Failure of space based services
- Navigation and localisation, such as GPS and other satellite systems that provide position and time information.
- Satellite images, to help the emergency services, forecast the weather and issue warnings.
- Communication services, such as broadband Internet and data transmission for civilian, military and commercial purposes.
What can you do?
The right reflexes to take in the event of a failure of space services vary depending on the consequences. Check our advice in the event of:
Impact and probability
The figures relating to probability and impact describe a extreme failure of space services. The BNRA theoretically describes such a scenario as follows:
- A failure affects several services simultaneously.
- It lasts more than 7 days.
- It causes irreversible damage.
How should you interpret these results?
Within the BNRA, experts assessed three scenarios for each risk: considerable, major or extreme. On each page, you will find the results of the scenario with the highest score based on the combination of likelihood and impact. This does not mean that this scenario will occur or is the most likely. Read more here about how to correctly interpret the results.
Probability
Moderate
Human impact
Very weak
Societal impact
Moderate
Environmental impact
No impact
Financial impact
Moderate
What do the authorities do?
The Royal Observatory of Belgium studies space weather, which can disrupt space services. It sends daily reports and alerts in the event of increased solar activity, for example.