why space matters
Disaster Relief
In 2020, weather-related disasters alone resulted in $268 billion in damages worldwide. Other natural disasters like Earthquakes and tsunamis, in addition to human accidents, also cause massive economic damage and loss of life each year.
Space-based satellites paired with vehicle-mounted Earth stations already provide emergency telecommunication services for relief operations. During seasonal wildfires in Portugal in 2017, Altice/PT, the largest telecommunications provider in the country used satellites as a backup for the terrestrial network, aiding in evacuation and firefighting efforts. With the help of satellites, Emergency.lu also re-establishes 21st century communication in the midst of disaster, and has saved lives in Syria, Venezuela, and the Bahamas.
The capacity to help thousands of people at once from a remote satellite is one of many advancements for the greater good brought about by space exploration. Rapid response when disaster strikes vulnerable populations is why space matters.
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