Safeplace is designed to deliver vital information to first responders swiftly, which can be lifesaving in events such as floods, earthquakes, fires, and chemical incidents. The platform integrates advanced Earth observation, satellite positioning, Internet of Things (IoT) data, and satellite communication, ensuring that critical data reaches crisis managers even when ground networks fail.

The project will develop a secure digital portal combining various data sources and services. This platform will enhance situational awareness by overlaying real-time data, such as responder locations, on satellite images or using AI to analyze drone footage to locate victims.

A consortium led by Starion, comprising nine companies from Belgium and Spain, will implement the project, making it a truly pan-European effort. Over the next three years, four pilot programs will be conducted in Belgium and Spain, including a live demonstration of first responders tackling a simulated toxic gas leak caused by an earthquake.

The European Space Agency (ESA) will oversee the project under its Civil Security from Space (CSS) program, using its European Space Security and Education Centre (ESEC) to ensure cybersecurity and data quality for Safeplace.

As climate-related challenges grow, Safeplace aims to make Europe more resilient and prepared to handle various emergencies.

"We're proud to be launching the Safeplace project," said Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications. "This project showcases Europe's technological and industrial capabilities to benefit European citizens. By improving our ability to respond to challenges ranging from natural disasters to humanitarian crises, we're taking a significant step towards a safer and more resilient Europe."

"Crises and emergencies are, by their very nature, unexpected," said Simonetta Cheli, ESA Director of Earth Observation. "However, through developments such as Safeplace, we can ensure that satellite-based situation awareness, communications, and location capabilities contribute effectively and reliably in enabling first responders to maximize the impact of their response."

"There is an increasing need to deliver detailed, accurate, and need-specific information to first responders as fast as possible when a crisis occurs, as we have seen in Europe in recent years when, for example, increasing numbers of severe flooding and fire events have occurred, causing loss of life," said Arne Matthyssen, Starion Chief Commercial and Technology Officer. "Satellites can provide complementary and necessary data, and our advanced data engineering and AI capabilities will allow us to rapidly convert this data to actionable information."

Learn more about ESA's Civil Security from Space program here

Related Links
Connectivity and Secure Communications at ESA
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
A world of storm and tempest
When the Earth Quakes