Satellite-based Services for Disaster Risk Management in the Czech Republic

Lucie Kopecká,Space Policy Adviser, Czech Ministry of Transport

Lucie Kopecka works at the Czech Ministry of Transport, where she is responsible for satellite navigation and communication. She serves as the Czech delegate to the European Commission Space Programme Committee — Galileo and EGNOS Configuration & GOVSATCOM Configuration. She is also a delegate to the European Space Agency and contributes to the coordination of Czech space activities, including support for national industry involvement in space programmes. Previously, she worked for an upstream space company and completed a Schuman traineeship at the European Parliament. Ms. Kopecka holds a double degree from the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (Germany) and Mendel University in Brno (Czech Republic).

 

Dominique Tilmans, President, Eurisy

Dominique holds the title of Honorary Senator in Belgium. During her electing mandates in the Belgian parliament, which spanned 27 years, she invested a lot of energy in space matters. She held the position of Chair of the « Belgian Senate Space Group» and she also presided over the «European Interparliamentary Space conference». In 2016, she was elected Chair of Eurisy, a non- profit Association which aims to bridge space and Society. She is also a Member of the Advisory Council of ESPI (European Space Policy Institute) in Vienna and, a Member of the Board of Vitrociset Belgium. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Europlanet 2024 RI. Concerned by the difficulties of the space industry to recruit young graduates, she launched YouSpace in 2014 and in 2018 she launched in 2018 “Switch to Space” an event with 50 speaker’s representing experts in space and more than 500 students. Between 2019 and 2022, Dominique served as Vice-President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). Currently, she is a Special Advisor to the IAF President on Parliamentarian and Ministerial Relations.

 

Vasilis Kalogirou, Space Downstream Research & Innovation Officer, EUSPA

Vasilis Kalogirou, is a Space Downstream Research & Innovation Officer at the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). He is contributing in the definition and management of the Agency’s Research & Innovation portfolio, as well as the market development in the area of Governmental applications. Vasilis obtained his MSc in Remote Sensing from the University College London (UCL) and his PhD in Geoinformation from the University of Rome. His experience spans over various downstream space applications including the setup and delivery of operational Earth Observation services.

 

Vincent Chatelée, Galileo EWSS and SAR Service Manager, EUSPA

 

 

Flavio Sbardellati, Governmental and Downstream Research & Innovation Manager, EUSPA

Flavio Sbardellati is Governmental and Downstream Research and Innovation Manager at the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), which he joined in 2015.

Within the EUSPA mission to link space with user needs, he is responsible for the development of downstream applications and space technology, with focus on market verticals requiring secure and protected services. He leads the EUSPA uptake activities with respect to governmental users and stakeholders, as well as research & innovation aimed at receivers, terminals and user-oriented solutions leveraging on EU Space services across all the components.

Prior to joining the EUSPA, Mr. Sbardellati held several project management positions in both the aerospace and the telecommunications industry.

 

Marie Menard, Senior Communication Officer, EUSPA 

Marie Ménard is a seasoned communications professional with extensive experience in the European Union space sector. She currently serves as a Senior Communication Officer at the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), where she leads strategic communication initiatives to promote the EU Space programme and services. Her role encompasses media relations, public outreach, and stakeholder engagement, aiming to enhance public understanding and support for the EU’s space endeavours.

Marie’s experience in communication and public outreach supports EUSPA’s efforts to promote its activities and engage with stakeholders across the space sector. She holds a DEA in business development from Audencia and a master’s degree in strategic development from Reims Business School.

Boris Prochazka, Co-Founder of GINA System

Boris Prochazka studied at the Brno Faculty of Technology and later co-founded GINA Software, a company specialising in advanced solutions for emergency response and crisis management.

GINA Software develops innovative platforms that enable real-time coordination for first responders, humanitarian organisations, and disaster relief teams. Through projects such as CISERES, GINA Software integrates satellite technology to enhance situational awareness, optimise resource deployment, and support decision-making during natural disasters and complex emergencies. Boris’s work reflects a commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to save lives and improve disaster preparedness worldwide.

 

Jan Jelenek, Senior Researcher in Remote Sensing and Geospatial, Czech Geological Survey 

Jan Jelenek is a Senior Researcher with 13 years of experience at the Czech Geological Survey, specializing in Remote Sensing and Geospatial analysis. He is a graduate of Charles University Prague, with additional educational experience from the Technical University Vienna.

His core expertise includes optical and radar Earth observation (EO) data analysis, UAV data acquisition, and field spectroscopy. He is exploring cross-expertise collaborations, and is supporting the Remote sensing team in a variety of geological topics, including environmental monitoring, active tectonics, geological mapping, hydrogeology, and structural geology.

Jan has contributed to over 10 major international research projects, including work on the national center of competence for slope deformations, geological and slope deformation mapping in Ethiopia, and geohazard assessment in Georgia. He currently leads the Remote Sensing topics within the Rock Environment and Minerals project. Furthermore, Jan is an active member of the EuroGeoSurveys (EGS) expert group on Urban geology and contributes to various international capacity-building initiatives.

 

Simon Seidl, Head of business, World fom Space

 Simon Seidl is focusing on the transition of navigation and collaboration in Challenging environments or situations.

He has experience with projects all around the globe: From Czech and German Firefighting, over Disaster Response in Lebanon and Türkiye, to Medical support in Ukraine and Israel.
In GINA Software, he worked on projects supporting first responders (like bluelights or disaster response teams) with Dispatch and Field coordination tool adaptation – systems revolving around EO-powered GIS interface.

 

Today, Simon advances this mission at World from Space, helping automate the analysis of Earth Observation (EO) data to deliver fast, actionable insights for decision-making:

This involves applications like mapping of impacted infrastructure, determination of navigable terrain, or damage assessment. In this aspect, Satellite data are a critical tool, enabling consistent large-scale scanning. Global coverage, combined with a variety of sensors, extends visual and drone screening capabilities to enable decision-making in crisis situations.

 

František Zadražil, Head of Software Development, Czech Centre for Science and Society

František currently works as a head of SW development within organizations focusing, among other things, on the use of spatial data for the areas of precision agriculture and citizen science. He has been working in the GIS field since he graduated in 2006 (Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality Engineering). After years of SW development using various platforms (MapServer, GeoServer, ArcGIS) he became a GIS team leader and project manager and contributed on implementing numerous GEO systems for the public and private sector and as a part of EU research projects. He has an expertise in GIS architecture and analysis.

 

Vratislav Hruska, Police

Tomas Dusa, Director, GNSS Centre of Excellence

Dr. Tomáš Duša has its background in air traffic management and aviation in general. He is involved in the space technology domain for more than 15 years, focused primarily on GNSS not only in aviation but other transport modes and markets. As Director of the GNSS Centre of Excellence, Tomáš leads activities focused on the integration of GNSS in transport, industry, safety-critical applications and critical infrastructures. As the national expert he is member of various international and EC´s working groups. He also supports space startups within the ESA BIC Czech Republic and provides expert guidance as a Specialist Adviser at CzechInvest – the Czech national agency for innovations and investments. He is strongly committed to implementation Galileo differentiators into applications, namely Galileo PRS, OSNMA, HAS and EWSS.

 

Dr. Graham Turnock, Secretary General, Eurisy 

Dr Turnock holds a PhD in Particle Physics from Cambridge University for his work at the European Organization for Nuclear Research. He was a UK civil servant for almost 30 years during which time he also worked in the European Commission and the French administration. After serving as Chief Executive Officer of the UK Space Agency (2017-2021), he led the Accelerator Programme at the European Space Agency, and from 2025 he serves as Eurisy Secretary General, where he leads the team working closely with EURISY Members and wider stakeholders.

 

Dr. Christina Giannopapa, Head of the Office of the Executive Director, EUSPA

Dr. Christina Giannopapa is the Head of the Office of the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). Prior, she was advisor to the Secretary General of Telecommunications and Post of the Ministry of Digital Governance in Greece, seconded from the European Space Agency (ESA). In ESA, she held various posts including the Head of Political Affairs Office of the Director General. She has received 14 academic scholarships and awards and has more than 80 publications in peer-reviewed journals, books and conferences. She has co‐edited the Springer “Handbook on space security”. Dr. Giannopapa is an elected member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) and the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA).She is the Vice Chair of the Committee on Space Security of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and prior was the Chair of the Committee for Liaison with International Organisations and Developing Nations (CLIODN). She is also the Chair of the Board of Women in Aerospace Europe (WIA-E).  Dr. Giannopapa holds a Ph.D. in Engineering and Applied Mathematics; an MEng in Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Mechatronics; and an MBA in International Management from the University of London.