Calling on satellites in alpine rescues

TeleConsult Austria, with the support of ESA, has developed and tested an Internet-based system that combines satellites and hybrid technologies. It can replace traditional FM radio, which is sometimes unreliable in mountainous regions, with a smartphone carrying the Sarontar app and a satellite modem. Back at mission control, a team coordinates the operation and directs the crew on the way to the accident. This involves tracking, instructing, monitoring and recording the progress. The Sarontar application makes their job easier, too. Sarontar stands for Situational Awareness and Command & Control of Rescue Forces in Alpine Regions and it uses backend software to record the whole operation, create a visual of all regular GPS positioning data, shows messages and warnings from the teams on the mountain, and displays the information graphically on a map. Mission coordination and documentation are all in one place and can be used to report on the mission.