Russia's Meteor-M satellites to be engaged in Cospas-Sarsat int'l search and rescue system

MOSCOW. Nov 5 (Interfax) - The Meteor-M N2-3 and Meteor-M N2-4 hydro-meteorological satellites have passed tests and will be included in the orbital constellation of the Cospas-Sarsat international search and rescue system, the press service for the Russian Space Systems (RSS) said on Wednesday.

"RSS representatives informed the Council that Russia's Meteor-M N2-3 and Meteor-M N2-4 low-orbit satellites have passed commission tests and are ready to join the system," the press service said.

The company's specialists also modified ground stations working with the Luch-series relay satellites to receive signals from the second-generation radio beacons, the press service said. "They will be added to the Cospas-Sarsat system in 2026," it said.

In addition, Russia and Qatar agreed to cooperate in using the Electro-L N3 and Electro-L N5 satellites, it said. The satellites will receive signals on Qatar's ground station to provide latest information to the country's search and rescue forces, it said.

The Cospas-Sarsat international program is an element of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System providing to search and rescue forces with latest and precise information about aircraft or vessels in distress. At present, 45 countries and organizations are members of the program.