Feasibility Study of using a Small Satellite Constellation to Forecast, Monitor and Mitigate Natural and Man-made Disasters in Chile and Similar Developing Countries

The humanitarian and economical effects that disasters have on developing countries might be diminished by using a satellite system. Although this capability has not been largely exploited by developing countries, the current trends on small satellite development encourage them to use the new paradigm possibilities. Today Chile, a developing country with high-frequency and diverse-type of disasters, is facing the problem of forecasting, monitoring and mitigating disasters. This work studies the feasibility of using small satellites to perform this activity. The need of ground-based sensor network in combination with satellite constellation for robustness is also analyzed.