Lives could be saved in flood-prone Dumfries and Galloway communities – thanks to a helping hand from outer space.
Data from a new satellite emergency mapping service (SEMS) will mean faster alert and response systems – revolutionising the way Scotland tackles flooding emergencies.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) launched the innovative system at the inaugural Space-Comm Expo in Glasgow.
Its satellite imaging technology delivers real-time high-resolution data and insights – meaning potential threats can be spotted earlier and dealt with more efficiently.
The Whitesands in Dumfries, Newton Stewart and Solway coast communities periodically receive flood warnings due to overflowing rivers or coastal storm surges.
The SEMS, which is open to all emergency responders across the country and operates 365 days a year, has on-call provision available 24 hours a day and will be equally valuable in tackling wildfires, landslides and oil spills.
Claire Neil, principal scientist at SEPA, said: ”SEPA is proud to lead this initiative, which will not only save lives and protect critical infrastructure, but also mitigate environmental damage during crises.
“Our work is testament to the importance of collaboration across sectors to safeguard our environment.
“The ability to access stable, consistent, near real-time data from space adds an unprecedented layer of precision to our efforts in managing environmental risks.
“The technology’s potential for both immediate crisis management and long-term planning is immense.
“We look forward to working with our partners, in what is a cost-effective service for the public sector for safeguarding our environment and our communities.”
The new service forms part of the International Charter Space and Major Disasters, a global network of over 270 satellites from 17 charter members around the world, working to support disaster relief.
SEPA is the only organisation in Scotland able to activate the charter and give emergency responders access to critical satellite imagery, allowing them to assess the full scope of damage, find critical hotspots, and prioritise areas for intervention – even in areas where weather or hazardous conditions make ground assessments impossible.
The service will also contribute to future crisis preparedness, using baseline data collected by satellites to model potential scenarios, inform long-term resilience planning, and develop more effective response strategies.
SEPA’s initiative also marks a significant milestone for Scotland’s growing space industry – and positions the country as a leader in environmental protection and space technology.
Sarah-Jane Gill, chief of staff at the UK Space Agency, said the development and launch of SEMS was “a perfect example” of how space technology can be used for disaster risk reduction and to support public services.
She added: “As SEPA is demonstrating, innovations in this sector can help address environmental and climate challenges, safeguard communities and infrastructure, and benefit citizens across the country.”
The launch underscores the Scottish Government’s commitment to fostering the country’s space sector while addressing urgent environmental challenges at home and abroad.
Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland is not only well placed to reap huge economic benefits from the growth of our space sector, but to harness the technology as a tremendous force for good across a range of important services and applications.
“The launch of SEPA’s ground-breaking satellite emergency mapping service is the perfect example of how we can innovate, collaborate and deliver cutting-edge solutions to some of the most serious and significant challenges of our time.”
“We’re extremely interested to see how new technologies can improve the safety of communities and our staff, enhance resilience and potentially save lives during environmental emergencies.”