ESA - MapGuard: Advancing emergency evacuation capabilities in the Baltics

<!doctype html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, user-scalable=no, initial-scale=1.0, minimum-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/var/esa/cache/public/stylesheets/c35b41a32fb01cc5cc5a0efcc8ca483e_1685535780_all.css" /> <link href="/fontawesome/css/fontawesome.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="/fontawesome/css/brands.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="/fontawesome/css/solid.css" rel="stylesheet"> <script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-2.2.4.min.js" integrity="sha256-BbhdlvQf/xTY9gja0Dq3HiwQF8LaCRTXxZKRutelT44=" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/var/esa/cache/public/javascript/ec3756e8a47adc0f64e3c43418bca85a_1729093166.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <meta property="og:title" content="MapGuard: Advancing emergency evacuation capabilities in the Baltics"> <title>ESA - MapGuard: Advancing emergency evacuation capabilities in the Baltics</title> <meta name="description" content="In emergency evacuations, access to reliable information can mean the difference between life and death. As our world faces growing challenges from natural disasters and conflicts, the need for rapid, accurate data during evacuations is vital."> <meta property="og:description" content="In emergency evacuations, access to reliable information can mean the difference between life and death. As our world faces growing challenges from natural disasters and conflicts, the need for rapid, accurate data during evacuations is vital."> <meta name="keywords" content="Mapguard, Guardtime, civil security from space, evacuation, Baltics, CSS, Estonia"> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2024/11/mapguard_advancing_emergency_evacuation_capabilities_in_the_baltics/26460496-1-eng-GB/MapGuard_Advancing_emergency_evacuation_capabilities_in_the_Baltics_pillars.jpg"> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@esa"> <script> var _paq = window._paq = window._paq || []; _paq.push(["setDomains", ["*.www.esa.int","*.www.esa.int"]]); _paq.push(["enableCrossDomainLinking"]); _paq.push(['trackPageView']); _paq.push(['enableLinkTracking']); (function() { var u="https://www-analytics.esa.int/"; _paq.push(['setTrackerUrl', u+'matomo.php']); _paq.push(['setSiteId', '46']); var d=document, g=d.createElement('script'), s=d.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; g.type='text/javascript'; g.async=true; g.src=u+'matomo.js'; s.parentNode.insertBefore(g,s);})(); </script> </head> <body> <div class="wrapper popmod"> <div id="cookie_loc"></div> <section id="esa-header" class="esa-header connecting-benefiting"> <div class="esa-header__left"> <button id="esa-menu" class="esa-header__toggle menu-toggle"> <img class="esa-header__icon" src="/extension/pillars/design/pillars/images/ESA_Menu.svg" alt="ESA menu toggle"> </button> <button id="esa-search" class="esa-header__toggle search-toggle"> <img class="esa-header__icon" src="/extension/pillars/design/pillars/images/ESA_Search.svg" alt="ESA search toggle"> </button> <img class="esa-header__title" src="/extension/pillars/design/pillars/images/ESA_Title.svg" alt="ESA title"> </div> <div class="esa-header__right"> <a class="esa-header__link" href="/"> <img class="esa-header__logo" src="/extension/pillars/design/pillars/images/ESA_Logo.svg" alt="ESA logo"> </a> </div> </section> <form class="quick-search" action="/esearch"> <input class="quick-search__field" type="text" name="q" placeholder="Search ESA"> <button class="quick-search__submit" type="submit"><i class="far fa-arrow-right"></i></button> </form> <script> try { iniframe = window.self !== window.top;} catch (e) { iniframe = true;}if (!iniframe) {theme = 'connecting-benefiting'; $.get('/var/esa/storage/menu_overlay.html', for_overlay_menu);}</script> <section id="overlay-menu"></section> <script> $.post( '/ezjscore/call', "ezjscServer_function_arguments=esaux::viewsincr::504081", function(data) { $(document).ready(function() { $('#viewcount').text(data) }) }) </script> <section class="feature feature--article"> <a href="/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/11/MapGuard_Advancing_emergency_evacuation_capabilities_in_the_Baltics" class="popup"> <img class="image-bg stellar" src="/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2024/11/mapguard_advancing_emergency_evacuation_capabilities_in_the_baltics/26460496-1-eng-GB/MapGuard_Advancing_emergency_evacuation_capabilities_in_the_Baltics_pillars.jpg" alt="MapGuard: Advancing emergency evacuation capabilities in the Baltics" data-stellar-ratio="0.7" data-stellar-vertical-offset="60"> </a> </section> <article class="article connecting-benefiting"> <header class="entry article__block"> <span class="pillar article__item">Applications</span> <h1 class="heading heading--main article__item">MapGuard: Advancing emergency evacuation capabilities in the Baltics</h1> <div class="meta article__item"> <span>22/11/2024</span> <span><span id="viewcount">1102</span><small> views</small></span> <span><span id="ezsr_total_26460181">12</span><small> likes</small></span> </div> </header> <div class="breadcrumbs article__block article__item"> <a class="breadcrumbs__entry" href="/">ESA</a> / <a class="breadcrumbs__entry" href="/Applications">Applications</a> / <a class="breadcrumbs__entry" href="/Applications/Connectivity_and_Secure_Communications">Connectivity and Secure Communications</a></div> <div class="abstract article__block article__item"> <p>In emergency evacuations, access to reliable information can mean the difference between life and death. As our world faces growing challenges from natural disasters and conflicts, the need for rapid, accurate data during evacuations is vital.</p> </div> <div class="article__block"> <p>Through ESA's <a href="https://connectivity.esa.int/civil-security-space">Civil Security from Space</a> programme, we work to create space-enabled solutions for emergency response. As part of this effort, ESA has partnered with <a href="https://guardtime.com/">Guardtime</a>, an Estonian company that builds secure systems to protect data, on a new mapping and data service called MapGuard. The MapGuard system continuously gathers and aggregates data from multiple sources – satellites, drones, and ground sensors – providing comprehensive updates to emergency responders as frequently as every hour.</p><p>This solution addresses a critical challenge in emergency response today. Currently, teams rely on a fragmented network of tools: separate mapping systems, different data platforms and varied communication channels. This fragmentation makes it difficult for responders to effectively analyse and share critical information. MapGuard's unified approach will streamline the planning of large-scale civil emergency response actions leading to safer and more efficient evacuations while ensuring emergency responders maintain complete situational awareness throughout a crisis.</p><p>The system works by collecting and integrating data from multiple sources – including satellites, aerial drones, and ground sensors – to create comprehensive maps for emergency responders. The service also comes with a robust security framework that implements advanced cybersecurity measures to protect against data tampering.</p><p>The project represents a collaborative effort between several Estonian organisations, including the Estonian Land Board, REGIO OU for providing Earth observation imagery and expertise, the National Rescue Board and local municipalities. With a long-term vision to unite Baltic countries, the system will aim at leveraging regional expertise to enhance its effectiveness and reliability.</p><p>By bringing together Earth observation and blockchain technology, MapGuard marks a significant step forward in emergency response capabilities – ensuring that when crises occur, responders have the trusted information they need to protect civilians.</p><p>"The Civil Security from Space programme demonstrates ESA's commitment to protecting citizens through space applications. MapGuard shows how satellite technology can be directly applied to enhance civilian safety and emergency response capabilities,” said Christopher Topping, ESA Civil Security from Space Programme Manager.</p><p>“This project addresses the increasingly important issue of trusted information for emergency responders as well as rapid integration of diverse datasets – as such it will ensure significant advances in of satellite data uptake for crisis response situations,” said Gordon Campbell, Head of Enterprise of ESA’s Earth Observation Directorate.</p><p>“Guardtime is proud to collaborate with ESA on developing solutions to strengthen civil security, particularly in response to the evolving geopolitical challenges in Europe. Enhancing civil security capabilities is essential for safeguarding society. By leveraging near real-time data from space and ensuring robust data security, rescue services gain the accurate, reliable situational awareness needed for rapid and effective emergency responses,” said Kaarel Hanson, Guardtime’s Vice President of Space Solutions.</p> </div> <div class="share button-group article__block article__item"> <button id="ezsr_26460181_1_5" class="btn ezsr-star-rating-enabled" title="Like">Like</button> <p id="ezsr_just_rated_26460181" class="ezsr-just-rated hide">Thank you for liking</p> <p id="ezsr_has_rated_26460181" class="ezsr-has-rated hide">You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!</p> <div class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_default_style"> <a class="a2a_button_x"></a> <a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a> <a class="a2a_button_copy_link"></a> <a class="a2a_dd" href=https://www.addtoany.com/share></a> </div> </div> </article> <section class="cards"> <h2 class="heading section-heading">Related Articles</h2> <div class="grid clearfix"> <div class="grid-sizer"></div> <div class="grid-item story" data-date="1685599200"> <a class="card story connecting-benefiting" href="/Applications/Connectivity_and_Secure_Communications/Civil_security_from_space"> <figure class="thumbnail"> <div class="entry-info"> <span class="category">Story</span> </div> <div class="dimmer"></div> <img class="image-bg" src="/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2023/05/civil_security_from_space/24895653-1-eng-GB/Civil_security_from_space_card_medium.jpg" alt=""> </figure> <header class="entry"> <span class="pillar">Applications</span> <h3 class="heading">Civil security from space</h3> <div class="meta"> <span>7999 <small>views</small></span> <span>44 <small>likes</small></span> </div> </header> <div class="cta"> <label>Read</label> <img class="arrow" src="/extension/pillars/design/pillars/images/arrow.svg" alt="Read"> </div> </a> </div> <div class="grid-item story" data-date="1730448840"> <a class="card story connecting-benefiting" href="/Applications/Connectivity_and_Secure_Communications/Advanced_space_tech_for_disaster_response_with_Smart-Connect"> <figure class="thumbnail"> <div class="entry-info"> <span class="category">Story</span> </div> <div class="dimmer"></div> <img class="image-bg" src="/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2023/10/artists_impression_of_a_synthetic_aperture_radar_satellite_over_a_wildfire/25135303-1-eng-GB/Artists_impression_of_a_synthetic_aperture_radar_satellite_over_a_wildfire_card_medium.jpg" alt="Artists impression of a synthetic aperture radar satellite over a wildfire"> </figure> <header class="entry"> <span class="pillar">Applications</span> <h3 class="heading">Advanced space tech for disaster response with Smart-Connect</h3> <div class="meta"> <span>01/11/2024</span> <span>1476 <small>views</small></span> <span>22 <small>likes</small></span> </div> </header> <div class="cta"> <label>Read</label> <img class="arrow" src="/extension/pillars/design/pillars/images/arrow.svg" alt="Read"> </div> </a> </div> <div class="grid-item story" data-date="1728989400"> <a class="card story connecting-benefiting" href="/Applications/Connectivity_and_Secure_Communications/Ciseres_AI-powered_satellites_for_rapid_disaster_response"> <figure class="thumbnail"> <div class="entry-info"> <span class="category">Story</span> </div> <div class="dimmer"></div> <img class="image-bg" src="/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2024/10/ciseres_signature_at_iac_1/26366547-1-eng-GB/Ciseres_signature_at_IAC_1_card_medium.jpg" alt="Ciseres signature at IAC 1"> </figure> <header class="entry"> <span class="pillar">Applications</span> <h3 class="heading">Ciseres: AI-powered satellites for rapid disaster response …</h3> <div class="meta"> <span>15/10/2024</span> <span>1970 <small>views</small></span> <span>25 <small>likes</small></span> </div> </header> <div class="cta"> <label>Read</label> <img class="arrow" src="/extension/pillars/design/pillars/images/arrow.svg" alt="Read"> </div> </a> </div> </div> </section> <section id="footer"> <span class="footer__signature">European Space Agency</span> <div class="footer-nav"> <a href="/Services/Frequently_asked_questions">FAQ</a> <a href="/Services/Contacts">Contacts</a> <a href="/Services/Terms_and_conditions">Terms and conditions</a> <a href="/Services/Privacy_notice">Privacy notice</a> <a href="/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA">Careers at ESA</a> <a href="/Services/Email_updates">Subscribe </a> </div> <div class="social-media-links"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/ESA" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-youtube"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/esa" target="_blank"><i class="fa-brands fa-x-twitter"></i></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanSpaceAgency" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/europeanspaceagency/" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-instagram"></i></a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-space-agency/" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-linkedin-in"></i></a> <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/EuropeanSpaceAgency/" target="_blank"><i class="fab fa-pinterest"></i></a> </div> </section> <section id="popup-modal"></section></div> <script> if (jQuery.cookie('cc_cookie_accept') == "cc_cookie_accept") { var s = document.createElement("script"); s.src = "https://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js"; document.body.appendChild(s); }</script>  </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

ESA - MapGuard: Advancing emergency evacuation capabilities in the Baltics