Japan's Space Agency to collaborate with private firms for disaster response

Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is set to partner with private firms to enhance emergency response capabilities during natural disasters, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports, citing Kyodo News.

 This collaboration aims to leverage the increasing number of private satellites for swift and accurate disaster assessment.

A framework for coordinated use of public and private satellites is expected by the end of the year. The initiative includes specifying coverage areas and observation schedules, with a drill already conducted last month to simulate a hypothetical megaquake in the Nankai Trough.

Satellite data has been invaluable in responding to major disasters, including the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan, as well as during typhoons, heavy rains, and volcanic eruptions. The Daichi-2 satellite, for instance, provided critical observations following the Noto Peninsula earthquake on January 1 last year, identifying coastal uplift, building damage, and landslides.

However, gaps in coordination between public and private satellites highlighted the need for a streamlined approach. Draft guidelines under review by a consortium of 280 industry stakeholders propose that JAXA's Daichi-2 and Daichi-4 satellites conduct initial wide-area assessments of building damage and crustal shifts. Private satellites, with their high-resolution capabilities, will complement this coverage by addressing road blockages, tsunami inundations, and infrastructure evaluations.

Earlier, Kazinform News Agency reported that India launched the Space Docking Experiment, a mission aimed at establishing the country's capability in orbital docking.