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A design example of a VLEO satellite, and a trade-off associated with the use of such a platform. VLEO satellites will likely be cheaper to use in addition to improved resolution and latency, at the cost of the extra design challenges needed to implement them. Image Credit: Thales Alenia Space
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CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) threats are becoming more prevalent, as more entities gain access to modern weapons and industrial technologies and chemicals. This has produced a need for improvements to modelling, detection, and monitoring of these events. While there are currently no dedicated satellites for CBRN purposes,...
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Satellite-based visible and near-infrared imaging of the Earth’s surface is generally not performed in moderate to highly cloudy conditions; images that look visibly cloud covered to the human eye are typically discarded. Here, we expand upon previous work that employed machine learning (ML) to estimate underlying land surface reflectances at red,...
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... Szklarski (2024b) drew attention to this possibility with respect to radiological and nuclear threat detectors. However, in the context of providing realism in exercise scenarios, it is worth pointing out a new possibility in the field of CBRN detection, and namely the detection of CBRN agents, as well as toxic industrial chemicals, from space (Sutlieff et al., 2021). They point out the drawbacks of this technique, but also appreciate the possibilities of such detection on a global scale. ...
In the publicly available literature, there are no studies on the selection of training techniques tobest prepare the members of law enforcement and rescue teams arriving as the first respondersto the correct diagnosis of the CBRNE threat, despite the impact of the largest possible numberof external conditions, hereinafter referred to as factors. Among first responders, the key role isplayed by officers of the Fire Service and Health Service. On the other hand, the analysed factorsmay be both irrelevant to the correct recognition of CBRNE threats and may make it difficult oreven impossible to properly assess the situation at the initial stage of the rescue operation.The research problem undertaken in this article is to investigate the extent to which the detailof the exercise scenarios, made through the selection of the aforementioned factors, allowsa comprehensive description of the conditions prevailing at the time when rescuers are assessingwhether a situation has arisen as a result of the use of CBRNE material(s). The analysis focuses onexercise scenarios assuming that first responders have a limited amount of technical means at theirdisposal to detect CBRNE threats, and that at least one of the following factors occurs:– the existing situation does not clearly indicate a terrorist attack with the use of hazardousmaterial/materials from the CBRN group, or their accidental release;– the used CBRN material does not have immediate effects in the environment and neitherprocedures for its detection nor procedures to be followed in the event of its identificationhave been developed;– an explosive was used in combination with CBRN material(s) with the characteristicsdescribed above.The research method consisted in proposing 3 levels of detailing any issue included in the scenarioof exercise related to the initial stage of the rescue operation, i.e. the stage of arrival of the firstFire Brigade, Police patrol or Medical Rescue Team at the scene. The adopted levels of detail in thedescription of a given issue are modules, variables and factors. Modules and variables are levelsthat describe selected factors in increasing detail. There can be an unlimited number of variables ineach module. On the other hand, an unlimited number of factors can be assigned to each variable.Modules and variables make it easier to manage the entire set of factors. The result of the work is the indication of 23 modules, 48 variables and 225 factors. In 11 modules, variables and/orfactors were not indicated. The modules taken into considerations are as follows: ‒ Hazardousmaterial used, e.g. chemical substance, explosive material; ‒ Improvised explosive device (IED),e.g. pipe bomb, car bomb,;‒ Carrier, e.g. letter, suitcase, rail vehicle; ‒ Time, e.g. season of a year,day of a week; ‒ Weather conditions, e.g. temperature, presence and kind of wind; ‒ Location,e.g. airspace, river, city; ‒ Available detection techniques; ‒ Communications systems; ‒ Artificialintelligence and decision supporting systems; ‒ Security teams, e.g. state services, other formations’‒ Emergency Service Teams; ‒ Teams of specialist services; ‒ Cooperation of agencies; ‒ Media andsocial difficulties; ‒ Communication difficulties, e.g. roadblock, accident; ‒ Sources of electricalenergy; ‒ Animals; ‒ Witnesses, e.g. availability of a witness, interactions with witnesses; ‒ Numberand type of victims, e.g. interactions with victims, age of victims; ‒ Behaviour of victims; ‒ Numberand type of perpetrators, e.g. nationality of the perpetrators, motivation of the perpetrators; and‒ Behaviour of spectators. For each of the above factors, the point of view of the multiplicity effectwas taken into account, i.e. whether a given factor occurred individually and only at one point intime, or whether it appeared several times in a given scenario.
... Space-based radiological detection is limited by the presence of cosmic background radiation which obfuscates atmospheric absorption of high-energy radiation [10] and radioactive plumes on the Earth's surface. Nonetheless, as with current enforcing technology, the most notable application of space-based nuclear radiation detection as a result of nuclear detonation at high altitudes was the Vela satellite program [11]. ...
This paper provides a novel approach for detecting
radiation leaks at nuclear facilities with satellite instrumentation
through three proxy-based identification techniques; Outgoing
longwave radiation, thermal infrared and visual imagery.
Several data sources and processing techniques were utilised to
identify anomalous thermal behaviour indicative of excessive radioisotope
release and nuclear activity, alongside considerations
into the structural integrity of indispensable buildings, to draw
statistically informed conclusions on the overall state of nuclear
power plants and the leak of radioactive material. Verification
of the proposed methodology was established for Fukushima
Daiichi and Chernobyl nuclear power plants case studies with
a predominant focus on the monitoring of evolving situations in
Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. The results demonstrate the importance
of the continual monitoring of nuclear facilities and highlight
the current limitations of available technology. Consequently
applications of the proposed methodology to future applications
is considered.
... Cluster 6 stands for virtual environment [21] and simulation [12]. The CBRNE sensing [22], detection [23], and standoff detection [24] belongs to Cluster 4. The orange cluster contains source estimation [25] and plume modelling [26]. Cluster 10 covers further sensing methods and processing procedures: social network analysis [27] and neural networks [28]. ...
Detecting chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents is a high priority task and has been a topic of intensive research for decades. Ongoing technological, data processing, and automation developments are opening up new potentials in CBRN protection, which has become a complex, interdisciplinary field of science. According to it, chemists, physicists, meteorologists, military experts, programmers, and data scientists are all involved in the research. The key to effectively enhancing CBRN defence capabilities is continuous and targeted development along a well-structured concept. Our study highlights the importance of predictive analytics by providing an overview of the main components of modern CBRN defence technologies, including a summary of the conceptual requirements for CBRN reconnaissance and decision support steps, and by presenting the role and recent opportunities of information management in these processes.
... 113 U razmatranje se također uzima i mogućnost uporabe satelitskih podataka za kemijsku, biološku, radiološku i nuklearnu detekciju, no trenutačna rezolucija satelita još uvijek nije adekvatna za kemijsku detekciju. 114 Najnovija istraživanja za razvoj detektora bojnih otrova usmjerena su i na uporabu naprednih i "supermaterijala" kao što je grafen. Grafenske ploče su osnova sustava nanoelektromehaničkih (engl. ...
This review aims to highlight the importance of prehospital interventions in response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) threats, evaluate findings from international literature, and analyze the current situation in Türkiye to present systematic recommendations. The study was conducted by reviewing national and international literature. Data were obtained from PubMed, Google Scholar, the Turkish Ministry of Health, AFAD, and related official documents, and were analyzed accordingly. The review covers the general definition of CBRN threats, challenges in prehospital response, current practices, gaps in training, and examples of good practices. International literature indicates that health systems are inadequately prepared for CBRN incidents, with lack of knowledge and experience among personnel negatively affecting response effectiveness. Key concerns include decontamination, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and scene safety. In Türkiye, awareness of CBRN threats increased after the 1999 Marmara earthquake, leading to the establishment of CBRN units by the Ministry of Health and AFAD. Despite this, CBRN scenarios are still underrepresented in disaster plans, training efforts are not widespread, and preparedness levels in rural areas remain low. The presence of UMKE teams, decontamination units in city hospitals, and partial drills are seen as positive developments. Strengthening knowledge, equipment, and organizational capacity is essential to enhance prehospital response to CBRN incidents. In Türkiye, raising awareness of CBRN, expanding training for UMKE and 112 teams, increasing field exercises, and updating disaster plans are recommended. A multi-stakeholder, scenario-based preparedness process will contribute to national health security.
This article presents the results of research aimed at determining the feasibility of using spatial data in the Polish State Fire Service. The study explores the legal, organizational, and technical factors influencing this use, based on surveys conducted with fire service officers who use spatial data in their work. The conducted research employed both theoretical (critical document analysis) and empirical methods (diagnostic survey method with questionnaire). Based on statistically significant research results, it was determined that legal and technical conditions do not limit the possibilities of using spatial data. However, in the case of organizational conditions, the greatest barrier to utilizing spatial data is the lack of training for State Fire Service officers in the specified area. In this way, the hypothesis was positively verified, stating that the assessment of the possibilities for using spatial data for the State Fire Service must take into account legal, organizational, and technical conditions.
This paper examines the evolving threat of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) materials in terrorism, focusing on their potential use by terrorist organizations and challenges in detection and prevention. It outlines various CBRN materials, including chemical agents like nerve and blister agents, biological pathogens such as anthrax, radiological sources like cesium-137, and nuclear materials. Historical case studies, like the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack and the 2001 anthrax letters, illustrate their devastating potential. The Ukraine conflict is used as a case study to highlight increased CBRN risks in war-torn environments. Scenarios involving nuclear power plants or chemical facilities underscore the need for stringent security measures and international cooperation. Technological advancements in detection and response, such as wireless sensor networks, portable detection devices, and advanced decontamination solutions, are crucial. Public awareness and preparedness, through education and training programs for first responders, enhance community resilience and readiness. In conclusion, addressing CBRN terrorism requires a coordinated approach, including international cooperation, stringent regulations, technological advancements and public education.
