GEXTRECS demonstrates secure satellite communications for crisis response

In a major emergency, the first thing many people lose access to is not merely the electricity – it is also the connection. Mobile networks become saturated, cell towers lose power, and internet links fail. For emergency services, communications blackouts can quickly turn into a second crisis: teams struggle to coordinate, share live updates, request support, or exchange sensitive information safely. This real-world challenge of preserving the security of EU citizens in such conditions was addressed by GEXTRECS - the Horizon Europe project supervised by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), which was implemented from February 2024 to January 2026.

GEXTRECS focused on a clear, practical goal: demonstrating how secure satellite communications can effectively support crisis response when terrestrial networks are unavailable, unreliable, or compromised - particularly in large-scale, cross-border emergencies.

Satellite communications are not new, yet deploying them effectively during disasters is not an easy task. In high-time-pressure situations, responders need solutions that are secure, fast to activate, and easy to operate under stress. At the same time, multiple organisations, such as fire services, medical teams, civil protection authorities, and maritime units, are expected to work together, often using different connectivity systems.

GEXTRECS provided a solution in the form of the GOVSATCOM Crisis Management Service Pack, aligned to real operational requirements. Its key demonstrated features include secure and independent communications, rapid activation and deployment, operational resilience to changing conditions, interoperability across organisations and networks, and leveraging synergies among European Union Space Programme components for crisis management – GOVSATCOM, Copernicus, and Galileo.

Live demonstration under realistic disaster conditions

The project’s flagship test took place during the GEXTRECS live demonstration event on 23 October 2025, which gathered almost 200 participants and connected operations in Voerde, Germany, and the Port of Vigo, Spain. The exercise was based on a realistic scenario: a 7.4-magnitude offshore earthquake near Porto, causing widespread infrastructure damage and a complete loss of 5G/LTE connectivity for at least 36 hours.

Two experienced teams anchored the exercise, implementing actual emergency response procedures. I.S.A.R. Germany, leading the land-based search and rescue activities, including a simulated dog search for a living victim in a rubble area. UTM-CSIC (Spain), coordinating the maritime component aboard the research vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa, simulating the delivery of basic supplies to the crisis area and evacuation of patients.

This Mission Control Centre (MCC) – Base of Operation (BoO) – vessel (maritime component) configuration reflects how real cross-border emergencies unfold, with multiple teams, locations, and constant pressure to exchange accurate information quickly.

One of GEXTRECS key insights is that secure satellite services need to be simple to request for and to activate during a crisis. Complex procedures can cost valuable time when every minute matters for saving lives.

The project showcased an innovative prototype tool called the Dynamic Planner, designed to help responders request the communications they need - voice calls, video conferencing, data exchange, image transfer, and IP services - and automatically and optimally match their needs with the available satellite resources in a continuous, efficient and seamless way.

In parallel, a Network Balancer was shown to maintain communication stability as conditions change, including secure switching across different satellite channels and between satellite and terrestrial links.

Beyond connectivity, GEXTRECS also demonstrated Galileo-based solutions for resilient positioning and timing, addressing vulnerabilities such as spoofing and jamming. The project showcased Galileo OSNMA, which verifies the authenticity of navigation messages, and a Low-PRS approach providing authorised, encrypted positioning. During the live demonstration, positioning requests and responses were transmitted via secure satellite links from back to the mission control centre, reinforcing trust in both location and communications of data.

To further align solutions with real user needs, GEXTRECS engaged with participants of NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) large-scale field exercise BULGARIA 2025 (7–12 September 2025).

With over one thousand participants representing 46 countries and organisations, the Exercise provided a unique opportunity to observe crisis management at scale and collect structured feedback from practitioners. GEXTRECS conducted field observations and deployed a dedicated questionnaire to capture expectations for secure end-to-end satellite communications in extreme situations, without collecting personal or sensitive data.

„Satellite connectivity is a critical service for a well-functioning 21^st century state. Poland approaches the development of these technologies with a strong sense of responsibility. We are committed to investing in strategic capabilities such as secure satellite communications.  Participation in such projects as GEXTRECS allows us to build competencies, gain operational experience, and establish lasting relationships with the best partners in the field.” said Marta Ewa Wachowicz, President of the Polish Space Agency. 

GEXTRECS concluded in January 2026 and its message is clear: when disasters disrupt key infrastructure, secure satellite communications can keep emergency response moving. Faster coordination, safer responders, and reliable information flows can lead to quicker rescues and more effective support for affected communities - exactly when communication matters the most.

Furthermore, the GEXTRECS educational materials with demonstration videos will enrich the training content on the ENTRUSTED e-learning platform, which is accessible for free to anyone interested in developing one’s own skills and updating knowledge on fundaments of secure satellite communications.

About GEXTRECS

GEXTRECS (GOVSATCOM Extreme Events Crisis Management Service) is a research project aimed at defining and demonstrating an integrated EU GOVSATCOM Crisis Management Service Pack. It focuses on end-to-end, secure, quickly deployable, and user-friendly space-based communications, leveraging synergies with Copernicus and Galileo, to enhance the EU's capacity to manage and respond to massive disaster events. 

GEXTRECS project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 101129626.

GOVSATCOM (Governmental Satellite Communications) is a component of the EU Space Programme, aimed at providing secure, resilient, and cost-effective satellite communications for security- and civil-protection–critical missions and operations carried out by the EU and its Member States (including public services and institutions). 

The EU GOVSATCOM programme has been operational since mid-January 2026. The GOVSATCOM Hub is currently managed by EUSPA.