Use of satellites in risk management

Benefits of satellites have been growing rapidly, extending from global monitoring to personal global positioning systems (GPS). We would be in a lost world without any know-how about weather conditions without satellites. Satellite applications including remote sensing are being commonly used in professional as well as consumer domains. To name a few, GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) and GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) have proved to be inexpensive instruments in the long run as they help us monitor and assess risk reduction policies. We heavily depend on satellites in our day to day life. Satellites come into use both for exploration and communication. Instruments installed in exploratory satellites help in measuring the density, temperature and ionization of the upper atmosphere. On the other hand, weather satellites support weather forecasting across the world. Briefly, here's the importance of satellites for disaster management, at the time of a natural calamity.

Satellites facilitate Communication

At the event of a natural catastrophe, communication remains the only way to facilitate humanitarian aid and emergency response. When every kind of terrestrial network falls apart during natural calamities, portable satellite terminal supporting two‐way communications from a disaster field comes in use. Moreover, a satellite dish can be easily installed even at the construction site, in the presence of a direct line of sight. Within few hours of a crisis, satellites provide essential communications and co-ordinates for relief efforts.

Satellites facilitate preparedness and relief

Satellites give effectivestorm warnings and predict the coming of floods. However, prediction of earthquakes still calls for considerable research. Space technologists and disaster-management specialists are required to work together to design specialised satellite systems.

Space-based solutions have increased manifold in the recent past. Prior evacuation of lakhs of people from the Indian states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh before Cyclone Phailin made landfall, holds testimony to this fact. Technologies including Earth observation satellites, meteorological satellites and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) play an important role in disaster management.

Satellites also help in taking excellent images, which comes in educative usage. An alternative to aerial photography, satellite images provide data very quickly. Satellites effectively help nations after a disaster as they are almost never vulnerable to natural or man-made disasters.

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