This Echo is READ ONLY !   NO Un-Authorized Messages Please!
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Canadian Space Agency

Press Release
**************************************************
International Charter supporting Spanish Disaster Relief

November 21, 2002 - As the oil tanker Prestige was floundering off the 
coast of Spain, the Canadian satellite RADARSAT-1 was dispatched, 
under the International Charter Space and Major Disasters, to acquire 
images in support of relief efforts being undertaken. The RADARSAT-1 
image was processed by Radarsat International and delivered to the 
French Space Agency for interpretation. Delivered to the Environment 
Division of the European Commission and the Spanish authorities in 
Galicia, this image has helped validate the terrain elevation and 
define the area of the disaster and has been characterised as being 
very valuable to their ongoing efforts.

The International Charter on Space and Major Disasters partners have
activated the Charter following a request received through the 
European Commission on November 14, 2002. Space-agencies, members of 
the International Charter, tasked their satellites to capture images 
over the disaster area. These space-based resources include the 
Canadian Space Agency's RADARSAT-1, the European Space Agency's ERS-2 
radar satellite and Envisat, the French space agency's optical SPOT 
satellites. Note that the RADARSAT-1, which was the only satellite 
available at the time of the request, captures data in any weather 
conditions, day and night.

The International Charter on Space and Major Disasters is the 
expression of a collective resolve to put space technology at the 
service of rescue authorities in the event of a major disaster. Its 
current members are the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the European 
Space Agency (ESA), the French Space Agency (CNES), the Indian Space 
Research Organization (ISRO) and the U.S. National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  This Charter was set up in the 
framework of the UNISPACE III Conference of the United Nations in 1999 
and has been in force since November 1, 2000. 

About the French Space Agency
 (CNES - Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales)
As a national space agency, CNES is in charge of conceiving, directing 
and implementing the French space policy. It is actively engaged in 
developing the use of space to meet the civil and military needs of 
public authorities and satisfy the requirements of the scientific 
community and fostering the development and dissemination of new 
applications designed to create wealth and employment. CNES also 
drives space science policy, particularly in the field of Earth 
sciences.

About the CSA
Established in 1989 with its headquarters situated in Saint-Hubert, 
Quebec, the Canadian Space Agency coordinates all aspects of the 
Canadian Space Program. Through its Space Knowledge, Applications and 
Industry Development business line, the CSA delivers services 
involving: Earth and the Environment; Space Science; Human Presence in 
Space; Satellite Communications; Space Technology; Space Qualification 
Services; Space Awareness and Education. The Canadian Space Agency is 
at the forefront of the development and application of space knowledge 
for the benefit of Canadians and humanity.

The images are available at: 

http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/results2.asp?image_id=oil-0001

For information:
Canadian Space Agency
Monique Billette
Tel.: + 1 450 926 4370
Monique.Billette{at}space.gc.ca

CNES:
Sandra Laly
Tel.: + 33 1 44 76 77 32
Sandra.laly{at}cnes.fr

 - End of File -
================

---