How can space technologies contribute to a faster and more effective response in emergency situations? This was the central question addressed during the side event dedicated to space applications for civil security, organised by the Smart Connect project consortium at We Make Future 2026 (WMF), one of Europe’s largest innovation events.
The session brought together experts from different fields to demonstrate how technologies such as Earth Observation, satellite communications, Artificial Intelligence, drones and digital twins can support the entire civil protection cycle, from prevention and monitoring to operational response on the ground.
Representing INOV, Inês Valente, Business Developer for the CICLOPE system, presented the use case developed in Portugal as part of Smart Connect, demonstrating how the integration of data from satellites, drones and field teams can improve situational awareness and support firefighters’ decision-making during firefighting operations.
The event highlighted the importance of turning large volumes of data into actionable information for those working on the ground. Rather than simply generating new data, the challenge lies in integrating it in a simple and interoperable way into the operational processes of emergency response teams, increasing response effectiveness and strengthening civil protection resilience.
Funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), Smart Connect brings together European partners to develop space-based services for civil security. INOV contributes to the validation of these solutions in operational contexts, drawing on its extensive experience in technological collaboration with authorities in emergency response, strengthening the link between applied engineering, space innovation and civil protection.