Speaker's Night: Heavenly Help to the Rescue

Canada is a nation with vast, largely uninhabited areas. Canada also has one of the longest coast lines of any nation on earth. When people travel through these areas via aircraft, vessels or other means, unexpected situations can arise that put their lives in danger. Because communications links are often non-existent in these regions, lengthy searches can result which reduces one’s chances of survival.

Forty years ago, four nations came together to find solutions to this problem. Canada, the United States, France and the Soviet Union developed a system called COSPAS-SARSAT. Since the first rescue in September 1982, this system has been credited with assisting in the rescue of more than 35,000 people world wide. In 2014, COSPAS-SARSAT was inducted into the Space Foundation’s “Space Technology Hall of Fame.”

Major (retired) Ted King, was one of the pioneers who worked in that project. The presentation will cover traditional Search and Rescue (SAR) techniques, how satellite technology has helped, and new challenges that resulted. Several real stories will be used to illustrate the “before and after” impact of satellites, and challenges that were needed to gain international acceptance of this new technology, and current status. 

Talk starts at 7:30pm, socializing at 7:00pm.

Who can attend: Everyone
Fee: Free
Registration: Not required
Organized by: RASC, Toronto Centre
Location: Ontario Science Centre (follow the signs to the RASC meeting)