SARP-3
The Search And Rescue Processor (SARP-3) instrument is one of the complement of American instruments provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to fly on MetOp-1 and 2.
SARP-3 receives and processes emergency signals from the 406 MHz beacons of aircraft and ships in distress. It determines the name, frequency and time of the signal. These pre-processed data are then fed in real time to the Search And Rescue Repeater (SARR) instrument for immediate transmission to SARSAT (Search and Rescue Satellite) distress terminals on the ground.
This means that with a 406 MHz beacon, a distress message can be sent to the appropriate authorities from anywhere on Earth 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
SARP-3 is provided by Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) Toulouse, France and developed by Thales Elancourt, France, and Alcatel Space Toulouse, France.