Using Space Technology for Disaster Monitoring, Mitigation and Damage Assessment

Abstract

The theme of this chapter is how space technologies and satellite applications can mitigate the impact of natural and man-made disasters. The objective is to provide the reader with an overview of the most important space technologies for both monitoring and telecommunications and to shown the main issues in managing a disaster response. The chapter is divided into three parts. Firstly, the potential of remote sensing satellites related to natural disasters is described. Then, in the second part of the chapter, the strength and the weakness of space-based telecommunication architectures for the emergency and recovery phase are outlined. Finally, international policies currently applied for emergency management and disaster recovery will be described trying to individuate the needs for an optimal provision of information and accessibility of space related services and coordination of existing in-orbit assets in case of disaster.