ELT
Location System Operation
1 - Emergency beacons are
activated in situations of "grave and imminent danger" when lives are at risk.
2
- Emergency messages received by the satellites are retransmitted to 38 automatic (unmanned) ground stations worldwide. These stations are called Local User Terminals (LUTs). 3 - The received |
4 - After validation
processing, alerts are then relayed depending on beacon location or country of
registration (406 MHz beacons only) to either
another MCC or to the appropriate Rescue Coordination Center (RCC).
5 - RCCs in the United States are operated by the Coast Guard and the Air Force. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at
Langley AFB, VA coordinates all inland SAR activities in the lower 48 states. In most
situations, the actual search and rescue is carried out by the Civil Air Patrol or local rescue services. The U.S. Coast
Guard coordinates and conducts most maritime SAR missions from several RCCs located around
the country.
5(in Alaska) - Alaskan inland rescues are handled differently. The Air Force operates an
Alaskan Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) in Anchorage. Alaskan SAR is carried out by Air
National Guard units and local authorities.
The U.S. portion of the Cospas-Sarsat
System is operated by the NOAA SARSAT Office in Suitland, Maryland. The U.S. Mission
Control Center (USMCC) is located there. Additional information on the System including
the latest U.S. and worldwide lives saved can be obtained from this NOAA address.
More information about the Cospas-Sarsat System may be obtained from the international London based Cospas-Sarsat
Secretariat.
Special thanks to David W. Affens of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center / Search
and Rescue Mission office for assistance in developing this page.
If you would like more information about ELTs and EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons), try the following links:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center SAR Mission Office
COPAS/SARSAT Emergency Beacons
AFRCC (Air Force Rescue Coordination Center)
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