While communication in the area can be difficult when an emergency occurs, it is vital for rescue workers and those affected. Now, researchers at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) in Spain appear to have found a quick solution to this problem. Using 3D printing, the research team demonstrated that they could build the necessary telecommunications in as little as 90 minutes.Today, broadband internet is so common that no one realizes its importance until it becomes unusable. From work to entertainment to staying in touch with family and friends, everything these days runs on a high-speed internet backbone delivered via cable or wireless. This uninterrupted connection can take a big hit when a natural or artificial emergency occurs. In recent history, volcanic eruptions in Tonga, Russian attacks in Ukraine and Israeli attacks on Gaza demonstrate the importance of this communication.
Can meet urgent communication needs
A team of UOC researchers has demonstrated that nanosatellites can be produced using 3D printing technique to provide emergency communication and that this satellite can be deployed using a hot air balloon. Installation is relatively simple and consists of three components, two of which remain on the ground. While the nanosatellite, also known as CubeSat, built with a 3D printer, is deployed above the emergency area using a hot air balloon, the other two ground components of the system are also deployed to the region. All components in the system use Long Range (LoRa) radio technology to provide service in a wide area.While the research team states that the relevant CubeSat satellite can be made longer-lasting by supporting photovoltaic cells, they also state that the system has a scalable structure. However, the researchers note that they chose CubeSats because of their small size and ease of deployment and retrieval. Additionally, the launch route of the CubeSat, which uses a hot air balloon, can be mapped using computer simulations, taking into account the weather conditions in the region.
The team now aims to further shorten deployment times and increase the number of situations where this approach can be used. In fact, such simple and fast solutions provide a way to restore interrupted communication, especially in a war environment. At the same time, the dependence on Elon Musk’s Starlink can also be reduced.
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