Satellites Helped Rescue 300 People in the US Last Year

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A US-run satellite network called SARSAT was involved in 300 rescues in the United States and its waters last year, most of them at sea, according to new figures from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The system picks up distress signals from special beacons and immediately sends the information to coordination centers run by the Air Force and Coast Guard, leading to the rescue of frostbitten skiers, sinking sailors, and more.

Why it matters

The SARSAT satellite network is a critical tool for search and rescue operations, helping to quickly locate and assist people in distress on land, in the air, and at sea. These rescues underscore the importance of satellite technology in saving lives, especially in remote or hard-to-reach areas.

The details

In 2025, the SARSAT system was involved in 300 rescues in the United States, with 183 people pulled from the water, 47 rescued from aviation incidents, and 70 located on land. Florida had the most rescues with 71, followed by Alaska and Wyoming. Since its launch in 1982, the global SARSAT program has been credited with more than 63,000 rescues worldwide, with nearly 20% of them taking place in the US.

• In March 2025, SARSAT helped find a frostbitten skier stranded in Colorado's San Juan Mountains.
• In December 2025, SARSAT helped rescue two sailors and their dog on a sinking catamaran off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.