INPE Signs Agreement for Space Data Exchange in...

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It follows one communicates published on the day (11/08) in the website of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) noting that the INPE signs agreement for space data exchange in “Major Disasters”.

Duda Falcão

INPE Signs Agreement for Space

Data Exchange in Major Disasters

Tuesday, November 08, 2011

On Tuesday (11/8), the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais - INPE) joined the International Charter "Space and Major Disasters" as member. The Charter aims at providing a unified system of space data acquisition and delivery to those affected by natural disasters over the world.

Even before becoming an official member, in latest January INPE requested data from the International Charter due to the rains and landslides that hit the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro. Images obtained at that time helped the local Civil Defense to manage actions.

The agreement between INPE and European and French Space Agencies (ESA and CNES), International Charter founders, was signed in the annual meeting of the CEOS (Committee on Earth Observation Satellites), performed in Lucca, Italy, November 7-9.

"Joining the Charter, INPE becomes better prepared to help Brazilian and international society in case of disasters," said Gilberto Câmara, director of INPE.

Maps produced from satellite data of the International Charter were used to guide rescue operations and evaluate consequences of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan earlier this year, and the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, among other disasters.

Since 2000, when it was created, the International Charter “Space and Major Disasters” has benefited almost 100 countries, in about 300 episodes, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, cyclones, floods and fires, among others. In 2010, the Charter approved Brazil’s entrance, which is formalized now. Since CBERS 3, in 2012, Brazil may also be an active supplier of satellite data in calamity situations.

For more information about the International Charter, visit: www.disasterscharter.org

Source: WebSite of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE)