Satellite services for disaster management and security applications

Advantages of communications satellites are the inherent broadcast capability, high bandwidth, reliability and flexibility in network expansion. Small transportable terminals can be made operational very quickly. Recent developments in communications and computer technology allow to provide low-cost equipment, which is affordable even in developing countries. Communications satellites can also play an important role in case of emergencies or natural disasters. The combination of satellite communications and navigation can support new services for emergency teams.

At the Institute of Applied Systems Technology and the Institute of Communication Networks and Satellite Communications highly transportable terminals have been developed, both for star and mesh network topologies. A fully meshed VSAT system is used for symmetrical links. For other applications, which do not require high return link capacity an asymmetrical system is an efficient solution. It uses low-cost DVB technology for the forward link and satellite phones with data capability on the return link. Novel multicast protocols allow to use these asymmetrical links in an efficient way. The paper describes the different systems and their applications in disaster management and security applications. Emphasis is put on transfer of remote sensing images and voice over IP (VoIP) as well as videoconference services.     

基于地震灾害的分层应急通信保障策略研究

近年来,我国每年因地震等自然灾害造成人员伤亡,财产损失是巨大的,震后电力中断、通信设备受损往往会造成通信盲区,给通信指挥、通信保障带来巨大挑战,因此加强震后应急通信保障策略研究成为政府、学者关注的重点.文章基于震后环境特点,结合通信业务需求及各类通信方式的特点提出一种分层应急通信保障策略,该策略首先依据灾区受损程度进行分层,分为全域、边缘以及核心层,按照卫星全域覆盖,无人机空基通信边缘覆盖,短波电台+应急通信车补充覆盖的通信保障理念进行通信保障,该策略相对于传统的应急通信保障方式具有快速高效集成,可操作性强,技术相对成熟等优点,对于提升应急通信保障效益具有一定促进作用.     

India's EO infrastructure for disaster reduction: Lessons and perspectives

India has established a ‘critical mass’ in terms of EO infrastructure for disaster management. Starting from IRS 1A in 1980s to the most recent CARTOSAT-2, India's EO series of satellites are moving away from the generic to thematic constellations. The series of RESOURCESAT, CARTOSAT, OCEANSAT and forthcoming Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) satellites exemplifies the thematic characters of the EO missions. These thematic constellations, characterized with multi-platform, multi-resolution and multi-parameter EO missions, are important assets for disaster reduction. In the more specific term, these constellations in conjunction with contemporary EO missions address the critical observational gaps in terms of capturing the catastrophic events, phenomena or their attributes on real/near real time basis with appropriate spatial and temporal attributes.Using conjunctively the data primarily emanating these thematic constellations and all weather radar data from aerial platform and also from RADARSAT as gap-fillers has been a part of India's EO strategy for disaster management. The infrastructure has been addressing the observational needs in disaster management. The high resolution imaging better than one-meter spatial resolution and also Digital Elevation Models (DEM) emanating from Cartosat series are providing valuable inputs to characterize geo-physical terrain vulnerability. Radar Imaging Satellite, with all weather capability missions, is being configured for disaster management. At present, the current Indian EO satellites cover the whole world every 40 h (with different resolutions and swaths), and the efforts are towards making it better than 24 h. The efforts are on to configure RESOURCESAT 3 with wider swath of 740 km with 23 m spatial resolution and also to have AWiFS type of capability at geo-platform to improve the observational frequencies for disaster monitoring.India's EO infrastructure has responded comprehensively to all the natural disasters the country has faced in the recent times. As a member of International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, India has also been instrumental in promoting the related UN initiatives viz., RESAP of UN ESCAP, SPIDER of UN OOSA, Sentinel Asia of JAXA initiative and also of GEOSS initiative. The paper intends to illustrate India's EO strategy for disaster reduction.     

基于地震灾害的分层应急通信保障策略研究

近年来,我国每年因地震等自然灾害造成人员伤亡,财产损失是巨大的,震后电力中断、通信设备受损往往会造成通信盲区,给通信指挥、通信保障带来巨大挑战,因此加强震后应急通信保障策略研究成为政府、学者关注的重点.文章基于震后环境特点,结合通信业务需求及各类通信方式的特点提出一种分层应急通信保障策略,该策略首先依据灾区受损程度进行分层,分为全域、边缘以及核心层,按照卫星全域覆盖,无人机空基通信边缘覆盖,短波电台+应急通信车补充覆盖的通信保障理念进行通信保障,该策略相对于传统的应急通信保障方式具有快速高效集成,可操作性强,技术相对成熟等优点,对于提升应急通信保障效益具有一定促进作用.     

基于地震灾害的分层应急通信保障策略研究

近年来,我国每年因地震等自然灾害造成人员伤亡,财产损失是巨大的,震后电力中断、通信设备受损往往会造成通信盲区,给通信指挥、通信保障带来巨大挑战,因此加强震后应急通信保障策略研究成为政府、学者关注的重点.文章基于震后环境特点,结合通信业务需求及各类通信方式的特点提出一种分层应急通信保障策略,该策略首先依据灾区受损程度进行分层,分为全域、边缘以及核心层,按照卫星全域覆盖,无人机空基通信边缘覆盖,短波电台+应急通信车补充覆盖的通信保障理念进行通信保障,该策略相对于传统的应急通信保障方式具有快速高效集成,可操作性强,技术相对成熟等优点,对于提升应急通信保障效益具有一定促进作用.     

Is space global disaster warning and monitoring now nearing reality?

It is now well established that the annual cost of natural disasters world-wide is in excess of $400 billion. Support of relief agencies and governments depends on the timely receipt of information on the scale and nature of these disasters, and much of this information comes from ground-based sources. It is also recognised, however, that significant input could be provided by space-based sensor systems, both for disaster warning as well as disaster monitoring. Recent major disasters have demonstrated that the scale of devastation cannot adequately be monitored from ground-based information sources alone. This paper addresses current developments in a study to provide a global space-based monitoring and information system, with the associated ability to provide advanced warning of many types of disaster. Also addressed are the latest developments in sensor technology (optical, IR, Radar) including a UK initiative in high resolution imaging from a microsatellite, the logistics and cost of such a system and the feasibility of using communications networks for providing the infrastructure for such a system.     

Dream project: Applications of earth observations to disaster risk management

The field of disaster risk management is relatively new and takes a structured approach to managing uncertainty related to the threat of natural and man-made disasters. Disaster risk management consists primarily of risk assessment and the development of strategies to mitigate disaster risk. This paper will discuss how increasing both Earth observation data and information technology capabilities can contribute to disaster risk management, particularly in Belize. The paper presents the results and recommendations of a project conducted by an international and interdisciplinary team of experts at the 2009 session of the International Space University in NASA Ames Research Center (California, USA). The aim is to explore the combination of current, planned and potential space-aided, airborne, and ground-based Earth observation tools, the emergence of powerful new web-based and mobile data management tools, and how this combination can support and improve the emerging field of disaster risk management. The starting point of the project was the World Bank’s Comprehensive Approach to Probabilistic Risk Assessment (CAPRA) program, focused in Central America. This program was used as a test bed to analyze current space technologies used in risk management and develop new strategies and tools to be applied in other regions around the world.