Final answer:
COSPAS-SARSAT satellites are in a polar orbit, which allows for global coverage and is ideal for the satellite system's search and rescue mission.
Step-by-step explanation:
The COSPAS-SARSAT satellites are in a polar orbit around the Earth. A polar orbit allows satellites to pass over the Earth's poles on each revolution, providing global coverage of the Earth's surface over time. This is particularly useful for search and rescue operations covered by the COSPAS-SARSAT system, as it can detect distress signals from anywhere on the planet. Furthermore, an orbit's attributes, such as its perigee and apogee, are essential descriptors of its shape and size. While an ellipse does describe one type of satellite orbit, it is specific to the paths that some planets, asteroids, and comets take around the Sun, which can vary from nearly circular to highly eccentric.