Mission: To detect 406 MHz distress signals from emergency beacons in cooperation with the International Cospas-Sarsat Program to locate people in distress and save lives.

Vision: Enhance maritime, land and aviation safety by communicating clear U.S. SARSAT Program guidance and best practices.  We will honor beacon users and responders, and will collaborate with internal, external, and international partners. Through innovation and a unified approach, we will ensure greater System efficiency and ability to save lives globally. 

The U.S. Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) Program is a vital part of the global International Cospas-Sarsat System, alongside Canada, France and the Russian Federation.  The System was designed to locate individuals in distress, particularly in remote or hard-to-reach areas, such as at sea, in wilderness, or during disasters. On October 1st, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard serves as the Lead Federal Agency for this crucial component of international search and rescue efforts, leveraging space-based technology to assist in emergencies and save lives across the world. See more on SARSAT U.S. Saves.

Key Features of the SARSAT Program

Satellite-Based Search and Rescue

The program uses satellite technology to detect emergency beacons, such as those carried by ships, aircraft, or individuals in distress. These beacons transmit distress signals that are relayed to ground stations via the satellites.

International Cooperation

The SARSAT Program is part of a larger, international system known as the Cospas-Sarsat system. This system is a global network of satellites and ground stations that work together to detect and locate distress signals from emergency beacons. The U.S. is a major contributor to the Cospas-Sarsat system, providing significant resources and expertise to support the program. This contribution reflects the U.S. commitment to international cooperation and its recognition of the importance of a global search and rescue system. 
 

Emergency Beacons

Emergency beacons play a critical role in the SARSAT program, providing a vital link between individuals in distress and rescue teams. The program works with several types of distress signals, including: 

• 406 MHz Beacons: Designed to provide accurate location information and are used by aircraft, ships, and individuals. They are the primary signal for Cospas-Sarsat distress alerts.
  
  - Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) – handheld, portable units for use in remote 
    environments.
  
  - Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs): designed for maritime use.
  
  - Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs): designed for use in aircraft.

• 121.5 MHz Beacons: These older, analog beacons are no longer monitored by the SARSAT System.  While there are some technologies that can detect these beacons, they are not as reliable as newer ELTs.

Rescue Coordination 

When a satellite detects a distress signal, it rapidly transmits the information to the nearest rescue coordination center (RCC), a specialized facility that coordinates search and rescue operations. The RCC then dispatches highly trained rescue teams to the location of the distress. 
 

Global Coverage 

The program is essential for providing rapid response capabilities in areas that lack other forms of communication, such as remote regions where traditional search and rescue efforts might be delayed or infeasible. By leveraging advanced satellite technology, the program enables swift and effective response to emergencies, saving lives and reducing response times in some of the world’s most challenging environments.