GOVSATCOM Extreme Events Crisis Management Service

Project Information

GEXTRECS

Grant agreement ID: 101129626

DOI

10.3030/101129626

Project closed

EC signature date 31 January 2024

Start date 1 February 2024

End date 31 January 2026

Funded under

• Digital, Industry and Space

Total cost

€ 1 499 992,50

EU contribution

€ 1 499 992,50

Coordinated by

GMV AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE SA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GEXTRECS (GOVSATCOM Extreme Events Crisis Management Service)

Reporting period: 2024-02-01 to 2025-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Protecting citizens and freedoms is one of the four European Union priorities in its 2019-2024 strategic agenda, with a focus on increasing the EU's resilience against both natural and man-made disasters. The EU’s autonomy and independence are essential for implementing the common security policy, including governmental communications. In this context, Satellite Communications (SATCOM) represent the ideal means for covering large geographical areas or operations deployed in remote or isolated sites.
The European Union Governmental Satellite Communications (EU GOVSATCOM) Programme aims to provide secure, guaranteed, and cost-effective SATCOM services to EU governmental stakeholders, such as Member States (MS), related security organizations, and EU Agencies or institutions with special emphasis on civilians.
GEXTRECS will define and demonstrate an End-to-End GOVSATCOM Service supporting Crisis Management. The project will prototype the Dynamic Planner to de-risk an important GOVSATCOM Ground segment element, enabling dynamic SATCOM resources allocation in the most optimal manner using advanced heuristics. Additionally, GEXTRECS will integrate a Network Balancer to ensure interoperability and secure communications across different networks. The project will also illustrate GOVSATCOM synergies with other components of the EU Space Programme. Annual demonstrations will simulate exercises in land cross-border and multinational maritime use cases.

The overall objectives are:
1. To co-design with End-Users a pack of secure SATCOM services useful for the full duration of a massive civil emergencies or security crisis.
2. To show feasibility of GOVSATCOM concept services for civil emergencies or security.
3. To study SATCOM terminals interoperability for different SATCOM channels.
4. To harmonize European crisis management procedures for GOVSATCOM resources usability, as well as for its adoption and prioritization by governmental bodies involved in massive civil emergency or security events with cross-borders impact.
5. To de-risk ground segment technological component for dynamic optimal resource allocation.
6. To demonstrate the prototyped EU GOVSATCOM Crisis Management Service Pack with End-Users involvement in their real environment.
7. To foster, demonstrate, outreach and highlight synergies between GOVSATCOM and others EU Space Program components, notably with Copernicus and Galileo.
8. To raise awareness on GOVSATCOM and promote its market uptake.
9. To contribute to the increased security of EU citizens and the protection of critical infrastructure through enhanced operational capabilities offered by GOVSATCOM services and deployed in a European collective effort during large-scale, cross-border, or multinational crisis events.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The activities are progressing smoothly and in line with the planned timeline.
An initial demonstration, limited to the Consortium members to align on the technical implementation, was successfully carried out during this period, including two different scenarios with limited scope on innovations and the GOVSATCOM Crisis Management Service Pack.
All the contractual deliverables due by the Interim period were submitted.
The GEXTRECS team is working diligently to achieve the final objectives and meet the end-users’ requirements. The involvement of end-users adds significant value, especially during the final demonstration.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The EU Space Programme products and services can be used in the different phases of the crisis management: the preventive phase, the preparedness phase, the response phase and the recovery phase.

The integration of GOVSATCOM with Copernicus, Galileo and SSA enhances efficiency and resilience in crisis management operations, border security and environment monitoring. This collaboration is crucial in situations where the terrestrial communication can be compromised or unavailable. Utilizing GOVSATCOM to transmit Copernicus images, provide positioning with Galileo and send SSA alarms ensures the integrity and reliability of the information, which are key aspects of identified synergies between a GOVSATCOM Crisis Management Service and the other EU Space Programme components.

Integration of GOVSATCOM services with Copernicus data facilitates coordination of activities by emergency services and crisis management teams, allowing for quick and informed decision-making. Copernicus services can be used to monitor the progress of rescue operations and any mitigation actions implemented in the area. Hence, thanks to information sourced from Copernicus and distributed using GOVSATCOM services, decision-makers can adjust their strategies and plans in real time, which is crucial in dynamic emergency situations.
When combined with Galileo's advanced services, such as OSNMA and PRS, GEXTRECS can help further mitigate the risks associated with interference. Fast access to accurate Galileo data improves rescue operations and emergency response, especially in complex scenarios such as terrorist attacks or signal interference. Galileo and GOVSATCOM can provide a reliable, secure, and precise solution for crisis management, particularly in the context of national security threats.