What satellite system do EPIRBs utilize?

EPIRBs, or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons, utilize the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system to provide search and rescue capabilities. This international program is designed to detect and locate emergency beacons activated in distress situations, allowing for swift response by rescue services.

COSPAS-SARSAT works by receiving signals from various types of emergency beacons, including EPIRBs, and relaying the location of these signals to rescue coordination centers. The system operates through a network of low Earth orbit satellites, providing global coverage and ensuring that distress signals can be detected regardless of the beacon's location.

The other options refer to different systems or organizations that do not specifically handle the emergency positioning aspect provided by EPIRBs. While GPS can help in accurate positioning, it is not the system that facilitates the distress signaling and location tracking that COSPAS-SARSAT is specifically designed for. NOAA provides various services related to weather and marine information, but it does not operate a satellite network for EPIRB distress signals. GMDSS relates to maritime communication systems and safety protocols but does not encompass the satellite-initiated emergency signal system that COSPAS-SARSAT manages.