The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
Go to topicCarried on MetOp-A, the SARR (Search and Rescue Repeater)receives and downlinks emergency signals from aircraft and ships in distress. In addition, it provides a downlink for data received by the SARP-3 (Search And Rescue Processor) also on board MetOp-A. The SARR receives distress beacon signals in three separate frequencies, translates and retransmits them to Local User Terminals on the ground. These terminals process the signals, determine the location of the beacons and then forward this information to a Rescue Mission Control Centre.