Uses of Satellite Technologies in Disasters

Satellite technologies are the only savior without any alternative in emergency response and disaster relief.

Our country has experienced many painful times regarding earthquakes, and our communication problems have come to the fore after each earthquake. Not just an earthquake, but even in any emergency, if the communication is on the ground, problems have definitely occurred and will continue to occur. However, satellites provide direct service from space to the ground without any obstacles and are uninterrupted.

One of the most valuable features of satellites is that they can provide services from space even if any location’s terrestrial networks are damaged or destroyed, or even if areas on the ground are blocked and unmeasurable. This makes satellite services uniquely reliable and an invaluable tool for emergency responders during disaster relief.

Additionally, satellites assist humanitarian organizations and restoration teams during disaster management and recovery. Satellites can provide the capacity to transfer photos and videos containing situations that require priority communication after a disaster and as the main carrier for emergency communication of important institutions such as banks or gas stations. For these reasons, public safety agencies, emergency responders, all government agencies, and emergency commercial businesses should consider how to incorporate satellite services into their emergency communications preparations before a disaster.

Near orbit and remote satellites provide the most important services in emergency situations.

Thanks to KA band satellite internet, Wi-Fi service can be provided in the region with broadband internet and equipment connected to this data. With this service, anyone with a charged mobile phone can talk to each other, send videos and photos, regardless of distance, via internet access, without the need for any other technology.

Satellite phones can provide critical voice communications not only for emergency responders and rescue teams, but also for out-of-touch survivors looking to reach their families and loved ones.

Satellites can provide life-saving essential broadband and VSAT (KA Band systems) and data services to response and recovery agencies, hospitals and others in areas left without terrestrial internet and Wi-Fi services during a disaster. Data and broadband connections can be connected easily and quickly.

The systems to be built here will be provided by local and regional municipalities, who have already provided the infrastructure, and by TUYAD, satellite system experts who already have knowledge throughout our country, or by people who will provide easy communication even from a distance. The system will work with the easy training of people all over the country and the easy commissioning of the system by these trained people.

Satellites also provide reliable satellite data support and business continuity to gas stations and convenience stores for point-of-sale (POS) credit/debit card authorizations and inventory management. This allows consumers to continue purchasing fuel, water, food and other essential items during the recovery. This way, no one will be left without gas or food in case of a disaster.

Not only distant orbit satellites with very large investments, but also small satellites will be useful in case of disaster. Weather forecasting, instant photo or video sharing, and regional live viewing can be done with small satellites. Imaging from both small commercial satellites and advanced weather satellites provides important data as it helps local authorities plan life-saving evacuations in areas predicted to be heavily impacted by severe weather.

Photo and video comparison images that no other system or technology can provide are possible with satellite technologies. Satellite imaging helps pre- and post-response teams locate areas of flooding or major damage, perform search and rescue operations, assess damage to critical infrastructure, search for available routes, and prioritize aspects of response and recovery. Help and support can be obtained from satellites not only during fire or earthquake, but also at any time when search and rescue occurs.

Local and regional TV and radio channels can be accessed via satellite via instant data transfer and can immediately serve larger audiences. Satellite broadcasting and all satellite technologies currently carry 60% of telecommunications. Accordingly, the value of data best supports television news vehicles and emergency centers to provide on-site search and rescue information and services.

All data of mobile systems are transported and stored to ground stations via satellites. In case of an emergency, mobile phone backhaul services and storage services are only available on satellite systems. In order to ensure the continuity of voice, text or video services, mobile phone companies maintain their main carrier lines by connecting their own satellites or the capacities of satellite companies serving in the region to their own terminals. For this reason, mobile operators must work directly with satellite operators or have their own satellites.

For all these elements and the continuation of the already known satellite services, you must have sufficient satellite technology service. The issue of ownership here is the state of belonging to yourself. In other words, rented satellites will serve their own countries in case of disaster. If you do not have your own satellite, which is the personal property of the government or a private organization, there is no guarantee that the problem will be solved in the event of a disaster.

The most talked about today are close orbit satellites, that is, small satellites. They surround the world and their numbers are increasing every moment. Since their owners know that there is no allocation regulation, they continue to own them with all the investment they have. Because the allocation of places will be regulated soon. You can think of it like sun loungers on the beach. The beach is empty and you can swim from anywhere. After a while, places are allocated to someone and there is no room left for you. You can definitely sunbathe and swim in the sea by paying rent.

Now our country has lost its place in distant orbit satellites. We know this and we protect our existing locations with our satellites. We have TURKSAT satellites that we can use in case of disaster. However, we do not have ground stations that we can activate in case of disaster. These need to be resolved as soon as possible.

We have a TAZİS TUYAD (Disaster Communication System) project on this subject. Our corporate members have worked on this subject in many countries around the world and are experienced. The only thing to do is to work on this issue as soon as possible.