How To Activate the Charter
The Charter is activated through a confidential telephone number known only to Authorized Users (AUs), namely national public safety organisations – civil protection, rescue, defence and security bodies – who are in close communication with front-line emergency responders.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, somewhere in the world an On-Duty Operator (ODO) stands by ready to receive a call to activate the Charter. The ODO receives the call, checks the identity of the requestor and obtains and confirms the satellite data required.
This information is transmitted to an Emergency on-Call Officer (ECO) within the hour. The ECO analyses the request and the scope of the disaster and identifies the most appropriate and timely data acquisition plan possible using the satellites available. He then tasks the appropriate Member Space Agencies within hours, submits formal requests for new images and/or archive images and gathers all the relevant information into a single dossier which can then be transferred to a dedicated Project Manager (PM).
The Project Manager, who is experienced in data ordering, handling and application, ensures that the satellite images are sent to the End User (EU). The Project Manager confirms the accuracy of the data and can call on external Value Added Resellers (VAR) who have the ability and expertise to turn the satellite images into relevant maps and diagrams. These maps are often requested by front-line emergency responders who may otherwise find it difficult to interpret a satellite image.
Behind the scenes, the Charter process is implemented and administrated by the International Charter Executive Secretariat and monitored by the International Charter Board. Each Member Space Agency has a representative at both Executive Secretariat and Board level and both groups meet a minimum of twice a year to discuss and develop methods of improving and enhancing the Charter to ultimately improve the outcomes, survival rates and quality of life of those affected by global disaster.
In the UK, the International Charter Board Member is provided by the British National Space Centre (BNSC) and the Executive Secretariat Member is from DMC International Imaging (DMCii).
The International Charter is neither subsidized nor profit-making. It is a humanitarian mission relying on the goodwill of its Member Space Agencies. Each Agency takes a turn to lead the Charter for a six-month period, hosting meetings, solving problems, developing operating protocols and resolving technical issues. Each Member Agency also provides and co-ordinates an ODO, ECO and PM service. (ODO and ECO can sometimes be combined).
The UK last lead the Charter from October 2007-April 2008.