A new EU-funded project is developing a system that will save lives and mitigate damage to property and the environment in the aftermath of disasters. The two-year project is called GEO-PICTURES, and EUR 2.4 million of its EUR 3.2 million budget comes from the Space Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

When disaster strikes, relief organisations need rapid access to accurate and detailed information from the field in order to plan their response.GEO-PICTURES ('GMES [Global Monitoring for Environment and Security] and Earth observation with position-based image and sensor communications technology for universal rescue, emergency and surveillance management') will use satellite communications technology to provide near-real-time access to pictures, videos, sensor data and other information worldwide.

GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) will produce Earth observation data collected from space- and ground-based infrastructure.  All information will be location-tagged, and experts in rapid online mapping will draw on a combination of GMES, and visual and sensor information to create real-time situational maps. The system, which will be hosted by the United Nations (UN), represents an important contribution to the management of large- and medium-scale emergencies around the globe. An early version of the system contributed to disaster-management efforts following the recent earthquake in Haiti.

Under the GEO-PICTURES system, accurate field observations, such as photos, videos and audio recordings as well as data from sensors regarding temperature, moisture and wind, will be transferred to a control centre via satellite-optimised protocols. As well as contributing to disaster management efforts, this data will help improve the interpretation of space-based remote sensing data.

In addition, the team plans to develop small, lightweight equipment based on the latest mobile technology. This will give disaster-management experts the opportunity to comment directly on pictures and communicate their needs to the Operation Centre. A location-based content distribution system will enable the transfer of large image files and GMES data over satellite channels.

The tproject GEO-PICTURES will last for two years, and EUR 2.4 million of its EUR 3.2 million budget comes from the Space Theme of the Specific Programme "Cooperation" of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).