Cospas-Sarsat

An international satellite system that detects and locates compatible 406 MHz distress beacons and relays alerts to search-and-rescue authorities.

Satellites and ground stations process alerts from EPIRBs, personal locator beacons and emergency locator transmitters. Encoded identity and, where available, GNSS position are routed through mission control centres to the appropriate rescue coordination centre.

The system does not itself conduct the rescue. Beacon registration, correct coding, self-testing, battery replacement and responsible activation materially affect the speed and quality of the response.