Title: An overview on the use of satellite communications for disaster management and emergency response

Authors: Serdar Kose; Enes Koytak; Yusuf S. Hascicek

Addresses: United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER), United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Herman Ehlers Str.10, D-53133, Bonn, Germany; Greinon Engineering A.B., Ideon Science Park, Scheelevägen 15, SE-223 70, Lund, Sweden ' United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER), United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Herman Ehlers Str.10, D-53133, Bonn, Germany; Turksat A.S., Konya yolu 40 Km, Golbasi, Ankara, Turkey ' United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER), United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Herman Ehlers Str.10, D-53133, Bonn, Germany; Turksat A.S., Konya yolu 40 Km, Golbasi, Ankara, Turkey

Abstract: In disaster situations, communication is vital to organise and coordinate Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. In some disasters it may not be possible to use the existing terrestrial communication network due to damaged infrastructure, broken cables and/or energy sources, overload on the network, or non-existing communication network. To overcome the damaged/congested network problem and support the SAR activities to mitigate effects of the disaster, satellite communication is used, since it provides a robust, reliable, flexible, easy to deploy capacity, high bandwidth, and a long coverage range. This paper is an overview of the use of satellite communications for the disaster management and emergency response. This paper is intended to be a general resource and capacity building for the disaster managers and responders.

Keywords: satellite communications; search and rescue; SAR; emergency response; disaster response; terrestrial communications; communications networks; damaged infrastructures; broken cables; energy sources; network overload; non-existing networks; damaged networks; congested networks; high bandwidth; long coverage; disaster managers; disaster responders; Tohoku earthquake; Great East Japan Earthquake; earthquakes; natural disasters; tsunamis; Fukushima Daiichi; nuclear disasters; nuclear power plants; disaster management; emergency management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2012.051647

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2012 Vol.8 No.4, pp.350 - 382

Received: 06 Aug 2011
Accepted: 06 Aug 2012

Published online: 25 Jan 2013 *

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