The Satellite-enhanced eHealth for sub-Saharan Africa (eHSA) Programme intends to deliver economically sustainable eHealth services in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The programme.s to federate stakeholders from various organizations along the service provision chain will shape its success. This portal serves as a tool facilitating exchange of news, contacts and discussion among the stakeholders.

Background

Sub-Saharan Africa is characterized by its wide geographic extent, low population density, and vast rural areas. These factors, coupled with the drastic shortage in healthcare workers render eHealth an effective solution for the provision of healthcare in SSA. eHealth shows considerable potential for the delivery of significant and measurable improvements to health outcomes in the region.

Based on the outputs of the Telemedicine Task Force (TTF), which was initiated in Brussels in 2006, ESA began investigating the potential role of satellite-enhanced eHealth solutions and services in Africa. As an institution with no commercial interest, ESA has tried to realise the vision of the TTF and their recommendations. Currently, ESA.s SAHEL demonstration project is showing the capabilities of space technology to support the deployment of eHealth solutions in sub-Saharan Africa. This is being done in rural areas where the penetration of conventional ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) is scant. The development of sustainable eHealth services requires not only demonstrations, but also an understanding of the sub-Saharan African landscape. Additionally, the involvement of key African public and private organisations (stakeholders) is needed in order to create of a sense of African ownership over any proposed solution. These are the objectives of the eHSA programme.

In light of the magnitude of the required actions, and the common end goals of helping attain the United Nations. (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), it is to the benefit of all involved stakeholders to build upon each other.s. work, networks, events, strategies, and ideas. Since the provision eHealth services is a broader undertaking than traditional healthcare, it is important to realise that the stakeholders required for the success of the programme are not just the medical community and Health ministries, but also include others coming from many other sectors, a few examples of which include ICT, academic, financial, research, and government.

The goals set out for the eHSA programme are very ambitious. This portal intends to be used by the various stakeholders involved in eHealth in the SSA region to facilitate contacts amongst them and publish news, documentation, events, and programme outputs for the benefit of the community.

Advances made in the fields of science, medicine and technology have contributed to the  prevention and treatment of disease, improving the quality and expectancy of life. However, billions of people living in underdeveloped countries do not benefit from these improvements.

SAFE Haiti is a project designed for regions where access to health care is challenged due to insufficient health personnel and expertise, lack of infrastructures, communication and information.

Introduction

The massive earthquake that affected areas surrounding Port-au-Prince in January 2010 has left its mark on the population, emphasising existing healthcare challenges. Two years later, there are regions in the country where communities cannot access a health unit in a timely manner. This scenario is common to many other regions around the world.

Access to accurate and timely information is crucial in healthcare. The distances that have to be travelled without knowing whether the appropriate expertise and medication is available accounts for some of the barriers from a patient.s point-of-view. From a national health system.s perspective, knowing what is occurring where provides important information for informed decision-making to help direct the proper resources and ultimately save lives.

The Pilot Study

The Institute for Space Medicine (MEDES) in France and Local Insight Global Impact (LIGI) in Portugal have successfully concluded a 5-month pilot project of an innovative health initiative - SAFE Haiti - funded by ESA and LIGI.

The system is based on an interface for smart and satellite phones and aims at ensuring universal community health outreach, epidemiological surveillance and outbreak prevention in real time.

Due to its intuitive interface, anyone anywhere can be trained to report symptoms and signs. As complex information is packed into an SMS, the costs are kept to a minimum, and the information can be sent by any phone, including satellite phones. The data can then be accessed by local and national health systems via an internet portal. Feedback on what action to take can be given within a few minutes.

The system also allows for geo-referencing thanks to satellite navigation signals, and is flexible enough to be adapted to other regions, and to focus either on specific pathologies, or to conduct general triages.

The pilot system was deployed in Carrefour and relied on 10 school teachers from urban and rural areas in the region, with the support of community leaders. The main objectives were to understand the interface usability, the capacity to train non-health professionals in its use, and to provide insights for integration at local and national levels.

The video below showcases the training and usage of the system by non-health professionals (teachers) in Carrefour, Haiti.

During the 5-month proof-of-concept a total of 4304 symptom declarations were entered by the 10 teachers. We have shown that the interface is easy to use, and that non-health professionals (in this case teachers from rural and urban areas in Carrefour) can be trained to use the system. In particular, geo-tagging of symptom records thanks to satellite navigation signals, simplified the data collection process.

A significant share of the Haitian population is still not covered by terrestrial means, and satellite communication is deemed indispensable to scale up the system nation-wide. In addition, Haiti is very exposed to hurricanes and earthquakes, which lead to major losses in the capacity of terrestrial communication assets. In those emergency situations satellite phones prove invaluable.  The local health centre has emphasised the value added of this system to their work, particularly if coupled with a mobile clinic.

Furthermore, real time data can help detect trends in symptoms and signs and lead to early detection of potential outbreaks. From an epidemiological perspective, the data generated can identify trends in regions.

The project was focussed on a technical and acceptability assessment and was carried out successfully. Subsequent phases of this system may include all health units, care providers (including organisations), relevant authorities and pharmacies.

It can ultimately make basic healthcare more universal by making a more efficient and cost-effective use of resources, information and knowledge. Due to the context in Haïti, an operational service has to rely on the programs of donors. First contacts have been taken to ensure a sustainable follow up of the SAFE Haïti project.

More Information

For more information about the work please visit MEDES and LIGI´s websites.

ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and EIB Vice President Philippe de Fontaine Vive Curtaz today signed  the Space for Mediterranean Countries Initiative agreement.
The two organisations will work together towards satellite-based services bridging the digital divide and aiming at bringing economic growth to the Mediterranean region.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) assists the economic and social development of partner countries in the South and East Mediterranean. It has invested .13 billion through its operations in this region since 2002, supported 2300 small- and medium-sized enterprises, which created 30 000 jobs, and mobilised about .35 billion of additional capital together with international financing institutions, bilateral agencies and the private sector in order to advance the development of the region.

The EIB has also granted more than 102 million for technical assistance operations to build knowledge and capacity.

In particular the current initiative received the support of the FEMIP (Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership) Trust Fund, originally established in 2004, whose main objective is to support private sector development in the Mediterranean partner countries.

On ESA's side, the Integrated Applications Promotion (IAP) programme aims to provide new, sustainable services in close partnership with end users, through the development of applications that rely on a combination of existing space and terrestrial systems.

IAP has created a network of Ambassador Platforms who promote space applications to a broad range of  user communities that are often not aware of the benefits that space technologies can bring to them. 

For instance there are Ambassador Platforms for themes such as eHealth (with Norway), enhanced mobility (UK), renewable energy (Spain) and water management (Netherlands).

To support the Space for Med initiative, ESA and Luxinnovation, Luxembourg's  National Agency for Innovation and Research,  in coordination with EIB have created a new Ambassador Platform located in Luxembourg.

Under the direction of Dr Mathias Link, it will focus on awareness and promotion activities to show how space can improve key infrastructure in the Mediterranean regions, particularly for water management, energy and renewable energy, as well  as transport and logistics.

The objective is to develop projects in partnership with user communities, thereby ensuring that the services proposed are operationally sustainable.

"I am convinced that an increased dialogue and coordination between ESA and EIB is of mutual interest to our organisations", said Mr Dordain.

"It will allow to expand the use of  satellite based applications or the benefit of people and of the economy".

"We hope that this first step will lead to more and better projects for the Mediterranean region, to show Europe.s leadership in complex technologies and support for SMEs in this area", said Mr de Fontaine Vive Curtaz.

"EIB and ESA will work together for the greater good, including to improve the efficiency of major infrastructure investments, reduce pollution and work toward a safer Mediterranean sea. This is why I call on other countries to join this initiative".

About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe's gateway to space. ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA develops the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities. Today, it launches satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and astronomy, sends probes to the far reaches of the Solar System and cooperates in the human exploration of space.

About the European Investment Bank

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the EU owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals.

The EIB, through its facility for partnership with Mediterranean countries, FEMIP, has undertaken since 2002 to support in very tangible terms its partners economic and social development, in order to improve the living conditions of their citizens an undertaking that has constantly been reaffirmed over the years, resulting in an overall investment of more than 13 billion. This resulted in support for projects in the key sectors of industry, energy, transport and water, to which EIB added value through its advice and technical and financial expertise, allied to the stepping-up of its bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

For further information, please contact:

ESA Media Relations Office
Communication Department
Tel: +33 1 53 69 72 99
Fax: +33 1 53 69 76 90
Email: media@esa.int

EIB Press Office
Tel: +352 43 79 21000
Fax: +352 43 79 61000
Email: press@eib.org

Introduction

Two web pages introducing studies addressing the optimising of intermodal freight transport through European ports have recently been uploaded to iap.esa.int.  Known as iPort and EuroPORT , these studies will examine the feasible and viable options of a satellite-based solution to assist users in streamlining their operations.

One of the major challenges for users is the ability to plan the arrival and departure of the different modes of transportation in such a way that containers can be transferred from ships to trucks or from ships to trains without delays.

Delays in ports can be caused by late incoming vessels, late arrivals of trucks due to congestion or port operational issues due to high winds closing crane operations due to safety considerations. The knock on effects to such delays can be considerable and impact all modes of transportation. For example,  if a ship is delayed berthing then the supply chain of  freight transportation coming to the port for that vessel  must be re-planned for the delay.

As a result, empty vehicles often run pointless routes back to the ports when an export or empty container could have been picked up through re allocation of access slots to ports, optimisation of routes and understanding of ETAs to save these wasted journeys taking place.

The Studies

The iPort solution consists of a cloud platform and infrastructure which will receive data from all external systems such as traffic and port systems, relevant for freight transport through ports. An API layer will provide an interface for existing systems, portable devices with the users and the web application/portal. The portable devices and web portal will both utilise satellite navigation (GPS) and satellite communications technology.

The EuroPORT study will start by identifying and engaging the user and stakeholder community at European level in order to define a set of requirements. Based on gaps and challenges of current operating solutions, needs and constraints affecting the routing and scheduling of intermodal freight transport through ports will be identified and a set of user requirements will be derived. In a state of the art analysis existing terrestrial and space based technologies, solutions and services will be identified that are able to comply with the user requirements and which will then become subject for further integration and investigation.

Main Benefits

The results of these studies should demonstrate the benefits of utilising existing satellite technologies in support of optimising freight transport through ports. The use of these technologies will provide better visibility of a freight’s positioning to all stakeholders during land transport whereas currently not all stakeholders are able to track the freight at every stage in the delivery journey. This clarity and precision will allow for accurate status of delivery through the duration of the process and greater security because all freight is traceable at all times.

For more information about iPort and EuroPORT, click here or see the links in the column to the right.

A one-shop-stop solution for affordable access to satellite services is one step closer to the marketplace, thanks to a little ingenuity from industry and ESA.s SATCOM-APPS Newcomers Initiative programme.

This solution, developed by YELLOWSAT (FR), combines low-cost tracking terminals, real-time Monitor&Control features and capacity from satellites operating on extended lifetime in inclined orbits.

Capacity from such satellites is typically sold at a fraction of the cost, but tracking these satellites can get expensive due to the added complexities - such as a closed loop control system - required for tracking stations. Through the ESA SMall Autonomous Re-pointing and Tracking station (SMART) project, YELLOWSAT was able to further develop its system to track satellites placed in inclined orbits using an open-loop solution.

The SMART solution eliminates the need for complex antenna closed-loop controller/beacon receiver equipment. Combined with the use of off-the-shelf DC actuators and high-performance motor control electronics, the SMART project has demonstrated that the YELLOWSAT open-loop tracking solution is effective and reliable.

Several terminals covering both Ku-band and C-band have been validated for use on both Single Channel per Carrier (SCPC) and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) platforms such as DVB-RCS and iDirect on inclined orbits. The solution offers access to the orbit models of all inclined satellites, making it easy for the end-user to quickly repoint the terminal to any of the inclined (and non-inclined) satellites in the field-of-view.

Other objectives of the ESA project included the industrialisation of 1.2m Ku-band and 2.4m C-band terminals in order to further reduce the costs as well as the development of a Monitor&Control service. All of these accomplishments were finalised in April 2012. YELLOWSAT is now able to offer a comprehensive service package including tracking terminals on SCPC and TDMA platforms, satellite capacity and Monitor&Control features at competitive costs.

Since July 2011, two SCPC C-band stations are fully operational in Congo Brazzaville on the inclined orbit NSS 703 satellite linked to the hub at YELLOWSAT premises in Vitry (FR). Two other C-Band stations are planned to be installed in Congo Brazzaville this year.

.The SMART project has obtained important results in a short time-frame and with limited resources. This further highlights the effectiveness of the ESA ARTES 3-4 Newcomers Initiative to support SMEs in developing innovative applications and bring them to the market,. says Davide Tomassini, ESA technical officer for the SMART project.

A second increase in capital for about 2.7MEUR has been acquired by YELLOWSAT thanks to a partnership with Magellan Industries. This will allow the company to further explore its options in the competitive satcom marketplace.

.The contribution of ESA expertise for the management of the SMART project in the critical areas of terminal development and industrialisation, validation of TDMA compatibility and development of a centralised Monitor&Control platform was key to YELLOWSAT, especially in the early stages,. explains Daniel Tits, technical director of YELLOWSAT. .It demonstrates that ESA can be very useful in helping SME.s to develop sustainable services for the highly demanding space industry..

More information about YELLOWSAT and ESA.s Newcomers Initiative can be found by clicking on the links in the column to the right.

The Integrated Applications Promotion programme (IAP) in the Directorate of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications is now re-advertising a vacancy for an Internal Research Fellowship with a starting date in Autumn 2012. The Research Fellowship will be based at Harwell in the UK. The focus of the fellowship is on applications development; as such it is relevant for applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds, which may include economics, business studies, commerce, geography, ITC, or a specific industry sector with a potential need for space-based services. Expertise in space science and technology, whilst preferred, is not a pre-requisite.

About the European Space Agency and the Integrated Applications Promotion (IAP) programme

The European Space Agency is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver ever more benefits to all the citizens of Europe.

The objective of ESA’s Integrated Applications Promotion (IAP) programme is the development of operational services for a wide range of users. By integrating different space assets (Earth Observation, satellite communication, satellite navigation, manned space technologies), new and improved services can be created on a regional or global scale.  The programme responds to real user needs in a wide variety of sectors such as health, safety, energy, transport, finance and development.

The main aim of the fellowship is to  research and identify opportunities for new, space-based applications in one or more sectors and to help stimulate the development of new applications  and services to meet user needs. In order to carry out his/her function the Research Fellow will work within a dedicated team.

Duties

The Research Fellow will report to the Head of the Applications Business Office in Harwell, near Oxford. He or she will be responsible for research activities within one or more of the target sectors of the Integrated Applications Promotion (IAP) programme (see http://iap.esa.int/projects/all for more details).

Candidates may make an application envisaging one of two possible orientations to the fellowship. If their expertise is in a discipline that can be applied to many different sectors (e.g. economic analysis), then their work while in post is likely to follow that logic and be used to research the potential for new applications in several different markets. If their expertise is sector-specific (e.g. maritime safety and security), then their application should make clear that this is their intended area of focus. There may be some cases (e.g. intelligent transport systems) where their expertise may cut across several sectors but will not be applicable to all. Again, any such intended focus should be made clear in the application.

Subject to the above, the Research Fellow will have as his/her main research activities:

• Research in a chosen sector or discipline, to assist in the establishment of one or more IAP projects (examples of sectors that might be addressed include but are not limited to Renewable Energy; Intelligent Transport, Smart Cities, Machine to Machine (M2M),  Internet of Things (IOT); Insurance/Reinsurance; Maritime Safety and Security).
• Researching user requirements and market potential for integrated applications within new Regional or Thematic markets.
• Identification of appropriate Space Capabilities (EO, navigation and telecoms) and how they should be combined with terrestrial systems to create end-to-end solutions.
• Liaison with industry (suppliers, developers) to identify state-of-the-art and new developments that may be of use for space-based integrated applications.
• Identification of technological and other gaps, in order to propose future developments, missions or systems.
• Supporting preparation of promotional materials and workshops to build awareness among user communities, to identify opportunities and to federate demand.

Qualifications

Applicants must have recently attained their doctorate or be close to successfully completing such studies in fields that can be applied to the development of applications and services for one or more of the target sectors for IAP. This might include business, commerce, economic analysis, Geographical Information Systems or the commercialisation of space technology. Expertise in space science and technology (e.g. satellite communications, satellite navigation or earth observation) is preferred but is not a pre-requisite. Experience of applications development is particularly valuable.

The candidate should be proficient in MS Office packages.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of English is required for this post.

Other attributes required by the candidate include:

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Creativity and an innovative attitude.
• Good communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Ability to cope under pressure and ensure deadlines are met.
• Attention to detail.
• Good organisational skills.
• Results orientated, with a strong drive to deliver.
• Good team player but also self-motivated and able to plan and manage their own work.
• Able to work well in an international, multi-cultural environment.

How to Apply

Information on the ESA Research Fellowship Programme and the application form are available at:
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Careers_at_ESA/SEMICLRTJRG_0.html.
Applicants should send their application as described on the ESA web site (CV, covering letter, description of the research interest, list of publications and the filled-out RF application form) to: Alan.Brunstrom@esa.int as well as temp.htr@esa.int. If not possible by email, the reference letters can also be sent via normal mail to: ESTEC HR Division, HFI-HTR, ESA/ESTEC; Keplerlaan 1, PO Box 299, 2200AG Noordwijk ZH, The Netherlands).

Applications satisfying the general conditions for eligibility, to be submitted by Thursday 12th July,  will be evaluated and successful applicants will be invited for an interview.

Details on the Demonstration of Space Services Benefits in Aviation Systems (S²BAS) IAP project have been published to iap.esa.int. S²BAS is a project that will investigate improving access and operations in small and regional airports that cannot afford the expensive cost of conventional navigation means.

Small and mid-sized airports face many challenges. Airport traffic is unevenly distributed over the day; general aviation traffic directed to minor airports cannot usually rely on the availability of flight information services, and in many cases general aviation aircraft flying inside non controlled airspaces cannot rely on air traffic controllers ensuring separation against other aircraft.

Another issue faced by small airports is the production Aerodrome Obstacle Charts. This must be done periodically to ensure the required level of safety ANSPs (Air Navigation Service Providers). Currently this is  done by the use of expensive aero photogrammetric techniques and on-site surveys by traditional topographic techniques.

S²BAS works toward a solution for these issues through the use of available satellite technology.

Satellite-based services used in S²BAS are:

• GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) based navigation assistance in the terminal area to assist flight approaches.
• Production and distribution of Aerodrome Obstacle charts by means of satellite based Earth Observation data, to provide the pilot with a 3D mapping of the landscape elements in the airport’s proximity.
• Satellite communications for remote airport management and control.

Key issues that will be addressed with this project include:

Navigation assistance: The S²BAS system aims at providing VFR pilots with satellite navigation solutions enabling the use of area navigation, based on dedicated GNSS routes and procedures, even for small and low-cost aircrafts.

Lack of up-to-date flight information: The S²BAS system aims at providing a specific Information Service, called General Information Service Broadcast, capable of broadcasting, via air-ground data-link, up-to-date meteorological (e.g. METAR), aeronautical (e.g. NOTAM), airport and touristic information.

Lack of traffic information on-board:  S²BAS  aims at increasing traffic situation awareness by providing pilots with surrounding traffic information via a CDTI (Cockpit Display of Traffic Information) on-board.

Detection of obstacles in the airport area: The S²BAS system will exploit an innovative technique relying on satellite based earth observation to enable automatic, more frequent and less expensive monitoring of the airport surroundings.

Airport air traffic services at (unmanned) minor airports:  Economy and safety considerations suggest centralizing the provision of “airport air traffic services” for a cluster of minor airports. In this perspective the S²BAS system aims at providing a solution to co-locate several air traffic and aerodrome handling services to a single (remote) centre. S²BAS encompasses the use of satellite based internet-like communication links in case of airports not covered by any terrestrial communication infrastructure.

Prime contractor for this project is Techno Sky (IT).  Click here for complete details of the S²BAS project or see the links in the column to the right.

Together with the Swiss Space Office, the European Space Agency’s Integrated Applications Promotion (IAP) programme wishes to announce a vacancy for a Swiss ESA IAP Ambassador Platform manager. This manager will be responsible for the Swiss IAP Ambassador Platform (AP), and will start their duties on 1st October 2012.

Integrated Applications Promotion

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver ever more benefits to all the citizens of Europe.

An element of ARTES Applications, the objective of ESA’s Integrated Applications Promotion (IAP) programme is the development of operational services for a wide range of users through the combination of different systems. By using and integrating different space assets (Satellite Communication, Satellite Navigation, Earth Observation, Manned Space Technologies), improved or new services on a regional, national or European scale can be created. Intrinsic to these new applications is the added value of space and the long-term sustainability of the resulting services. The programme thereby responds to user needs in areas such as health, safety, energy, transport and development.

Role & Objectives of the Swiss IAP Ambassador Platform

The main roles and objectives of an Ambassador Platform (AP) within its sector or region of responsibility are to:

• Spread and increase awareness of IAP amongst communities not normally familiar with ESA’s space programmes, to inform potential stakeholders, and to galvanize their interest in these programmes;
• Federate the demand so as to obtain the critical mass capable to justify the satellite applications and result in sustainable services;
• Motivate/stimulate the relevant stakeholders to submit viable proposals, and/or to propose partnerships with ESA, where IAP might be instrumental in filling their operational gaps;
• Be an ‘honest broker’ between ESA’s relevant opportunities on the one hand, and the stakeholders (e.g. solution/service providers, user communities, potential partners) interested in participating and/or partnering in these programmes on the other hand.

Main tasks of the Ambassador Platform

• Set up relations with users/stakeholders (institutions, decision makers, co-financers, service providers, solution providers, etc.).
• Organise workshops and awareness events to serve the relevant users/stakeholders.
• Co-administer an IAP community portal representing the activities of the Ambassador Platform.

Who should apply?

Candidates should have a good understanding across the broad range of space applications relevant to IAP. They should have experience and a strong capability in partnership building, organising workshops and stimulating proposals for the IAP programme from Swiss industry and the user community. Particularly important is the role of identifying new users, understanding their needs and translating those needs into partnerships with industry as well as proposals for new activities.

Candidates should also possess good communication skills, be able to manage relationships, work in a team and be self-motivated and disciplined.

The AP is expected to play a “neutral” role in the IAP programme, acting as a hub between ESA, industry and the user community. The Swiss AP might be hosted by any relevant entity compatible with the IAP programme goal and mandate. The AP manager functionality will be ensured possibly via a full time mandate. Alternatively, ad hoc arrangements may be envisaged according to the identified candidate.

How to apply?

If you or your institution is interested in responding to the Swiss Ambassador Platform vacancy, please send your CV with a covering letter, description of any specific thematic areas of interest for the AP role, and a list of publications to iap@esa.int before 30th July 2012. The duration for the role of AP is foreseen to be one year at first with the potential for a one year extension (1+1). ESA, the Swiss Space Office and the AP will mutually decide on the option for renewal before the end of this period.
More information on Ambassador Platforms is also available by downloading the Official Information Flyer.

The Integrated Applications Promotion (IAP) programme of the European Space Agency (ESA)  is inviting public and commercial end-user organisations to propose ideas and suggestions for new services in Critical Infrastructure as defined below. The aim is to generate ideas leading to services that will improve business performance and operations, help enforce new regulatory standards, or enable improved resilience.
The ideas will be used to help define and consolidate requirements for user-driven services supported through the IAP programme.

Critical Infrastructures

Critical Infrastructures can be defined as those handling essential goods (e.g. water, energy, food, confidential information) and/or services (e.g. health, financial transactions or resilience services). Infrastructures are  critical when they represent key enablers in a large variety of economic sectors. Loss or damage of critical infrastructure would have a severe and widespread impact, e.g. disruption of supplies or services, injury or loss of human lives, risks to or destruction of the environment, breach of national security or economic interests.

Criticality is also determined by the level of endangerment the infrastructure is subject to, and by its vulnerability to such hazards. Infrastructures are particularly exposed to hazards when physically spread out, e.g. linear infrastructures such as pipelines. Hazards can be diffuse (e.g. low intensity hazards affecting infrastructure over a long period of time) or acute (e.g. sudden attacks, accidents, natural hazards). They can also be predictable (e.g. corrosion) or unpredictable (e.g. tsunami or terrorist attack).

Hazards to critical infrastructure need not only be physical. For instance, cyber attacks may damage internet-linked control systems that are related to critical infrastructures such as the electrical grid, water treatment facilities, refineries, pipelines and dams.

Critical infrastructures are most often man-made, such as power plants or airports. Yet they can also be natural. For example, wetlands are a  natural infrastructure that store water and thereby mitigate floods.

Critical infrastructures typically enable the production, processing, transportation, storage or protection of essential goods, as well as the provision of basic services such as:

• Water (e.g. water pipes, treatment plants, water towers, dykes, dams, canals).
• Food (e.g. roads, warehouses, ports).
• Energy (e.g. pipelines, refineries, energy grids, power plants).
• Confidential or critically sensitive information (e.g. telecommunication infrastructure).

• Health and well-being (e.g. hospitals, waste treatment plants).

• Environmental protection (e.g. pollution prevention, CO₂ storage).

Call for User Ideas

Themes that it is intended to cover in this Call for User Ideas include (but are not restricted to):

• Mitigation: Deployment of protective systems to prevent damage or disruption by resilience to hazards. For mitigation of cyber attacks this should include encryption techniques and other methods.
• Preparedness: Monitoring conditions and taking preventive actions, e.g. identification, monitoring & quantification of hazards, vulnerability and risks; infrastructure health monitoring; preventive maintenance.
• Response: Activation of emergency spare capacity to satisfy peak demand, or to back-up failed infrastructure, e.g. space telecommunications as a back-up communications infrastructure.
• Recovery: Supporting strategies minimising the propagation of negative effects caused after disruption such as evacuation of people and emergency repairs, and help in the assessment of damage caused to or by disrupted infrastructure.
• Any other promising topic.

How to participate?

The Call for User Ideas on Critical Infrastructure is driven purely by the users’ perspective and their needs. The ideas submitted will be used to help define and consolidate themes and priorities of future IAP projects. This may include both Feasibility Studies (through Open Competitions or Direct Negotiation), or directly through Demonstration Projects. 

Full details of the Call and on how to submit your ideas can be found here.

Your ideas and suggestions should reach us by 22nd June 2012.

Please be assured that all inputs will be treated confidentially. Your ideas are highly valued, and will help shape the IAP programme of ESA in order to meet your needs.

Communications via satellite are changing the way the forest industry harvests trees. A new approach being tested by ESA combines satcoms and cellular services to relay important information almost immediately so that fewer trees are used to produce more timber.

Irish company Treemetrics, in cooperation with ESA, is developing a new system via the ARTES 3-4 SATMODO project. The SATMODO system will be used to provide a data back-haul and communications platform for harvesting vehicles, whereby the harvesting work flow can be managed in near realtime to deliver a fully integrated management system to customers.

Managers can now send instructions directly to computers in the vehicles via satellite, instructing operators how to cut to make the best use of the trees.
All trees are not created equal. Some are more suited to be used to make pulp, while others are better suited as 'sawlogs'. for cutting into timber in a sawmill, making them more valuable.

Such trees are greater in diameter, straighter and have fewer knots. Cutting down valuable sawlog trees for producing pulp is a waste and reduces the crop's worth.
Treemetrics had already designed a new way to assess the value of a timber crop before harvest using 3D laser scanners to measure the shape, size and straightness of standing trees. The software produces .a cut instruction. file, based on the customer.s request, which tells the machine and its operator how to harvest the forest.

Until now, managers had to give harvesters the data they needed to cut trees via email, by phone, or face to face. Emailed information had to be manually entered into a control computer on the vehicle and uploaded every time the machine required a new instruction file.

Now, thanks to satcoms, ESA provides the missing link in the chain: SATMODO's two-way realtime or near-realtime connection with the harvesting machines.
By gathering information on what the actual timber yield is per hectare and sending back this information through SATMODO, the actual harvest can be determined almost in real time and amended on the spot, rather than waiting until after the entire forest has been cut.

SATMODO consists of a hybrid satellite/terrestrial wireless device installed in the vehicle, transmitting data in real time via the new Inmarsat IsatM2M service supporting two-way burst messaging over worldwide satellite coverage (except the poles), using L-band remote terminals with highly compact antennae.
SATMODO also provides a communications 'safety net' for harvesters who frequently work in remote locations. It keeps workers in constant contact in areas where land-based mobile networks simply won't work.

To test the SATMODO system, the hybrid device will be installed in 20 harvesting vehicles, allowing individual machines or groups of machines to be monitored. Harvesting workflow will be managed in near-realtime, creating a fully integrated management system.

Based in Cork, Ireland and endorsed by Ireland's Minister for Research and Innovation, Mr. Seán Sherlock, Treemetrics has spent years developing measurement and analytics technology to replace traditional forestry methods.
The company approached ESA through its Integrated Applications programme to help develop their technology further through the use of satellites.

 "ESA with its innovative integrated application platform is very pleased to support a great idea coming from this young entrepreneurship," said Amnon Ginati, the Head of the Integrated and Telecommunications-Related Applications Department at ESA.

"We are also very pleased with the endorsement that it is receiving both at a political level and from Enterprise Ireland."