Successful efforts of Indian and International organisations in the application of satellite technologies for the management of numerous disasters had notable outcomes in terms of saving human lives and resources. Recent years saw increased applications of small (nano) satellites in disaster management not only because of their time and cost advantages but also due to their utility in preparedness, response and recovery in the case of disasters. Continuously evolving small satellite technologies demand reliable, robust, cost-effective and easy-to-fabricate sensors and devices such that they complement the specific needs of small satellite missions.

The SSTDM 2014 International Workshop is primarily an effort for identification and further development of small-satellite and sensor technologies with an ultimate aim of serving the disaster management needs. Uniqueness of the proposed workshop is its ability to network experienced Indo US and International experts in related areas such that joint development projects are engendered through effective sharing of risks, costs and resources. These envisaged collaborative projects will have innate focus on serving the socio-economic causes and technology-development needs of both India and international community with compliance to the existing frameworks.

Key objectives of the workshop are to:

• Foster Indo-US collaboration in the Areas of Small Satellites and Sensor Technology for Disaster Monitoring/Management,
• Facilitate creating a technology-platform and a tangible working-model that can provide long-term sustenance to the collaborations by allowing the like-minded partners in India and US to participate at a commensurate level in integrating and testing advanced sensors in near-and-mid-term small satellite missions relevant to disaster management.

The scope of the workshop is to:

• Exchange Scientific Knowledge to identify Challenges and needs in the areas of space based sensors, and Early warning of Disasters
• Develop collaborative Projects to encourage next generation students and workforce to formulate and implement unique projects. .

The envisaged projects, outside the ITAR constraints, will see participation of both the Indian and International teams led by distinguished experts in respective sectors. Leveraging the experience of such an expert gathering, the proposed SSTDM 2014 International Workshop will hold sessions along the following tracks:

• Track 1: System architecture, Lessons Learned, and Challenges
• Track 2: Small Satellites and Sensor Technology Status
• Track 3: Discussion and Identification of Collaborative Projects:

The focus of the proposed collaborative project themes include:

1. Forest Fires
2. Earthquakes
3. Floods, Landslides
4. Tsunami, Dangerous sea conditions
5. Pollution, and Dust Storms

The SSTDM 2014 International Workshop has a unique flow-down format which emphasizes, as its primary deliverables: (a) collaborative project framework proposed for joining as a stakeholder, (b) the functional issues, costs, timeframes, funding opportunities and benefits, and (c) the envisioned benefits to socio-economic and technology-development pursuits.

In summary, with the pressing common needs and the evolving technological challenges that are prevalent in both India and elsewhere, the SSTDM 2014 International Workshop, sponsored by the Indo-US S&T Forum, is the first step in laying the foundation for international collaborative projects.