GPS comes to the rescue with DASS
Jun
In last week’s post we talked about some of the failings of the current emergency rescue systems. This week we talk about what’s being done to remedy these problems.
The next generation of emergency location is DASS (Distress Alerting Satellite System) and local government agencies and NASA are working together to make it fully operational within the next couple of years. The biggest change involves switching from low-Earth orbit satellites to the medium-Earth orbit GPS satellites. With the ongoing work done by the U.S. Air Force to keep GPS constellation as the ‘gold standard’ in navigation this is a huge advantage over the current system.
Nine GPS satellites are already equipped with the new technology, with 12 more planned. Teams are in the middle of testing the new technology, as well as working with international agencies such as Galileo and GLONASS to extend the reach of DASS from North America to Europe and Russia.
Why DASS is better
- Faster response – Primarily, DASS will allow SAR to respond a lot quicker to emergencies because it uses medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellites instead of the current low-Earth (LEO) orbit satellites. DASS-equipped satellites will instantly transmit location details to a ground control station, from where SAR crews can be immediately notified and respond appropriately. They will use the GPS constellation of satellites giving a much better coverage.
- Works with all beacons - Another advantage is that it works with beacons that don’t have a built-in navigation receiver. Under the current system, for beacons to work effectively they need to have a navigation receiver that can convert the latitude and longitude information received from a satellite, encode and transmit that to ground control so SAR can respond quickly and accurately. With DASS, satellites relay this information directly to ground control stations, also known as MEOLUTs.
- Saves money – Rescue operations are extremely costly and every extra hour spent searching increases the costs significantly. DASS will provide faster, more accurate locating of distressed parties, saving vital SAR funds.
- Better coverage – Since emergency beacon signals will be picked up by satellites on the GPS constellation in medium-Earth orbit instead of the current low-Earth orbit, they are less likely to be blocked by difficult terrain.
- 2-way communication - DASS also introduces the ability for 1-way or two-way (non-vocal) communication, perhaps being used to confirm a distress alert has been received and an ETA for the rescue team, or to eliminate false alerts. It hasn’t been confirmed this feature will be part of DASS or not.
- Less risk to rescuers – Because authorities can respond with more certainty and accuracy, it reduces the risk to rescuers.
Better your odds right now
Don’t panic. Emergency beacons still work and they can still find you – DASS will just speed things up.
In the meantime, do yourself a favor and register your beacon. This can be helpful if for example your beacon is mistakenly activated allowing SAR to contact you to determine if it is a false alert. It can also help them locate you faster in a real emergency.
Until DASS is operational, do what you can to take the best care of your personal safety, make sure your GPS systems are working correctly, your emergency locator beacon is registered and you have an escape plan. It all helps you to stay safe, no matter where you are!
