U.S. Mission Control Center

Overview
The U.S. Mission Control Center (USMCC) serves as the focal point of U.S. Cospas-Sarsat alert data. It also performs the role of coordinating spacecraft operations. The USMCC is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and co-located with NOAA's Satellite Operations Control Center (SOCC) in Suitland, MD. The operation is manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, the vast majority of alert data distribution is handled automatically. The USMCC is administered by the Direct Services Branch of NOAA which also represents U.S. interests in international Cospas-Sarsat meetings.