Space systems now enable many services that are vital for human health. Air quality monitoring and disease vector mapping are examples where space-based data is integrated with non-space systems. Examples from crisis response range from telemedicine to mobile treatment centres for Ebola, or more routinely the equipping of ambulances with satcoms and satnav. Through the multi-disciplinary Harwell Health Tec Cluster, ESA is promoting lessons learned in space about how to treat major health issues such as the ageing population.
Alan Brunstrom: ESA Liaison Officer at the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire
Alan has worked on the commercial side of the space industry for over 30 years, in both the private and public sectors.
In 2009 he returned to the UK from Australia, to help build up both the new European Space Agency centre at Harwell and the associated UK space cluster. He believes strongly that the future of the space industry depends upon greater engagement with the wider community, especially through developing inspiring missions and down-to-earth applications whose value is clear to everyone.
Alan studied geography at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and is a published author of both fiction and non-fiction.