(ANSA)- Rome, June 28 - Italian space technology experts on
Tuesday presented a Mediterranean surveillance project they have
developed by integrating satellite systems with operative units.
The Closeye project, set up by the Italian Space Agency
(ASI) with the Navy, the Interior Ministry, and the support of
Leonardo Finmeccanica, aims to provide the European Union with
an innovative technology system for monitoring the southern
maritime borders of the union and improving the ability to react
to emergencies.
The earth observation system Cosmo SkyMed collects images
and the Athena-Fidus satellite transmits elaborated data using
software that can recognise different types of sea vessels from
space, including those used for illegal migration or trafficking
of goods.
"The strong point of this project is the word integrated,"
said ASI President Roberto Battiston, adding that it could serve
as a "prototype for what needs to become tomorrow a possibility
to supply integrated services that take advantage of the
capacities we have, in the sea, on earth and in space, to manage
the migratory emergency we are experiencing in Europe, also in a
preventative way," he said.
The project has been running for a few years and will soon
be part of a new European project due to be launched shortly.
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