Ensuring the safety of citizens even when communication networks are down — this is the goal of the European project AWARE, coordinated by Telespazio France and funded by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). The project has reached a new milestone with its second live demonstration of the public warning system, held at the JCDecaux headquarters in Plaisir, in the Île-de-France region.
The initiative showcased how the satellite signal from the Galileo Emergency Warning Satellite Service (EWSS) can be used to broadcast emergency messages directly in public spaces, through JCDecaux’s digital information displays. In the event of an alert — such as an extreme weather event, a fire, or an industrial accident — the AWARE module enables visual and audio warnings to be disseminated in real time, even without mobile network coverage or an internet connection.
During the simulation, which replicated a severe thunderstorm and a hazardous materials incident near the city center, the digital panels connected to the system received the satellite signal and broadcast an immediate alert message, demonstrating the effectiveness of the link with Galileo. The result confirms the potential of space innovation to enhance urban safety and resilience.
The event brought together representatives from the AWARE consortium, civil protection authorities, and public decision-makers, who were able to observe the system’s speed and precision in turning a satellite signal into a localized alert message. The demonstration confirmed the technological and operational maturity of the AWARE module, designed to complement existing warning systems and expand communication capacity in crisis situations.
Coordinated by Telespazio France, the AWARE project brings together eight partners from four countries: CNES, FDC, JCDecaux, and the University of Strasbourg (France); EENA (Belgium); Genasys (Spain); and the Civil Protection Authority of Slovenia.
Following the first demonstration in Slovenia, the 2025 French edition confirms the system’s robustness and adaptability even in complex urban environments, marking an important step toward a safer, more interconnected, and more resilient Europe ready to face the emergencies of the future.