Dedicated Phone Line Speeds Space Resources to the Rescue

October 27, 2000 - Starting November 1, countries mobilizing rescue and relief efforts to deal with natural or technological disasters can dial a dedicated telephone number to quickly access the space resources of the Canadian Space Agency(CSA), the French Space Agency (CNES) and the European Space Agency (ESA).

This confidential telephone number will be communicated to identified emergency relief and rescue authorities. When a natural disaster strikes, these relief and rescue coordinators will be able to contact an operator at ESRIN, an ESA centre located in Frascati, Italy, who will immediately contact engineers at the most appropriate space agency CSA, CNES or ESA, to quickly deploy space resources.

The targeted space agency will then coordinate the positioning of space resources of the three agencies providing critical support and assistance to rescue and relief efforts in the field. These space resources include the coordinated use of Earth Observation satellites like RADARSAT, SPOT, ERS and soon Envisat and ground facilities to produce data imaging. Other satellites supporting telecommunications, tele-medecine and navigation provide additional support and may help, for example, in the positioning of floating booms in the case of an oil spill. When launched, the Artemis and Stentor telecommunications satellites will add to these space resources enhancing the relay of satellite data to agencies and organizations on the ground.

The three space agencies will name a project manager who will maintain constant contact throughout the crisis with the requesting country, relief agency or organization while coordinating the effective deployment of these space resources. The available assistance offered to requesting agencies will also include the treatment and interpretation of the satellite imaging.

The creation of this dedicated direct telephone line was proposed on October 25, 2000, after the second meeting of the Board of the Charter on Disaster Management. The Charter, signed on June 20, 2000 by CNES and ESA, was enlarged on October 20, 2000 with the membership of the Canadian Space Agency. A far-reaching humanitarian initiative, the objectives of the Charter are to strengthen international cooperation by opening membership to all satellite operators around the world and to foster the development of a coordinated global response to requests for assistance from rescue and relief organizations. All partners undertake to develop their cooperation through the Charter on a voluntary basis, with no exchange of funds.

Other Sources:
- ESA