Successful demonstration of LIMES in Cyprus A demonstration of the LIMES (Land and Sea Integrated Monitoring for European Security) project, co-ordinated by Telespazio concerning Humanitarian Relief services, took place successfully in Cyprus from 7 to 12 June. The demonstration, named Assessment Mission Course (AMC), was carried out in partnership with the German and Cypriot civil protection agencies, with experts from the EU Monitoring and Information Centre in Brussels, and with the participation of the Italian civil protection agency. The aim was to test and evaluate the benefits of using satellite-based systems to manage humanitarian rescue operations in the case of natural disasters such as earthquakes For exercises such as this, the LIMES project provides a system that can offer rapid mapping and navigation services. The rapid mapping service – developed by DLR, the German Aerospace Center – aims to give rescue teams up-to-date and detailed satellite images of the disaster zone within only a few hours. The navigation service – developed by Telespazio and provided with the support of the Scanzano Space Centre – allows the position of rescue teams in the emergency areas to be monitored. The system allows the teams to send and receive georeferenced photos of the territory, information and alerts, via a web-based user interface. LIMES is an Integrated Project co-funded by the European Commission within the 6° Framework Programme – Aeronautics&Space/GMES Security. It has started on December 1st 2006, will end in 2010 and involves around 50 Partners. The LIMES Project goal is to supplement the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) program by providing expertise in the security area through the development of applications and services relating to security, applying innovative solutions based on Earth Observation systems and satellite Communication and Positioning technologies.