Space Technology and Applications for Disaster Management

Abstract

Space based systems have unambiguously demonstrated their capability in providing vital information and services in a disaster situation. Earth observation satellites provide comprehensive, synoptic and multi temporal coverage of large areas in real time and at frequent intervals and thus have become valuable monitoring tools. The most important applications of satellites are in detecting, providing and delivering early warnings through earth observations, data relay, navigation, and communication capabilities. Satellites are particularly suited to deliver locale-specific disaster warning and communications to remote, rural and under-developed areas. With the experience gained through pilot scale studies and operational use of Space data, the concept of a space based observation and communication system for disaster management is being evolved. The most important step is to assess the overall requirements of users at various levels and the delivery mechanisms that could provide the services effectively. The elements of such a system therefore will consist of: (i) database design (ii) near real time monitoring/mapping (iii) modelling tools and framework (iv) networking solutions and (v) multi-agency interface. A review of the existing capabilities of space systems and a proto-type design of an information system is made in this paper.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

K V Venkatachary

K V Venkatachary after obtaining postgraduate degree in Electronics Engineering from Indian Institute of Science joined Indian Space Research Organisation. Over the past three decades, he has worked in several capacities in ISRO and contributed to its programmes.

One of the major contributions by him has been the establishment of the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking & Command Network (ISTRAC) for operational support to satellites. With his guidance, the Centre has become one of the state-of-the-art facilities in the world and is supporting several global satellite missions.

Subsequently over the past 6 years, he is associated with the concept study and establishment of a Disaster Management Support Programme in ISRO. Through several pilot scale studies, the programme has graduated to become one of the thrust areas of work in ISRO in the coming years.

Shri Venkatachary was conferred the ASI award for the year 1999 by Astronautical Society of India in recognition of his contributions in the area of space system management.

B Manikiam

B Manikiam took his Doctoral degree from IIT, Madras and worked in the India Meteorological Department on the applications of Satellite data to weather & climate studies.

In 1984 he joined the Indian Space Research Programme. He was instrumental for developing the operational remote sensing programme under the National Natural Resources Management System, He has contributed to setting up of several facilities in the Central and State Government agencies and coordinated many national level projects.

Presently he is the Deputy Project Director for the Disaster Management Support Programme of ISRO and is organising an operational system using both remote sensing and communication capabilities of Space systems.

He has worked in the United Nations Programme at Bangkok for over an year and helped many countries in establishing remote sensing programmes. He has several publications in national and international journals.

S K Srivastava

Sanjay K Srivastava with MSc (Physics) from Patna University in 1984 and PhD from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi in 1989, started his professional career with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) HQ Banagloie in 1991. Since then, he has been working in the areas related to remote sensing applications. His interest lies in hyperspectral and microwave imaging for variety of newer applications. He has made valuable contributions in the areas of disaster management, especially development of space based disaster management support programme at ISRO. In the areas of space technology applications towards poverty alleviation and disaster management, he has also been the expert consultant for United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP). Dr Srivastava has got more than 50 papers published in several journals.