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The International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’: DLR’s Contributions to Emergency Response Worldwide

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PFG – Journal of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article reports on the application of satellite-based Earth observation in the management of major natural or man-made disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, forest fires, landslides, or oil spills. Activities of the International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’, an international consortium of space agencies and satellite operators are introduced, and related contributions in terms of rapidly delivered satellite imagery and supporting services are illustrated. In particular, the role of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is outlined, which became a member of the International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’ in October 2010.

Zusammenfassung

Die Internationale Charta ‘Space and Major Disasters’: Die Beiträge des DLR zur weltweiten Krisenreaktion. Dieser Artikel berichtet vom Einsatz der satellitengestützten Erdbeobachtung bei der Bewältigung von großen Naturkatastrophen und technischen Unfällen wie z.B. Erdbeben, Hochwasser, Waldbränden, Hangrutschungen oder Ölverschmutzungen. Es werden Aktivitäten der Internationalen Charta ‘Space and Major Disasters’, einem internationalen Zusammenschluss von Raumfahrtagenturen und Satellitenbetreibern, vorgestellt und deren Beiträge in Form von aktuellen Satellitendaten und unterstützenden Diensten aufgezeigt. Insbesondere wird die Rolle des Deutschen Zentrums für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) aufgezeigt, welches im Oktober 2010 Mitglied der Internationalen Charta ‘Space and Major Disasters’ wurde.

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Acknowledgements

The activities of DLR in the International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’ are funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWI) (funding codes: 50EE1104, 50EE1330, 50EE1624).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. German Aerospace Center (DLR), German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD), 82234, Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany

    Sandro Martinis, André Twele, Simon Plank, Hendrik Zwenzner, Günter Strunz & Stefan Dech

  2. German Aerospace Center (DLR), Space Administration, 53227, Bonn-Oberkassel, Germany

    Jens Danzeglocke & Hans-Peter Lüttenberg

Authors
  1. Sandro Martinis
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  2. André Twele
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  3. Simon Plank
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  4. Hendrik Zwenzner
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  5. Jens Danzeglocke
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  6. Günter Strunz
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  7. Hans-Peter Lüttenberg
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  8. Stefan Dech
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sandro Martinis.

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Martinis, S., Twele, A., Plank, S. et al. The International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’: DLR’s Contributions to Emergency Response Worldwide. PFG 85, 317–325 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41064-017-0032-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41064-017-0032-1

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