Disaster management: a crazy idea to disseminate emergency information to populations

Paper number

IAC-13,E5,5,4,x18863

Author

Dr. Ghislain RUY, LuxSpace Sarl, Luxemburg

Year

2013

Abstract

One of the problems associated with disasters is the early warning of the population and  the dissemination of the vital information following the event.
This vital information must reach the biggest number, all if possible, as early as possible, as clearly as possible.
While emergency services usually have their own, safely operating communication systems, and are therefore also committed to disseminate information locally within their reach, some other vital information needs to be quickly and efficiently disseminated to the largest number of people.
This ‘cascading ‘ principle originates mainly from two reasons: the unavailability of wide disseminating means, or if they exist, their potential destruction, and the need to disseminate accurate, relevant, controlled information.

What is one of the most disseminated equipment that is available to almost everybody, every single human being in the world?
One might think that there are many, but only one is universally found and works all the same way around the world: that’s combined AM/FM RADIO receiver.
It exists in so many numerous forms that it is almost impossible to account for all existing models.
Therefore, we have now a widely owned receiving equipment.

And what could be the transmitter ? A satellite of course, and a geostationary one to make things easy.

The equations are self speaking: technically, it can be done and it can work. The presentation will address all the roadmaps and organisms that must be involved, as well as some insights in the political problems that must be solved for such a concept to gain universal acceptance.
UNO, ITU, governments, manufacturers (why do you need to plug this damned ear kit to have your cell phone’s embedded FM radio working, while the charger wire could as well work as antenna ?) must be all part of this.

{\bf WARNING: this paper is the expression of the opinion and ideas of the author solely and does not commit nor imply its employer in any conceivable way.}

Abstract document

IAC-13,E5,5,4,x18863.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-13,E5,5,4,x18863.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.