On Wednesday, October 1, the Coast Guard takes over management of the U.S. Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) program from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
SARSAT is the U.S. part of a larger, global network: the International Cospas-Sarsat Program (ICSP).
This network uses satellites to detect distress signals from 406 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), and Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs).
The system relays the signal to ground stations that pinpoint the location of the 406 beacon for rescue authorities, like the Coast Guard, drastically improving response times and helping save lives.
NASA will also take on the role of Chief Engineer, leading projects to improve the System.
The Space Force will now be the primary provider of satellite support, operating the Medium-Altitude Earth Orbiting Search and Rescue (MEOSAR) satellites.
The Air Force will continue to provide expertise on inland search and rescue, based on its experience coordinating those operations.
The Coast Guard and Air Force will share the program costs equally.
Read more here:
https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/4318183/coast-guard-takes-charge-of-the-search-and-rescue-satellite-aided-tracking-sars/