Europe is currently facing numerous challenges including humanitarian crises, climate change,

cybercrime, and geopolitical instability. During times of crisis, various professionals such as civil security,

health workers, and emergency responders, operate in areas where ground-based infrastructures are inaccessible or damaged. To effectively respond to such situations, these professionals rely on space assets to anticipate events, assess the situation, communicate, and position themselves in the field.

Access to actionable information is crucial for efficient prevention and intervention to resolve the crisis and minimize its impact.

To address these challenges, the European Space Agency (ESA) and its member states have recognized the need for a flagship program called ‘‘Civil Security from Space’ (CSS). This program aims to create a

federated solution that connects existing, planned, and future space and ground systems and services.

By doing so, the program will allow real-time gathering, processing, and provision of information to

facilitate decision-making and improve connectivity between first responders and their control centres.

There is no single solution available that can seamlessly bring together and ensure uninterrupted access. Currently the missing components to overcome these are:

• a fully automated real-time failover solution that utilizes both SatCom and terrestrial communication channels
• services designed to handle large datasets, both in and out of the field
• a range of SatOps services, including cutting-edge situational awareness products
• support of standard satcom terminals, mobile, and 3/4/5G networks, making it accessible to a

wide range of users

• live data-streams from the field and in the field, which can be disseminated in near real-time
• prioritization of cybersecurity and state-of-the-art procedures to secure data on all endpoints

and transmissions within a highly secured data and network space

• a comprehensive data governance scheme to ensure data integrity and prevent data

manipulation at all levels.

• easy access to EO data (Satellite, airborne, drone) for first responders
• analytical possibility to automatically extract/generate information from the data
• easy interface for visualisation of the results

The SMART-CONNECT project will close these gaps with the ConnexStream middleware, which will offer a reliable, failsafe, easy to use and secure global emergency management data-dissemination chain for civil security.

The SMART-CONNECT solution unites various stakeholders from the civil security domain and European space industry partners who share an interest in leveraging space solutions to support civil security missions.

From the beginning the requirements and response design will be consolidated with relevant stakeholder facilitating institutions (Frontex, EMSA,..) and associations (Public Safety Communications Europe,…), national and regional authorities as well as relevant target end-user organizations (first responders and disaster management centers from Europe and outside Europe).

A failsafe business applications space solution in answer of the ESA Civil Security from Space call.