference should be evaluated in
terms of its effect upon GEOSAR capacity.
The optimisation of GEOLUT processing in relation to beacon frequency spreading
should be considered as a possible method for dealing with potential GEOSAR capacity
problems (see also section 4.3.2).  A long term plan for the use of the available
bandwidth (i.e. 406-406.1 MHz) should be developed by Cospas-Sarsat and updated as
appropriate on the basis of the evolution of capacity requirements.
Action Item 3.10: Participants should conduct studies to determine the optimum
spreading method of the beacon carrier frequency in respect of the GEOLUT
processing capacity.  These studies should be completed by 2002.  A long term plan for
the use of the available bandwidth (i.e. 406-406.1 MHz) should be developed by
Cospas-Sarsat and updated as appropriate on the basis of the evolution of capacity
requirements.
Action Item 3.11: Cospas-Sarsat Participants should develop and agree a model of the
406 MHz GEOSAR system processing capacity for use in the management of the
available 406 MHz bandwidth.

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4 - 1

4.
GROUND SEGMENT ISSUES
The termination of 121.5/243 MHz satellite processing services will have an impact on
several aspects of the Cospas-Sarsat Ground Segment management and operation:
a)
the LEOLUT design can be significantly optimised to provide savings in terms of
maintenance, equipment renewal policy and operation, by eliminating the requirement
for 121.5 MHz processing;
b)
LEOLUT specifications may have to be amended if the satellite downlink format is
changed as a result of the satellite/payload redesign;
c)
the LEOLUT, GEOLUT and/or MCC processing capacity may have to be increased to
cope with the expected growth of the 406 MHz beacon population; and
d)
the number of LEOLUTs providing 121.5 MHz processing may decrease prior to the
planned termination date if Ground Segment Providers choose not to renew/maintain
the corresponding equipment in anticipation of the 121.5 MHz termination.
4.1
Revised LEOLUT Requirements
The complexity of the 121.5 MHz processing impacts upon LEOLUT requirements, the
LEOLUT design, the choice of hardware and software components, and the cost of the
LEOLUT.  The elimination of such requirements would allow for a possible redesign of the
equipment with potential savings for Ground Segment Operators.  However, to provide for
these potential gains, revised LEOLUT requirements should be developed by Cospas-Sarsat
at the earliest opportunity to give manufacturers appropriate notice of the evolution.
The redesign of LEOSAR payloads and satellite platforms may lead to an optimisation of the
satellite downlink format which will need to be taken into account in revised LEOLUT
requirements (see section 3.2.1).
The processing of the 121.5/243 MHz channels is not a mandatory requirement of the
LEOLUT specification and design guidelines (C/S T.002).  Therefore, the absence of such
capability in a new LEOLUT design would not impact on the commissioning of new
equipment.  However, in the longer term the System document C/S T.005 (LEOLUT
Commissioning Standard) will also have to be amended.
Action Item 4.1: Cospas-Sarsat should develop modified LEOLUT requirements and:
a)
amend System document C/S T.002, LEOLUT Specification and Design Guidelines, to
provide for a possible optimisation of the LEOLUT design, changes in the satellite
downlink format, and increased capacity for 406 MHz beacon transmissions; and
b)
amend System document C/S T.005, LEOLUT Commissioning Standard.

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This action should be initiated as soon as possible.  It is expected to take one year to
complete.
4.2
Availability of 121.5/243 MHz Local Mode Coverage to Termination Date
As noted in 4.1 above, the processing of the 121.5 MHz channels is not a mandatory
requirement of the LEOLUT specification and design guidelines (C/S T.002).  Therefore, the
absence of such capability in a LEOLUT would not impact on the commissioning of new
equipment, or of an existing LEOLUT if this capability is not maintained.
There is a possibility that some Ground Segment operators would consider the option of not
renewing/maintaining the equipment required to provide the 121.5 MHz processing
capability in their existing Ground Segment, in anticipation of the 121.5 MHz termination.
This could lead to a reduction of the operational availability of 121.5 MHz processing in the
Ground Segment several years prior to the termination date.
However, Cospas-Sarsat must ensure that such processing will be provided by an adequate
number of LEOLUTs until the termination date.  The implication of a gradual reduction of
the LEOLUT 121.5 MHz processing capability prior to the termination date will need to be
assessed, and may require a revision of existing 121.5 MHz alert distribution procedures.
Users and Administrations must be kept informed of the operational status of the Ground
Segment and the resulting availability, reliability and quality of the 121.5 MHz satellite
service.  The corresponding legal liability issues may need to be further assessed.
Action Item 4.2: Cospas-Sarsat should:
a)
request Ground Segment Providers/Operators to advise the Council of their plans in
respect of maintaining 121.5/243 MHz processing capabilities at their LEOLUT(s) up
to the planned termination date;
b)
monitor the continued availability of 121.5 MHz LEOLUT processing capability during
the transition phase, assess the quality and reliability of 121.5 MHz services taking into
account the number of satellites with a 121.5 MHz capability and the number of
LEOLUTs which have opted to continue processing this channel, and provide adequate
information on the availability of 121.5/243 MHz local mode coverage to
Administrations, international organizations and users; and
c)
develop as appropriate revised procedures to ensure an adequate distribution of
121.5 MHz alert data by MCCs.
These activities should be updated on an ongoing basis as circumstances change.

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4.3
406 MHz Ground Segment Capacity Requirements
The expected growth of the number of 406 MHz beacons analysed in section 5 will generate
an increase in 406 MHz beacon transmissions, either from genuine distress situations or from
false alerts, which will affect LEOLUTs as well as GEOLUTs.  This growth will also result
in an increase of the 406 MHz alert message traffic in the Cospas-Sarsat MCC network.
In parallel with the growth of the 406 MHz processing requirements, there should be a
decrease in the number of 121.5 MHz beacon transmissions, if 121.5 MHz beacons are
gradually replaced by 406 MHz ELTs/EPIRBs or other types of equipment.  However, taking
into account that the majority of 121.5 MHz alerts processed by Cospas-Sarsat are not related
to genuine distresses, it is unclear whether the gradual decrease in the number of 121.5 MHz
beacons will translate into a significant reduction of 121.5 MHz alert message traffic.  In
particular, since the vast majority of 406 MHz ELTs and EPIRBs also include a 121.5 MHz
homing device, each 406 MHz transmission could also generate a 121.5 MHz Doppler
position, to be treated as an independent alert message unless modifications are made to the
current Cospas-Sarsat data distribution procedures.
4.3.1
LEOLUT 406 MHz Processing Capacity Requirements
From experience, the processing of the 406 MHz SARP and SARR data at LEOLUTs is
not a determining factor of the LEOLUT processing power requirements.  However, if
the decrease in 121.5 MHz alerts is not significant, an increase of the number of
406 MHz beacon transmissions may require additional file storage capacity in some
installations, and possibly a verification that the capacity of the communication link to
the associated MCC is adequate.
Action Item 4.3: Ground Segment Providers/Operators should carry-out verifications
of their LEOLUT data storage capacity and communication links, as soon as a better
estimate of the 406 MHz beacon message traffic increase becomes available and new
LEOLUT requirements have been defined.
4.3.2
GEOLUT 406 MHz Processing Capacity Requirements
Capacity limitations of the GEOSAR system are linked to the bandwidth available for
“spreading” the 406 MHz beacon carrier frequency, i.e. distributing the carrier
frequencies of operational beacons amongst an adequate number of channels to avoid
collisions between beacon transmissions (see section 3.3.1).
The following carrier frequency channels have already been adopted by the Cospas-
Sarsat Council to meet requirements, taking into account the current growth of the
406 MHz beacon population:
a) existing operational beacons:  406.025 MHz;
b) orbitography/reference beacons:  406.022 MHz; and
c) new models of operational beacons (from 2000):  406.028 MHz.

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The preliminary analysis of the consequences of the 121.5 MHz phase-out and the
corresponding growth of the number of 406 MHz beacons indicated that immediate
consideration would be required in respect of additional spreading of the beacon carrier
frequencies in order to address potential GEOSAR capacity limitations.  Technical
studies should be initiated as soon as possible and completed by year 2001 to determine
the optimum beacon spreading frequency method in respect of the GEOLUT processing
capacity (see Action Item 3.11, section 3.3.2).
4.3.3
MCCs and Communication Networks Capacity Requirements
MCCs’ processing and communication requirements will be affected by the growth of
the 406 MHz alert traffic, although the constraint on MCCs may be eased by some
reduction in the 121.5 MHz alert traffic.  However, 406 MHz alerts will be processed
by all LEOLUTs and by the GEOLUTs in a given GEOSAR coverage area, while
121.5 MHz alerts are essentially processed in the local mode LEOSAR coverage only.
Action Item 4.4: Using the forecast of the 406 MHz beacon population and beacon
message traffic as an input (see section 5.1), Cospas-Sarsat should develop a model of
406 MHz alert message traffic in the Ground Segment.  The model should be validated
by the year 2003, and reassessed on an annual basis thereafter.
Action Item 4.5: Based on the results of the analysis of 406 MHz alert message traffic
in the Ground Segment, and taking into account the possible decrease of 121.5 MHz
alert message traffic, Ground Segment Operators should take necessary actions to
ensure any required enhancement to the communication network and Ground Segment
processing capabilities are implemented in a timely manner.
It should be noted that this assessment may also lead to a review of the Cospas-Sarsat
MCC network and of the need for additional nodal MCCs.

5 - 1

5.
406 MHz BEACON ISSUES
The ICAO requirement for 406 MHz/121.5 MHz ELTs and the planned termination of
processing of the 121.5 MHz satellite channel will result in a significant increase in the
406 MHz beacon population.
This increase of the beacon population, the corresponding increase in 406 MHz alert traffic
and the new capacity requirements for the LEOSAR and GEOSAR systems need to be
assessed.  A preliminary assessment of the 406 MHz traffic forecast shows that, in order to
cope with the expected growth, the capacity of the GEOSAR space segment will have to be
carefully managed through:
-
the close monitoring of the beacon population;
-
specific actions by Cospas-Sarsat and Administrations to eliminate as far as possible
faulty beacons that could reduce the system capacity; and
-
the development of a plan for spreading 406 MHz beacon carrier frequencies, as
required, over the available bandwidth.
The impact of the increase of the 406 MHz beacon population on the Space Segment and the
Ground Segment are addressed in sections 3 and 4, respectively.  This section addresses more
specifically:
-
the forecast of the beacon population and 406 MHz beacon message traffic;
-
required updates to 406 MHz beacon specifications;
-
the impact on registration databases; and
-
the availability of 406 MHz beacons and beacon installation capacity.
5.1
Forecast of the 406 MHz Beacon Population and Beacon Message Traffic
In order to assess the alert message traffic, the required capacity of the Space Segment
components and the required capacity of the Ground Segment communication links, an
appropriate alert message traffic model should be developed and validated.  However, the
first input for this analysis is an updated forecast of the 406 MHz beacon population growth.
In addition, the 406 MHz beacon message traffic is affected by the actual performance and
the operation of 406 MHz beacons, e.g. faulty beacons and beacon test procedures can
significantly impact on the system capacity.  A close monitoring of 406 MHz beacon
performance and use is required to maintain, and update as necessary, a reliable assessment
of the 406 MHz beacon message traffic.
Action Item 5.1: Cospas-Sarsat should develop a model to estimate the growth of the
406 MHz beacon population.  This model should be validated, and updated on an annual
basis.  Since this model will be the foundation for all analyses in respect of System capacity
issues, its development should be completed no later than 2000.

5 - 2

Action Item 5.2: Participants should validate the existing model of 406 MHz beacon
message traffic forecast using the data provided by Ground Segment Providers (specifically
USA and France).  In addition, the model should be modified to account for the impact of
self-test mode transmissions and faulty beacons.  The modified model should be validated in
2000, and updated on an annual basis.
Action Item 5.3: GEOLUT Operators should collect and provide GEOLUT data to the
Secretariat for analysis to confirm/evaluate the impact of self-test mode transmissions and
faulty beacons.
5.2
406 MHz Beacon Specification Updates
To cope with the 406 MHz beacon population growth and provide sufficient GEOSAR space
segment capacity, the 406 MHz beacon carrier frequencies need to be spread over the
available bandwidth as noted in sections 3.3.2 and 4.3.2.
Action Item 5.4: Cospas-Sarsat should undertake co-ordination with relevant organizations
(e.g. ICAO, IMO, ITU, RTCM, RTCA) to ensure that any change of the beacon carrier
frequency specification is disseminated and incorporated into the documentation of the
organizations as appropriate.
5.3
Impact on 406 MHz Registration Databases
The termination of 121.5/243 MHz satellite services may cause an increase in the number of
406 MHz beacons registered in national databases.  In particular, Administrations may have
to prepare for a significant increase in 406 MHz beacon registrations during the period
immediately prior to the termination date.  This may require an increase in staffing to handle
technical and operational aspects associated with the registration process.
5.3.1
Technical Aspects
National databases may have to be created, or structured to handle the increase in the
number of 406 MHz beacons (EPIRBs, PLBs, and ELTs) in use, as expected at a
national level.  Handling of registration information at a national level may have to be
automated (e.g. it may be necessary to eliminate labour-intensive manual entry of
registrations into a database).
5.3.2
Operational Aspects
Systems to update beacon registration information should be implemented by
Administrations.  Staffing, at a national level, may have to be increased to handle
maintenance and operation of registration issues (e.g., confirmation of registration
information, or survey of beacon population, according to national and international
guidelines).
In conjunction with maintenance and operations of registration databases, national
Administrations may have to be prepared to provide guidance on coding issues.

5 - 3

Greater 406 MHz beacon use will cause a corresponding increase of the number of
requests for beacon registration information between MCCs, and from RCCs/SPOCs.
Data from registration databases should be available 24 hours a day to SAR services.
An increase in the number of 406 MHz ELTs may cause greater use of the 24-bit
aircraft address.  The use of the 24- bit aircraft address leads to a number of problems:
- some registration databases may not allow a search using the 24-bit address; and
- the 24-bit address can be reported in Cospas-Sarsat alert messages to RCCs either as
a string of 6 hexadecimal characters or as a 24-bit string.
A standard should be established by Cospas-Sarsat so as to ensure that this information
is meaningful to RCCs and allows access to the aircraft registration data.  Additional
guidance on registration aspects of the 24-bit aircraft address will have to be developed
by Cospas-Sarsat and promulgated by ICAO.
5.3.3
Legal/Regulatory/Educational Aspects
It is essential for national Administrations to evaluate the requirement for mandatory
registration of 406 MHz beacons.
The benefits and criticality of registration information should be publicised.
5.3.4
Actions and Recommendations
Action Item 5.5: Ground Segment Operators should review the current data
distribution procedures for the exchange of registration information (via the SIT 925)
to determine if improvements are necessary.  As the increase in 406 MHz beacon
population could take place soon after the announcement of the decision to terminate
121.5 MHz satellite alerting services, Ground Segment Operators should initiate the
review as soon as possible and complete the analysis by 2001.
Action Item 5.6: Cospas-Sarsat should develop guidance on the use of 24-bit aircraft
addresses to access aircraft registration data and request ICAO to promulgate advice
on this issue.
Action Item 5.7: The Cospas-Sarsat Secretariat should convey to ICAO a request that
ICAO develop and circulate to all member States guidelines on the establishment and
maintenance of 406 MHz ELT registration databases.
Recommendation I: Administrations may wish to analyse potential increases in
406 MHz beacon registrations and ensure that national databases can accommodate
the increase.  The analysis should be completed as soon as possible.
Recommendation II: Administrations may wish to promote point-of-sale registration
to ensure compliance with mandatory, or voluntary guidelines.
5.4
Availability of 406 MHz Beacons and Beacon Installation Capacity

5 - 4

As of June 1999 there were over 600,000 beacons operating at 121.5 MHz.  Cospas-Sarsat
and Administrations should make efforts to ensure that 406 MHz beacons are made available
to 121.5 MHz beacon users throughout the transition phase.
5.4.1
Manufacturing Capability
If a large number of 121.5 MHz beacon users wait until the final years of 121.5 MHz
satellite processing to replace their beacon with 406 MHz beacons, the potential exists
for a shortage of 406 MHz beacons and long lead times for installation work.  If there
were a shortage of 406 MHz beacons or installation capacity at the time 121.5 MHz
satellite processing is to be terminated, Administrations and/or organizations may
request Cospas-Sarsat to delay the date for terminating the 121.5 MHz satellite service.
To avoid this situation, an educational programme and communication plan should be
implemented to inform users and Administrations of the need to transition to 406 MHz
beacons (or another substitute for 121.5 MHz beacons) during a suitable time frame.
Action Item 5.8: Cospas-Sarsat should implement an information campaign to advise
users, Administrations, international organizations and manufacturers of the
requirement to transition from 121.5 MHz beacons as soon as possible.
Recommendation III: Administrations may wish to consider mandating the transition
from 121.5 MHz beacons well in advance of the termination date determined by
Cospas-Sarsat.
5.4.2
406 MHz Beacon Cost
The requirements imposed on 406 MHz beacons result in higher costs as compared to
121.5 MHz beacons.  Many of the existing 121.5 MHz beacons are used by recreational
boaters and aviators who may not be willing to purchase the more expensive 406 MHz
beacons.  Additionally, Administrations may not be willing to impose carriage
requirements for 406 MHz beacons due to the present high cost.
It is anticipated that the future sales volume will lead to some decrease in the cost of
406 MHz beacons.  However, Cospas-Sarsat should also review existing design
specifications to determine if changes could be introduced to lower the cost.  A new
design or modifications to beacon specifications should not impact existing mandated
users that operate under the provisions of IMO and ICAO.  Instead, a new class of
beacons should be introduced if necessary.
Action Item 5.9:  Cospas-Sarsat should review System documents C/S T.001 and
C/S T.007 to determine if a new beacon design, or modifications to the existing
specifications could significantly lower the cost of 406 MHz beacons.
Recommendation IV:  Administrations may wish to promote beacon technologies
(i.e. batteries, oscillators and manufacturing processes) to further reduce the cost of
406 MHz beacons.
The cost of 406 MHz beacons is also driven by the operating requirements set by
Administrations and/or international organizations.  These requirements are not part of

5 - 5

the Cospas-Sarsat specifications and, therefore, are not under the responsibility of
Cospas-Sarsat.
When considering the replacement of 121.5 MHz ELTs/EPIRBs with equivalent
406 MHz equipment, Administrations should also take into account the impact of these
operational requirements on the cost of the 406 MHz replacement beacon.
Recommendation V:  Administrations may wish to review their existing operational
requirements for 406 MHz ELTs/EPIRBs with the objective of reducing the impact of
additional features/requirements on the cost of 406 MHz beacons intended for
replacement of existing 121.5 MHz ELTs/EPIRBs.

5 - 6

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6 - 1

6.
OPERATIONAL ISSUES
The termination of 121.5/243 MHz satellite services and the expected resulting increase in
the number of 406 MHz beacons will lead to an increase in the number of 406 MHz
processing anomalies which may also lead to an increase in the number of 406 MHz false
alerts.  Last minute installations and transition to 406 MHz ELTs/EPIRBs during the period
immediately prior to the planned termination date could also cause a significant increase in
the number of 406 MHz false alerts.
Some modifications to the Cospas-Sarsat alert data distribution procedures may be required
during the transition phase.
6.1
406 MHz Processing Anomalies
A processing anomaly is defined as an alert message produced by the Cospas-Sarsat System,
which either should not have been generated or provided incorrect information.  The majority
of 406 MHz processing anomalies are generated from beacon activations.  Consequently an
increase in the 406 MHz beacon population will result in an increased number of 406 MHz
processing anomalies.
6.1.1
Technical Aspects
The technical causes of 406 MHz processing anomalies should be fully determined in
order to develop methods of eliminating or mitigating them.
6.1.2
Operational Aspects
An increase in the number of 406 MHz processing anomalies might require additional
resources at the MCC to conduct investigations to resolve them.  Any increase in the
number of 406 MHz processing anomalies may be mitigated by a reduction in the
number of 121.5/243 MHz processing anomalies.  However, in view of the fact that, in
most parts of the world, the majority of 121.5/243 MHz processing anomalies are
caused by background noise in the channel (and not beacons), there may only be a
minimal reduction in the number of 121.5/243 MHz processing anomalies until the
processing of these satellite channels is terminated.
6.1.3
Actions and Recommendations
Action Item 6.1:  Cospas-Sarsat Participants should conduct analyses to determine the
technical causes of 406 MHz processing anomalies and actions implemented to
eliminate their occurrence.  These analyses should be conducted on an ongoing basis.
Action Item 6.2:  Cospas-Sarsat Participants should conduct an analysis to determine
the anticipated increase of 406 MHz processing anomalies and the reduction of
121.5/243 MHz processing anomalies, with a view to determining the required
resources to effectively handle them.  This analysis should be performed for each MCC

6 - 2

since the extent of investigations for resolving 406 MHz and 121.5/243 MHz differs for
each administration.  This analysis should be completed before year 2004.
6.2
406 MHz False Alerts
Although most 406 MHz processing anomalies are filtered-out before transmission to RCCs,
the possible increase in processing anomalies (see above) could result in a corresponding
increase in the number of 406 MHz false alerts.
The consequences of an increase in 406 MHz operational false alerts may be mitigated by the
expected decrease in the number of 121.5 MHz false alerts, and the presence of identification
and registration information for 406 MHz beacons.  However, the decrease of 121.5 MHz
false alerts may not be significant during the transition phase, as the majority of
121.5/243 MHz processing anomalies are caused by background noise in the channel (and not
beacons).
The 1999 Cospas-Sarsat Task Group on False Alerts (TG-3/99) identified a number of
actions which should be carried-out to monitor and reduce the number of 406 MHz false
alerts, and mitigate their impact on SAR services.
Recommendation VI:  Cospas-Sarsat Participants should continue to implement the actions
identified by TG-3/99, and monitor and report on the causes of 406 MHz false alerts with a
goal to minimising their number.
6.3
Alert Data Distribution Procedures
Before the termination date, an increase in 406 MHz alerts is expected, including 406 MHz
alerts generated by the GEOSAR system.
The impact on existing data distribution procedures will need to be analysed.
Action Item 6.3:  Cospas-Sarsat Participants should review the Cospas-Sarsat alert data
distribution procedures to ensure they will be appropriate for distribution of 406 MHz data
only.
Action Item 6.4:  Cospas-Sarsat Participants should determine if data distribution
procedures are appropriate for the possible increase in 406 MHz GEOSAR detections.
The analysis of the Cospas-Sarsat alert data distribution procedures should be completed
within two years after the beginning of the transition phase.

R010OCT19.06
7 - 1

7.
CO-ORDINATION OF PHASE-OUT ACTIVITIES
The large number of inter-related activities in the preparation for terminating Cospas-Sarsat
121.5 MHz services require that a specific co-ordination effort be accomplished internally
within the Cospas-Sarsat Programme, and externally with a number of organizations and
Administrations including:
-
international organizations and national Administrations or organizations responsible
for SAR activities, regulatory matters and beacon registration;
-
manufacturers of Cospas-Sarsat equipment (i.e. 406 MHz beacons, LUTs and MCCs);
-
user organizations representing the various categories of users (e.g. IFALPA, ICS).
7.1
Internal Co-ordination of Activities Regarding the 121.5 MHz Satellite Services
Phase-Out
The co-ordination of phase-out activities by Cospas-Sarsat Participants can be accomplished
as part of the normal co-ordination of Cospas-Sarsat activities, i.e. at Joint Committee (JC)
meetings and during the Cospas-Sarsat Council (CSC) sessions.  The CSC may also decide to
convene task groups of experts as appropriate to address particular issues concerning the
preparation for phasing-out 121.5 MHz satellite services.
7.1.1
Phase-Out Plan
The Phase-Out Plan describes the major actions to be implemented by Participants and
the Cospas-Sarsat Secretariat in preparation for the phasing-out.  Therefore, it provides
the main vehicle for co-ordinating Cospas-Sarsat activities.
Action Item 7.1:  The Secretariat should update the Phase-Out Plan as necessary for
its review at each regular meeting of the Programme to reflect the status of preparation
by Cospas-Sarsat.
7.1.2
Cospas-Sarsat System Documentation
The result of Cospas-Sarsat activities will be reflected in the amendment to the System
documents.  The termination of 121.5/243 MHz satellite services will necessitate
modifications in almost all Cospas-Sarsat System documents.  This task will require
significant work from Participants and the Cospas-Sarsat Secretariat.  Some documents,
for example the Introduction to the Cospas-Sarsat System (C/S G.003) and the
Guidelines for Participation in the Cospas-Sarsat System (C/S P.007) will have to be
modified relatively soon.  Other documents may be modified at a date closer to the
actual termination.
Action Item 7.2:  The Secretariat should develop and update as necessary the list of
System documents to be updated prior to the termination of 121.5 MHz satellite
services (Annex D to the Phase-Out Plan) and prepare amendments to System

7 - 2

documents, as directed by the Council, for review by Participants at Joint Committee
meetings and approval by the Cospas-Sarsat Council.
7.2
External Co-ordination Regarding the 121.5 MHz Satellite Services Phase-Out
In addition to the Phase-Out Plan and the updating of Cospas-Sarsat System documentation,
specific efforts will have to be made to publicise the phase-out activities and time-line, and
provide international organizations, Administrations, user organizations and beacon
manufacturers and agents with relevant information on actions and decisions taken by
Cospas-Sarsat in respect of phasing-out 121.5/243 MHz satellite alerting services.
Multiple means should be explored for the distribution of information to include periodic
regional meetings, use of web sites, user organization conventions, etc.
Information provided by Cospas-Sarsat and Administrations should include:
- the rationale for the Cospas-Sarsat Council decision to terminate the 121.5 MHz
satellite alerting service;
- the rationale for, and the description of the strategy adopted for terminating
121.5 MHz services;
- the time frame of the 121.5 MHz satellite service phase-out; and
- guidelines on the actions that should be taken by the targeted audience to prepare for
the termination of 121.5 MHz satellite services.
Cospas-Sarsat will also need to ensure that amendments made to Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz
beacon specifications and type approval procedures (see section 5) are reflected as
appropriate in the 406 MHz beacon specifications published by other organizations (e.g. ITU,
IMO, RTCA, RTCM, EUROCAE, IEC).
Action Item 7.3:  The Secretariat should continue to provide periodic statements of System
status to the appropriate international organizations and co-operate with these international
organizations to ensure that the information on the termination of 121.5 MHz satellite
services is publicised and made available to all Administrations.
Recommendation VII:  Cospas-Sarsat should develop periodic statements of status and
progress on the plans to phase-out 121.5 MHz satellite services that can be used by others to
develop presentations and information bulletins for education and information distribution.
Recommendation VIII:  Administrations may wish to develop information campaigns and
establish distribution lists to ensure that all appropriate user, regulatory bodies, and
manufacturing concerns are kept informed of the progress of the phase-out.
Recommendation IX:  Cospas-Sarsat should continue promoting the advantages of the
406 MHz system and recommend to users and Administrations an early transition from
121.5 MHz ELTs/EPIRBs to 406 MHz beacons.
The distribution of information should begin as soon as such information is available and
continue periodically until the termination of satellite services.

8 - 1

8.
NATIONAL REGULATORY MATTERS
If Administrations authorising the use of 121.5 MHz beacons choose to transition to the use
of 406 MHz beacons, changes to the national requirements for carriage of emergency beacons
will probably be required.  In addition, Administrations should consider various legal,
regulatory and educational aspects of the introduction of 406 MHz beacons, as described
below.
8.1
Legal and Regulatory Aspects
States should consider legislating for the carriage of 406 MHz ELTs (as necessary) on the
various types and categories of aircraft (if such legislation does not already exist), i.e. airline,
business jet, helicopter, general aviation, leisure craft, and of 406 MHz EPIRBs on fishing
vessels and pleasure craft not subject to the provisions of the SOLAS Convention.
Administrations may also wish to co-ordinate at a national level to modify legislation
concerning the type approval, sale, and use of 121.5 MHz beacons.  Such actions would
require advanced planning to ensure that the impact to beacon manufacturers and owners is
minimised.
Administrations should ensure that an appropriate 406 MHz beacon registration database is in
place and is of sufficient capacity to accommodate an increase in 406 MHz registrations.  In
the case of the 406 MHz ELT, any legislation should lay down the rules for mandatory
registration of necessary beacon details.
Guidelines for coding requirements may need to be devised.  Regulatory authorities must be
actively involved as they will have to deal with manufacturers and users on certification
issues and agree suitable ELT equipment and time-scale for implementation.
8.2
Policy and Educational Aspects
A 406 MHz ELT policy may be required, together with an implementation plan to be
developed with a panel of experts/representatives drawn from the civil aviation authority,
military, regulatory authorities, manufacturers, airlines, equivalent maritime agencies (such
as SAR authorities, maritime safety agencies etc.).  Frequent meetings may be necessary in
order to steer the transition.  A policy for the use of personal locator beacons (PLBs) for land
use may also have to be considered.
Publicity material may need to be produced to promote, throughout the aviation industry, the
carriage of the new type of ELT.  Presentations might have to be given at national meetings
associated with flight safety and SAR.  Articles could be written for magazines and other
publications and may be placed on the Internet.  Beacon manufacturers and aviators should
be specifically targeted.
8.3
Recommendation

8 - 2

Recommendation X:  If required, Administrations may wish to develop a plan for the
transition from 121.5 MHz to 406 MHz beacons.  The plan should include the efforts
necessary to modify the national regulations to accommodate new carriage requirements,
and the time line necessary to accomplish the appropriate actions to ensure proper
compliance by the time of phase-out of the satellite services.  The plan should also include
guidance on the disposal of old beacons to prevent an unwanted increase in false alerts due
to beacon mishandling and improper disposal.  Planning the transition from 121.5 MHz
emergency beacons should begin as soon as possible.

R010OCT19.06

ANNEXES
TO DOCUMENT C/S R.010
LIST OF ANNEXES:
Annex A : List of Acronyms
Annex B : 121.5 MHz Satellite Processing Availability
Annex C : List of Actions and Recommendations
Annex D : List and Status of System Documents Updates

R010OCT19.6

Page left blank

A - 1

ANNEX A
LIST OF ACRONYMS
BPO
Beginning of Phase-Out date
CSC
Cospas-Sarsat Council
ELT
Emergency Locator Transmitter (aircraft)
EPIRB
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (ships)
EUMETSAT
European meteorological satellite organization
EUROCAE
The European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment
FTD
firm termination date
GEO
geostationary Earth orbit
GEOLUT
ground receiving station in the GEOSAR system
GEOSAR
GEO satellite system for SAR
GMDSS
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organization
ICSPA
International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement
IEC
International Electrotechnical Commission
IMO
International Maritime Organization
ITU
International Telecommunication Union
JC
Joint Committee
LEO
low Earth orbit
LEOLUT
ground receiving station in the LEOSAR system
LEOSAR
LEO satellite system for SAR
LUT
Local User Terminal (Cospas-Sarsat ground receiving station)
MCC
Mission Control Centre (Cospas-Sarsat communication centre)
METOP
LEO meteorological operational satellite of the European meteorological
organization (EUMETSAT)
MHz
megahertz
NOAA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (USA)
NPOESS
National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (USA)
PLB
Personal Locator Beacon

A - 2

RCC
rescue co-ordination centre
RTCA
Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautical Services (USA)
RTCM
Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (USA)
SAR
search and rescue
SARP
Search and Rescue Processor (satellite on-board instrument)
SARR
Search and Rescue Repeater (satellite on-board instrument)
SIT
Subject Indicator Type (Cospas-Sarsat alert message type)
SOLAS
Safety of Life at Sea (Convention)
SPOC
SAR point of contact
TG
task group

B - 1

ANNEX B
121.5 MHz SATELLITE PROCESSING AVAILABILITY
Satellite/Year


S4 (NOAA-11)
D
C4 (Nadezhda-1)
DR
D
S6 (NOAA-14)
▲
D
S7 (NOAA-15)
▲
S8 (NOAA-16)
▲
D\*
C9 (Nadezhda-6)
▲
D
S9 (NOAA-17)
▲
C10 (Nadezhda-7)
D
C11 (Sterkh)
X
C12 (Sterkh)
X
S10 (NOAA-N)
▲
S11 (Metop-A)
Year


Maximum Number of
Payloads Available


*   Sarsat-8 – no processing capability at 121.5 MHz
X  Projected Satellite Launch
D  Decommissioned
▲ End of Design Life (Satellites may continue to be available beyond their expected design life,
dependent upon satellite health)
R  Recommissioned
Figure B.1:  Chart of 121.5 MHz Satellite Processing Availability
Satellite processing at 121.5/243 MHz ceased 1February 2009

B - 2

B.1 121.5 MHz Satellite Processing Availability
The projected launch and end of design life dates for Cospas and Sarsat payloads with
121.5 MHz instruments is provided at Figure B.1.  The end of design life planning figure
used was 3 years for Sarsat instruments (5 years for the instruments carried aboard Metop
satellites) and 5 years for Cospas instruments.  Sarsat payloads include both 121.5 and
243 MHz repeaters, whereas Cospas payloads only include 121.5 MHz repeaters.
B.2 Number of 121.5 MHz Payloads in Orbit
The projected number of 121.5 MHz payloads in orbit is provided in the last row of
Figure B.1.  The number of available 121.5 MHz payloads includes the older satellites
currently in orbit (i.e., C-4, S-6, S-7, S-8 and C-9).  A satellite was assumed to be operational
and available as of the year that it was launched through the year it reached its design life.  It
should be noted that the Space Segment providers may choose to decommission satellites
even if their SAR payloads are still operational.
PLEASE NOTE:
The chart at Figure B.1 was developed using provisional launch dates and the satellite design
lifetime.  The launch dates are subject to change depending on national requirements of the
space segment providers.  In addition, the actual satellite life may exceed its design life.
- END OF ANNEX B -

C - 1

ANNEX C
LIST OF ACTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
C.1 COSPAS-SARSAT ACTIONS FOR PHASING-OUT 121.5 MHz SATELLITE
SERVICES
Actions
Status
Action Item 3.1: (section 3.1.1)
Russia, Canada and the USA conducted an analysis to determine
whether 121.5 MHz instruments could be disabled without adversely
affecting Cospas-Sarsat or other satellite operations.  The results of
this technical analysis confirming the feasibility of turning off
121.5 MHz instruments without affecting Cospas-Sarsat or other
satellite operations were adopted by the CSC-23 Session of the
Council in October 1999.
Action closed at
CSC-23
(October 1999)
Action Item 3.2: (section 3.1.2)
The Cospas-Sarsat Secretariat should maintain and update as
necessary the chart provided at Annex B indicating the expected
launch dates and possible period of operation for all satellites with
the 121.5 MHz SARR.  This chart should be updated on an ongoing
basis and periodically reviewed by the Cospas-Sarsat Council for
inclusion of the revision in the Phase-Out Plan.
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)
Action Item 3.3: (section 3.2.1)
Space Segment Providers should develop amendments to System
document C/S T.003 (LEOSAR Space Segment Description) as soon
as any design changes have been frozen.
Comments: Canada and Russia provided updates to document
C/S T.003 to describe satellite design after elimination of 121.5 MHz
processing.
Action closed at
CSC-41
(October 2008)

C - 2

Actions
Status
Action Item 3.4: (section 3.2.3)
Spacecraft providers will have to amend the declaration to the ITU
of the Kospas and SAR network frequencies (i.e. respectively Russia
and the USA) to account for the elimination of 121.5/243 MHz
services.  This action is only required after the planned termination
date.
Comments: At CSC-42 in April 2009, the Council noted that Russia and
the USA planned to correspond with the ITU via their national
frequency authorities to amend the declarations of the Cospas and
Sarsat network frequencies, and would inform CSC-43 of any actions
taken
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)
Action Item 3.5: (section 3.2.3)
Although an amendment to the International Cospas-Sarsat
Programme Agreement would not be required prior to the
elimination of the 121.5 MHz satellite services, the Cospas-Sarsat
Parties should investigated this issue as soon as possible.
Comments: At CSC-37 in October 2006, the Council noted that there
was no need to modify the ICSPA; however the Parties should
inform the depositories of the ICSPA (e.g. IMO and ICAO) of the
termination of 121.5/243 MHz processing after the termination date.
At CSC-42 in April 2009, the Council decided to invite the
Secretariat to prepare draft letters from the Cospas-Sarsat Council
Chair to the Secretary General of ICAO and the Secretary General
of IMO to inform the Depositories of the ICSPA of the termination of
121.5/243 MHz processing by Cospas-Sarsat and present these
letters for consideration at the CSC-43 Session
Action closed at
CSC-37
(October 2006)
Action Item 3.6: (section 3.3.2)
The actual capacity of the GEOSAR system should be re-assessed.
Cospas-Sarsat
should
complete
the
outstanding
GEOSAR
Demonstration and Evaluation test dealing with GEOSAR capacity
by 2003.
Comments: Document C/S R.013, Issue 1, October 2004 provides an
assessment of GEOSAR system capacity.
Action closed at
CSC-37
(October 2006)

C - 3

Actions
Status
Action Item 3.7: (section 3.3.2)
Cospas-Sarsat should develop procedures for inclusion in the System
monitoring document (C/S A.003) for regularly assessing the
required GEOSAR system capacity.  This action should be
completed by 2003.
Comments: Document C/S A.003 currently does not address the
GEOSAR system. Carried forward as a JC-23 action item.
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)
Action Item 3.8: (section 3.3.2)
The plan for changing the carrier frequency of orbitography and
reference/ test beacons should be implemented as a priority.  The
migration of test, orbitography and reference beacons from
406.025 MHz to 406.022 MHz should be completed by 2002.
Additionally, all providers of reference/test beacons should declare
their beacon to Cospas-Sarsat and change the beacon operating
frequency to 406.022 MHz.
Comments: All orbitography and reference beacons changed to new
frequency.
Action closed at
CSC-37
(October 2006)
Action Item 3.9: (section 3.3.2)
Participants should conduct analysis to determine the effect of
routinely occurring / transient interference upon GEOSAR capacity.
Comments: No longer required.
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)
Action Item 3.10: (section 3.3.2)
Participants should conduct studies to determine the optimum
spreading method of the beacon carrier frequency in respect of the
GEOLUT processing capacity.  These studies should be completed
by 2002.  A long term plan for the use of the available bandwidth
(i.e. 406.0 - 406.1 MHz) should be developed by Cospas-Sarsat and
updated as appropriate on the basis of the evolution of capacity
requirements.
Comments: See the LEOSAR and GEOSAR capacity models in
C/S T.012
Action closed at
CSC-31
(October 2003)
Action Item 3.11: (section 3.3.2)
Cospas-Sarsat Participants should develop and agree a model of the
406 MHz GEOSAR system processing capacity for use in the
management of the available 406 MHz bandwidth.
Comments: See the GEOSAR capacity model in C/S T.012.
Action closed at
CSC-31
(October 2003)

C - 4

Actions
Status
Action Item 4.1: (section 4.1)
Cospas-Sarsat should develop modified LEOLUT requirements and:
a) amend System document C/S T.002, LEOLUT specification and
design guidelines to provide for a possible optimisation of the
LEOLUT design, changes in the satellite downlink format, and
increased capacity for 406 MHz beacon transmissions; and
b) amend System document C/S T.005, LEOLUT commissioning
standard.
Comments:  Completed in 2009 with deletion of all references to
121.5/243 MHz processing in documents C/S T.002 and C/S T.005,
which included a review of document C/S T.002 concerning the
performance of the downlink receiver.
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)
Action Item 4.2: (section 4.2)
Cospas-Sarsat should:
a) request Ground Segment Providers/Operators to advise the
Council of their plans in respect of maintaining 121.5/243 MHz
processing capabilities at their LEOLUT(s) up to the planned
termination date;
b) monitor the continued availability of 121.5 MHz LEOLUT
processing capability during the transition phase, assess the
quality and reliability of 121.5 MHz services taking into account
the number of satellites with a 121.5 MHz capability and the
number of LEOLUTs which have opted to continue processing
this channel, and provide adequate information on the availability
of 121.5/243 MHz local mode coverage to Administrations,
international organizations and users; and
c) develop as appropriate revised procedures to ensure an adequate
distribution of 121.5 MHz alert data by MCCs.
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)
Action Item 4.3: (section 4.3.1)
Ground Segment Providers/Operators should carry-out verifications
of their LEOLUT data storage capacity and communication links, as
soon as a better estimate of the 406 MHz beacon message traffic
increase becomes available and new LEOLUT requirements have
been defined.
Comments: Not required in light of current LEOLUT capacity and
expected 406 MHz beacon message traffic.
Action closed at
CSC-37
(October 2006)

C - 5

Actions
Status
Action Item 4.4: (section 4.3.3)
Using the forecast of the 406 MHz beacon population and beacon
message traffic as an input (see Action Items 5.1 and 5.2), Cospas-
Sarsat should develop a model of 406 MHz alert message traffic in
the Ground Segment.  The model should be validated by the year
2003, and reassessed on an annual basis thereafter.
Comments: Per TG-1/2003 recommendation. Volume of traffic is very
low in comparison with the capabilities of most communication
systems and there is no need for further investigations.
Action closed at
CSC-31
(October 2003)
Action Item 4.5: (section 4.3.3)
Based on the results of the analysis of 406 MHz alert message traffic
in the Ground Segment, and taking into account the possible
decrease of 121.5 MHz alert message traffic, Ground Segment
Operators should take necessary actions to ensure any required
enhancement to the communication network and Ground Segment
processing capabilities are implemented in a timely manner.
Comments: Due to forecast low volume of 406 MHz alert message
traffic, no modifications to the communication network and Ground
Segment processing capabilities required.
Action closed at
CSC-31
(October 2003)
Action Item 5.1: (section 5.1)
Cospas-Sarsat should develop a model to estimate the growth of the
406 MHz beacon population.  This model should be validated, and
updated on an annual basis.  Since this model will be the foundation
for all analyses in respect of System capacity issues, its development
should be completed no later than 2000.
Comments: Model agreed and available in document C/S T.012.
Validation performed annually.
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)
Action Item 5.2: (section 5.1)
Participants should validate the existing model of 406 MHz beacon
message traffic forecast using the data provided by Ground Segment
Providers (specifically USA and France).  In addition, the model
should be modified to account for the impact of self-test mode
transmissions and faulty beacons.  The modified model should be
validated in 2000, and updated on an annual basis.
Comments: Model agreed and available in document C/S T.012.
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)

C - 6

Actions
Status
Action Item 5.3: (section 5.1)
GEOLUT Operators should collect and provide GEOLUT data to the
Secretariat for analysis to confirm/evaluate the impact of self-test
mode transmissions and faulty beacons.
Comments:  JC-19 agreed that monitoring beacon performance was
essential for ensuring the health of the System and encouraged
Participants to implement beacon monitoring and reporting
programmes in accordance with the guidance provided in document
C/S A.003.
Administrations report false alert statistics in their annual Report on
System Status and Operations.
Self-test mode transmissions are addressed annually as part of the 406
MHz traffic evaluation in accordance with the procedure described in
document C/S T.012.  Faulty beacon issues are addressed on a case-
by-case basis, as required.
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)
Action Item 5.4: (section 5.2)
Cospas-Sarsat should undertake co-ordination with relevant
organizations (e.g. ICAO, IMO, ITU, RTCM, RTCA) to ensure that
any change of the beacon carrier frequency specification is
disseminated and incorporated into the documentation of the
organizations as appropriate.
Comments: Changes to C/S T.001 and C/S T.007 reflecting the
406 MHz channel assignment plan as outlined in C/S T.012 have
been made.  The Secretariat proposed appropriate changes to the
ITU Recommendation ITU-R M.633-2, which now refers directly to
C/S T.001.  ICAO Annex 10 was amended to refer to C/S T.012.
IMO Assembly Resolution A.810 (19) amended by Resolution
MSC.56(66) and Resolution MSC.120(74) make direct reference to
C/S T.001.
Action closed at
CSC-37
(October 2006)

C - 7

Actions
Status
Action Item 5.5: (section 5.3.4)
Ground Segment Operators should review the current data
distribution procedures for the exchange of registration information
(via the SIT 925) to determine if improvements are necessary.  As
the increase in 406 MHz beacon population could take place soon
after the announcement of the decision to terminate 121.5 MHz
satellite alerting services, Ground Segment Operators should initiate
the review as soon as possible and complete the analysis by 2001.
Comments: TG-2/2000 agreed that a SIT 925 (beacon registration
information) was not required to be transmitted automatically on
receipt of an NOCR message.  However, if MCCs desired they could
follow procedure in the DDP to transmit SIT 925 messages
concerning beacons in their national registry.
Action closed at
CSC-37
(October 2006)
Action Item 5.6: (section 5.3.4)
Cospas-Sarsat should develop guidance on the use of 24-bit aircraft
addresses to access aircraft registration data, and request ICAO to
promulgate advice on this issue.
Comments: No standard ICAO procedure exists for the assignment of
24-bit address by Administrations.
Action closed at
CSC-37
(October 2006)
Action Item 5.7: (section 5.3.4)
The Cospas-Sarsat Secretariat should convey to ICAO a request that
ICAO develop and circulate to all member States guidelines on the
establishment and maintenance of 406 MHz ELT registration
databases.
Comments: Annex 10, Volume III, Part II of the ICAO Convention was
modified effective 27 November 2003 to notify states of the
requirement for 406 MHz ELT registration databases and provide
guidelines on required database fields.
Action closed at
CSC-31
(October 2003)
Action Item 5.8: (section 5.4.1)
Cospas-Sarsat should implement an information campaign to advise
users,
Administrations,
international
organizations
and
manufacturers of the requirement to transition from 121.5 MHz
beacons as soon as possible.
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)

C - 8

Actions
Status
Action Item 5.9: (section 5.4.2)
Cospas-Sarsat should review the documents C/S T.001 and
C/S T.007 to determine if a new beacon design or modifications to
the existing specifications could significantly lower the cost of
406 MHz beacons.
Comments: At CSC-29 a relaxation of the medium term stability
requirement was agreed in principle.  A System test was conducted
in September/October 2003.  CSC-33 approved a revised issue of
C/S T.001 which included a change in the beacon medium-term
frequency stability requirement to facilitate manufacture of lower
cost beacons.
Action closed at
CSC-37
(October 2006)
Action Item 6.1: (section 6.1.3)
Cospas-Sarsat Participants should conduct analyses to determine the
technical causes of 406 MHz processing anomalies and actions
implemented to eliminate their occurrence.  These analyses should
be conducted on an ongoing basis.
Comments: Administrations have reported beacon anomalies to the
Secretariat on an ad hoc basis and in two recent cases have resulted
in beacon recalls by manufacturers.  The Secretariat continues to
report status to the Council.
Procedures are addressed in section 4 of document C/S A.003.
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)
Action Item 6.2: (section 6.1.3)
Cospas-Sarsat Participants should conduct an analysis to determine
the anticipated increase of 406 MHz processing anomalies and the
reduction of 121.5/243 MHz processing anomalies, with a view to
determining the required resources to effectively handle them.  This
analysis should be performed for each MCC since the extent of
investigations for resolving 406 MHz and 121.5/243 MHz differs for
each administration.  This analysis should be completed before year
2004.
Comments:  Experience has shown that 406 MHz processing anomalies
do not adversely impact the System.
Action closed at
CSC-37
(October 2006)
Action Item 6.3: (section 6.3)
Cospas-Sarsat Participants should review the Cospas-Sarsat alert
data distribution procedures to ensure they will be appropriate for
distribution of 406 MHz data only.
Comments:  There is no reason to suspect that existing alert
distribution procedures would be inadequate.
Action closed at
CSC-37
(October 2006)

C - 9

Actions
Status
Action Item 6.4: (section 6.3)
Cospas-Sarsat Participants should determine if data distribution
procedures are appropriate for the possible increase in 406 MHz
GEOSAR detections.
Comments:  Experience to date with global GEOSAR coverage shows
that this is not a significant issue.
Action closed at
CSC-37
(October 2006)
Action Item 7.1: (section 7.1.1)
The Secretariat should update the Phase-Out Plan as necessary for its
review at each regular meeting of the Programme to reflect the status
of preparation by Cospas-Sarsat.
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)
Action Item 7.2: (section 7.1.2)
The Secretariat should develop and update as necessary the list of
System documents to be updated prior to the termination of
121.5 MHz satellite services (Annex D to the Phase-Out Plan) and
prepare amendments to System documents, as directed by the
Council, for review by Participants at Joint Committee meetings and
approval by the Cospas-Sarsat Council.
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)
Action Item 7.3: (section 7.2)
The Secretariat should continue to provide periodic statements of
System status to the appropriate international organizations and co-
operate with these international organizations to ensure that the
information on the termination of 121.5 MHz satellite services is
publicised and made available to all Administrations.
Comments: Regular System status reports are provided to the IMO
COMSAR Sub-Committee and the ICAO/IMO JWG on SAR.  Reports
have also been provided to regional ICAO hosted SAR seminars.
Action closed at
CSC-43
(October 2009)

C - 10

C.2 RECOMMENDATIONS TO ORGANIZATIONS/ADMINISTRATIONS IN
RESPECT OF PHASING-OUT 121.5 MHz SATELLITE SERVICES
Recommendations
Status /
Comments
Recommendation I: (section 5.3.4)
Administrations may wish to analyse potential increases in 406 MHz
beacon registrations and ensure that national databases can accommodate
the increase.  The analysis should be completed as soon as possible.
Recommendation II: (section 5.3.4)
Administrations may wish to promote point-of-sale registration to ensure
compliance with mandatory or voluntary guidelines.
Recommendation III: (section 5.4.1)
Administrations may wish to consider mandating the transition from
121.5 MHz beacons well in advance of the termination date determined
by Cospas-Sarsat.
Recommendation IV: (section 5.4.2)
Administrations may wish to promote beacon technologies (i.e. batteries,
oscillators and manufacturing processes) to further reduce the cost of
406 MHz beacons.
Recommendation V: (section 5.4.2)
Administrations may wish to review their existing operational
requirements for 406 MHz ELTs/EPIRBs with the objective of reducing
the impact of additional features/requirements on the cost of 406 MHz
beacons intended for replacement of existing 121.5 MHz ELTs/EPIRBs.
Recommendation VI: (section 6.2)
Cospas-Sarsat Participants should continue to implement the actions
identified by TG-3/99, and monitor and report on the causes of 406 MHz
false alerts with a goal to minimising their number.
Recommendation VII: (section 7.2)
Cospas-Sarsat should develop periodic statements of status and progress
on the plans to phase-out 121.5 MHz satellite services that can be used
by others to develop presentations and information bulletins for
education and information distribution.

C - 11

Recommendations
Status /
Comments
Recommendation VIII: (section 7.2)
Administrations may wish to develop information campaigns and
establish distribution lists to ensure that all appropriate user, regulatory
bodies, and manufacturing concerns are kept informed of the progress of
the phase-out.
Recommendation IX: (section 7.2)
Cospas-Sarsat should continue promoting the advantages of the 406 MHz
system and recommend to users and Administrations an early transition
from 121.5 MHz ELTs/EPIRBs to 406 MHz beacons.
Recommendation X: (section 8.3)
If required, Administrations may wish to develop a plan for the transition
from 121.5/243 MHz to 406 MHz beacons.  The plan should include the
efforts necessary to modify the national regulations to accommodate new
carriage requirements, and the time line necessary to accomplish the
appropriate actions to ensure proper compliance by the time of phase-out
of the satellite services.  The plan should also include guidance on the
disposal of old beacons to prevent an unwanted increase in false alerts
due to beacon mishandling and improper disposal.  Planning the
transition from 121.5/243 MHz emergency beacons should begin as soon
as possible.

C - 12

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D - 1

ANNEX D
LIST AND STATUS OF COSPAS-SARSAT DOCUMENT UPDATES
The table below identifies System documents and other key Programme documents which
should be amended to reflect the phasing-out of 121.5/243 MHz satellite alerting services.
The “effective date” indicates when the amended document should take effect, and the status
column indicates whether the required amendment has been completed or if the action is still
open.  If a document has to be amended more than once (e.g. once to address the transition
period and once to reflect the situation after the cut-off date) separate entries are identified for
each.
Document Title
Target
Completion
Date
Status
C/S P.001:  International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement
Comments:  Cospas-Sarsat should notify IMO and ICAO, the
depositories of the ICSPA, that the definition of the System has
changed.

Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)
C/S P.011:  Cospas-Sarsat Programme Management Policy
Comments:  Some updates required to remove all reference to
121.5 MHz processing and specifications.
JC-23
Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)
C/S G.003: Introduction to the Cospas-Sarsat System
Amend C/S G.003 to reflect transition period.
Amend C/S G.003 to address status after the cut-off date.
Comments: Document C/S G.003 has not been updated since 1999,
yet it remains a very popular and useful document (in April 2008 it
was downloaded from the Cospas-Sarsat website over 1000 times).
A complete redraft of this document is required and will take
considerable effort.
JC-23
Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)
C/S S.011: Cospas-Sarsat Glossary
Comments: Rebuild of document required to address Russian
language in Cyrillic font.
JC-23
Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)
C/S T.002: Cospas-Sarsat LEOLUT Performance Specification
and Design Guidelines
Comments: See Action Item 4.1. Requires updates to several
sections and block diagrams to remove reference to LUT
processing at 121.5MHz and 121.5 MHz performance
requirements.
JC-23
Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)

D - 2

Document Title
Target
Completion
Date
Status
C/S T.003: Description of the Payloads Used in the Cospas-Sarsat
LEOSAR System
Comments: Per Action Item 3.3, Canada and Russia should provide
updates to document C/S T.003 to describe satellite design after
elimination of 121.5 MHz processing.
CSC-41
Closed
C/S T.004: Cospas-Sarsat LEOSAR Space Segment
Commissioning Standard
Comments: Requires extensive modification to remove all reference
to 121.5 MHz processing.
JC-23
Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)
C/S T.005: Cospas-Sarsat LEOLUT Commissioning Standard
Comments: See Action Item 4.1. Requires modification to remove
all reference to 121.5 MHz test conditions, etc.
JC-23
Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)
C/S A.001: Cospas-Sarsat Data Distribution Plan
Delete references to 121.5 MHz alerts
JC-23
Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)
C/S A.002: Cospas-Sarsat Mission Control Centres Standard
Interface Description
Comments: Requires modification to remove all reference to
121.5 MHz in SIT message descriptors, etc.
JC-23
Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)
C/S A.003: Cospas-Sarsat System Monitoring and Reporting
Comments: Requires extensive modification to incorporate the
Quality Management System and remove all reference to
121.5 MHz System monitoring, interference monitoring at
121.5 MHz, changes to the annual Report on System Status and
Operations form, etc.
JC-23
Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)
C/S A.004: Cospas-Sarsat System Exercising
Comments: This document dates from 1994 and had only minimal
updates in 1998.
If this document is selected for use in another System exercise, it
will require updating
TBD
Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)
C/S A.005: Cospas-Sarsat Mission Control Centre Performance
Specification and Design Guidelines
Comments: Requires modification to remove all reference to
121.5 MHz processing in MCCs.
JC-23
Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)

D - 3

Document Title
Target
Completion
Date
Status
C/S A.006: Cospas-Sarsat Mission Control Centre Commissioning
Standard
Comments: Requires modification to remove all reference to
121.5 MHz processing in MCCs.
JC-23
Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)
C/S S.007: Handbook of Beacon Regulations
Comments: Participants should provide updates to national
regulations to remove all reference to 121.5 MHz regulations, once
these are updated at the national level.
JC-23
Action
closed at
CSC-43
(October
2009)
- END OF ANNEX D -
- END OF DOCUMENT -

D - 4

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Cospas-Sarsat Secretariat
1250 René-Lévesque Blvd. West, Suite 4215, Montréal (Québec) H3B 4W8 Canada
Telephone: +1 514 500 7999
Fax: +1 514 500 7996
Email: mail@cospas-sarsat.int
Website: http://www.cospas-sarsat.int