NOAA satellites played a crucial role in the rescue of 411 individuals from perilous situations in 2024 across the United States and its adjacent waters. These satellites, which also monitored significant events such as the Total Solar Eclipse and Hurricanes Helene and Milton, are integral to the global Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking System, known as COSPAS-SARSAT.

The system relies on a network of both U.S. and international spacecraft to identify and locate distress signals emitted from 406MHz emergency beacons. These beacons can be found on aircraft, boats, and personal locator devices worldwide.