Satellites play a decisive role in efficient communications systems

Can Space help in the case of a catastrophe? What are the needs of the professionals who have to intervene on the ground ? The European Space Agency and the Directorate of Civil Defence and Security (DDSC) have started a collaboration on this important question which recent tragedies have put under the spotlight.

The aim is to find a European consensus on the actions required to enable full and complete use of space telecommunications in civil protection. To do this a questionnaire has been sent to civil protection institutions. It asks questions on how space telecommunications is used in these organisations and how often, its strengths and weaknesses, future use and about the use of space telecommunications in training.

The opinions and contributions will be gathered and analysed and a summary and recommendations made. The summary will be distributed to all Member States for comment and prior agreement.

In our increasingly complex societies where new threats continue to arise, we are faced daily with ever higher expectations from our citizens on matters of security in general and of civil protection in particular. In fulfilling these functions, control and development of robust and efficient communications systems, especially satellite communications, have a decisive role to play.

The need to sustain user demand is a central focus of the Space strategy being implemented by ESA and the European Commission (EC). The measure of success of any initiative in this area will be the capability to develop services that are of direct benefit to citizens.

The results of the survey will be presented, and recommendations submitted for approval, to the heads of civil protection authorities during a one-day conference planned for 29 April 2005 at the Palais du Luxembourg – 15 ter, rue de Vaugirard in Paris VI.

For more information, please contact:
Pierluigi Mancini
Applications Strategy Manager
European Space Agency
Tel: +33(0)1 53 69 7362