By Anthony Wood
Despite being in orbit for less than two months, the ESA’s Sentinel-1A satellite is already showing its worth in the humanitarian sphere by aiding with relief efforts in the Balkans, where flood waters are estimated to have killed dozens, leaving thousands more displaced.
Whilst not yet technically operational, the satellite was targeted to survey the heavily-flooded region using its radar imaging system, allowing the new data to be integrated with existing flood maps created by the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS). The data will aid emergency relief services to create a more unified picture of the surrounding area, allowing them to pinpoint population centers most in need of support and expediting the deployment of resources.
Original Source: http://www.gizmag.com/sentinel-1a-flood-relief-balkans-esa-radar-imaging/32310/
