Question 31E5

Statement B is false because the Inmarsat system, which uses geostationary satellites, does not provide coverage at the extreme polar regions (above approximately 75-80 degrees latitude). Therefore, it does not offer truly worldwide coverage for distress alerts. * **A) True:** The COSPAS-SARSAT system, particularly its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, relies on the satellite passing overhead to detect and localize a signal using Doppler shift. This process can indeed take an hour or more if the EPIRB doesn't have a GPS receiver. * **C) True:** GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) weather satellites are designed to remain over a fixed point on the Earth's equator, which defines a geostationary orbit. * **D) True:** Many modern 406 MHz EPIRBs are equipped with GPS receivers. This allows them to immediately transmit their precise location along with the distress signal, significantly speeding up search and rescue operations.