GEXTRECS Showcases Its Potential in Emergency Situations

The final phase of GEXTRECS (GOVSATCOM Extreme Events Crisis Management Service) is now underway. This European project, coordinated by GMV, focuses on developing a crisis management service package based on secure satellite communications (SATCOM), an essential capability in large-scale disasters and emergency contexts. 

Satellite systems, capable of maintaining communication even when traditional networks fail, represent a reliable and resilient alternative in critical situations. During this final phase, GMV and the consortium partners successfully demonstrated the usability and effectiveness of the GEXTRECS solution in a real-case scenario. The Final Demonstration held on 23^rd of October, showcased the system’s capabilities through the simulated crisis scenario caused by a major earthquake off the coast of Porto (Portugal). This is the first demonstration carried out within the framework of the European GOVSATCOM program.

The live demonstration was conducted from Port of Vigo (Spain) and the coordination center in Voerde (Germany), with the participation of consortium partners, representatives from EUSPA, national politicians, Competent GOVSATCOM Authorities (CGA), and end-users from several countries. The event was additionally broadcast online, allowing a wide range of stakeholders to follow the demonstration remotely. 

During this large-scale disaster simulation exercise, the team demonstrated how satellite communications enable emergency response teams to maintain real-time communication, facilitating task coordination and supporting rescue efforts.

Two European emergency teams participated in this key part of the demonstration: the International Search and Rescue Unit (I.S.A.R Germany) and the Marine Technology Unit (UTM) of the Spanish institution CSIC. Communication was established between the Mission Control Center (MCC), Base of Operation (BoO), and the Sarmiento de Gamboa vessel (UTM-CSIC) via videoconference to coordinate humanitarian aid and the evacuation of patients. 

The results confirmed the reliability, integrity, and availability of the GEXTRECS SATCOM services, demonstrating how European space components can effectively support disaster response. The demonstration also highlighted the added value of integrating Copernicus and Galileo components to enhance situational awareness and improve coordination.

Following the demonstration, a Stakeholders Workshop was held, featuring an open debate to exchange perspectives and gather feedback from end-users, including crisis management and civil protection actors, representatives of the Competent GOVSATCOM Authority (CGA), and national and EU-level crisis management institutions.

GEXTRECS is taking place within the framework of the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program (grant agreement No. 101129626).

More information

GOVSATCOM is the European satellite communications program for governmental use. Together with Copernicus, Galileo, EGNOS, and the Space Situational Awareness Programme, it forms one of the five pillars of the EU Space Programme.

GMV leads the industrial consortium responsible for designing, developing, and deploying the Communications Hub, a key element of the European Union’s GOVSATCOM program. The European Union Agency awarded this contract for the Space Programme (EUSPA) in September 2024.