QSAR ATAK Project
One shared live map for search and rescue.
When someone goes missing near Quinhagak, Eek, or Goodnews Bay, the search involves drones in the air, searchers on the ground, and coordinators at a desk. Today each of those sees something different. This project puts all of them on one live map: every searcher’s location, the drone’s camera view, and messages — visible to everyone at the same time, even far from cell service.
It is built by and for QSAR Inc. (Quinhagak Search and Rescue) with support from Nalaquq, LLC, using free, government-built mapping software called TAK — the same tools used by firefighters and rescue teams across the country.
Start here
| Page | What it covers |
|---|---|
| How it works | The whole system in plain language, with a picture |
| Glossary | Every acronym and product name, explained simply |
| Inventory guide | How to record and look up team equipment |
| Getting device lists | For technicians: downloading the Skydio and Somewear exports |
| Project plan | What we’re building, in what order, and what’s done |
| For developers | Code layout, tests, and technical references |
The short version
- Every phone becomes a map. Searchers install a free app (ATAK on Android, iTAK on iPhone). Everyone sees everyone.
- The drone joins the map. Skydio drone video and position stream to the same map, so the whole team sees what the camera sees.
- Beacons cover the dead zones. Somewear satellite beacons keep searchers on the map even with no cell signal or internet — anywhere on the tundra.
- Starlink ties it together. The village Starlink panels connect everyone to a shared server in the cloud.