The ARTES 3-4 Satcom Applications programme of the European Space Agency (ESA) is inviting public and commercial organisations to propose ideas, suggestions and business innovations for space-based applications and services related to satellite communications addressing European and Global market segments. The aim is to generate ideas that will improve business performance and operations, help enforce new regulatory standards, or enable improved resilience.

The submissions will be reviewed by ESA to identify the most promising candidates for entering the next level of the ARTES 3-4 Satcom Applications programme, aiming at operational, self-sustaining and profitable solutions.

The ARTES 3-4 Satcom Applications programme has been created to support applications projects related to satellite telecommunications either originated by industry or in response to specific applications calls initiated by ESA. It aims to improve the competitive position of industry in ESA member states in the field of satellite telecommunications and in their associated utilisation. Being an element of the ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) programme it has successfully contributed to the development, qualification, and demonstration of applications since 1998.

Core themes which are covered in this Call for Ideas include (but are not limited to) the following areas:

• eHealth (e.g. eMobility, remote medical surveillance and diagnostics).
• Security (e.g. cyber security: improve resilience to cyber incidents and reduce the cyber threat).
• Transport (e.g. train control and monitoring, Unmanned Aircraft System operations).
• Consumer Applications (e.g. digital cinema, augmented reality).
• Emergency (e.g. coordinating rescue services).
• Capacity Building (e.g. telecentre for remote community development).
• eLearning (e.g. training teachers over satellite, virtual whiteboard).
• eGovernment (e.g. counting votes by computer with results transferred over satellite).
• Energy (e.g. meter readings via satellite, offshore oil and gas field monitoring).
• Media (e.g. news streaming from remote locations).
• Any other promising topic.

The ideas submitted will be used to identify with the proposer promising ARTES 3-4 Satcom Applications projects which will likely start in 2014. Both ARTES 3-4 Study activities and Satcom Applications Projects can be financially supported by ESA up to a level of 50%.

Full details of the Call and on how to submit your ideas can be found on the IAP portal at:
http://iap.esa.int/opportunities/iap/ARTES-3-4-applications-Call-for-Id…

Your ideas and suggestions should reach us by 15th July 2013.

More than 75 participants from SMes all over Europe attended the IAP Ambassador Platform for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (APsme) launch event in Brussels on 6 March.

The event informed participants on this new initiative to facilitate the access of SMEs to satellite-related activities:

• For SMEs as service providers to get operational information on how IAP activities can support them in developing new, integrated products or services.
• For SMEs as end-users, to explore the potential benefits of using satellite services to answer their business needs.

The conference was co-organised by Agoria (Belgium.s largest employer.s organisation and trade association), UEAPME (the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized enterprises), the European Space Agency, and Eurisy which has hosted the APsme since September 2012.

In addition to informative talks by representatives of the four co-organisers on the needs and context of SMEs, the IAP support mechanisms, and the role of APsme, several SMEs presented their hands-on experience of either benefitting from IAP in developing new services, or in using operational satellite applications for their needs. These case-study examples covered several sectors, such as renewable energies, agro-environment, forestry, water, finance and industrial risk management.

The event concluded with bilateral meetings between the IAP Team and participants interested to profit from the initiative.

Conference participants recognised the interest for small businesses to fully reap the benefits of the European investments made in space infrastructure, by initiating and using integrated services. The SMEs that were present also pointed out the benefits in terms of business and competitiveness in taking up IAP opportunities as service providers.

All the presentations of the day are available on the APsme web-portal: http://iap.esa.int/c/sme/

An entire afternoon of the two-day event was dedicated to ESA Space Applications. Presentations were given including Integrated Space Applications for Risk Management; Energy, water and waste management; "Space 4 Health" and the IAP Programme.

About 25 participants from the Azores, Canary and Madeira Islands attended the seminar, organised by the Regional Fund for Science and Technology of the Azores within the frame of the Transnational Cooperation Programme MAC 2007-2013 under the FEDER, and more specifically of the MaReS project (Macaronesian Research Strategy). Very active involvement was shown by all participants.

Many ideas emerged out of the discussions that showed how the area could benefit from space applications. These include;

• services to fishermen for identifying fish shoals with fish of the desired type,
• maritime surveillance, tracking of ships,
• reliable communications in an emergency situation,
• harbour management, moorings for leisure boats,
• decision-making about directing population to safe areas in case of emergency,
• better land use management, improved geodetic data,
• better detection of oil spills,
• development of transport strategies, and
• developing synergies between UAVs and satellites.

Results and possible follow up to the discussions determined that work is required at all levels including ESA, national authorities, regional authorities and private firms. An IAP Call For Ideas and creating a dedicated Ambassador Platform within IAP are considerations for the future.

For more information visit: http://www.azores.gov.pt/Portal/pt/entidades/srecc-frc/livres/spacesmallislands.htm

More than 60 high-level representatives of satellite-based industries and experts shared knowledge, experiences and needs in view of bridging the digital divide at the launch conference of the Space for Med initiative on 23 November.

The conference took place in Barcelona during the Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders. Space For Med is led by the European Investment Bank (EIB), ESA and receives support from Luxinnovation, Luxembourg's Research and Innovation Agency.

A working session chaired by EIB and ESA produced promising results. Panellists had the opportunity to explore the satellite-based services promoted under the initiative with a view of taking them further.

Private sector participants agreed that space technologies could play a crucial role in economic development of the Mediterranean partner countries by driving innovative interventions in critical infrastructure sectors.

In a separate session, two new studies were presented. The EIB study on "Broadband Access for Mediterranean Partner Countries" and  the ESA study entitled "Evaluation of Satellite Solutions for Fast Deployment" assessed how broadband Internet services can be developed throughout the region.

The Space for Med initiative intends to develop spaced-based services in three key sectors: i) water management, ii) energy and renewable energies and iii) transport and logistics in the Mediterranean region.

The anticipated outcome of the initiative will see innovative responses for the continued development of these sectors, and potential concrete implementation in large infrastructure projects typically funded by the EIB.

The Space for Med Initiative agreement between ESA and the EIB was signed at ESA headquarters in Paris on 10 Sep, 2012.

Presentations given at the launch conference are available for download to registered users of the SpaceForMed website. Visit http://artes-apps.esa.int/community-portal/spaceformed

ESA's Integrated Applications Promotion (IAP) programme has partnered with the Swiss Space Office to establish an Ambassador Platform dedicated to fostering the development of integrated space-based applications with and for the Swiss industry: AP-Swiss.

About IAP

The IAP programme supports the development and validation of viable operational services relying on a combination of space systems (Telecommunication, Navigation, Earth Observation, Manned Space Technologies). By using and integrating these systems with non-space assets, improved and new services on a regional, national or global scale can be created for a wide range of users.

The role of AP-Swiss

As with all IAP Ambassador Platforms, the role of the IAP Swiss Platform is to:

• Increase awareness amongst economic actors about the potential added-value of space technologies;
• Stimulate the emergence of new ideas and services;
• Help create international partnerships so as to generate a global customer base needed for services to be sustainable;
• Be an "honest broker" between ESA and Swiss stakeholders (e.g., "spacetech" companies, solution/service providers, customers, user communities).

AP-Swiss helps companies to target new services, identify Swiss, European and international partners and obtain funding from ESA for awareness, feasibility and demonstration activities, up to market validation.

Such a partnership brokering is critical to develop truly integrated applications, combining multiple space and non-space systems to deliver complete solutions and reach wider markets.

AP-Swiss will have a definite Swiss focus. Its remit includes the many multinational companies and organisations that are based in the country and whose activities are global. Its focus will be on food security, water management, transport logistics and safety, renewable energy, banking and insurance, aid and health for developing countries and regional development.

About AP-Swiss

The IAP Ambassador Platform for Switzerland is managed by José Achache, previously Executive Director of the Group on Earth Observations in Geneva, Deputy Director General for Research and Technology at CNES, and a former Director of Earth Observation Programmes at ESA. In addition to numerous scientific publications, Professor Achache is the author of "Les Sentinelles de la Terre", an essay on space policy, space technologies and their applications.
AP-Swiss is located in the Innovation Square of the EPFL Science Park in Lausanne. This hands-on incubator was established to support innovative technology companies and projects in their early years, taking science to market. With approximately 100 start-up companies, the "innovation cells" of many large corporations and the proximity to the Swiss Space Center, the Science Park  provides the perfect eco-system for AP-Swiss to mature new and innovative applications of space-based infrastructures, in close cooperation with all stakeholders in Switzerland.

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.