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ESA in cooperation with EARSC held this Industry Consultation workshop. Conclusions will actively take part in shaping the 5th ESA Earth Observation Envelope Program, planned to start early 2017.

The EO satellite sector is evolving rapidly, both in terms of data availability and new commercial initiatives. Copernicus, the world’s first operational multi-platform EO programme is becoming a reality with four Sentinel satellites already in orbit. New and innovative satellite operators are entering the market especially in the US, new data sources are emerging – including unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and crowd or citizen sources using mobile technologies. Large IT companies such as Google and Amazon are seeking to establish global, geospatial initiatives (eg. Terra Bella).

Europe has an active and vibrant EO services sector, with over 500 companies spread through the Member States making over €900m revenues and generating nearly 7000 highly skilled jobs in 2014. Most of these companies are very small, but represent a highly skilled industry providing leading-edge EO-based products & services. The challenge will be to nourish these capabilities and ensure competitiveness and growth in the European and global market-place over the years to come.

In the Earth Observation Envelope Program (EOEP5) proposal to the 2016 ESA ministerial meeting, ESA is introducing elements aimed at addressing these challenges for the period 2017-2021, and will present the plans for discussion. ‘EO-Innovation Europe’ will address key enabling technologies such as application platforms, while other elements will focus on expanding use of EO and uptake within key demand sectors. A first consultation meeting between ESA and EARSC was held in September 2015 focusing on the exchange of ideas for the creation of a new environment for EO data exploitation and innovation in Europe, in line with the new ground segment evolution strategy. These discussions have continued and the latest status will be reviewed,

The objectives of this Industry Consultation were to discuss the following issues :

  • ESA’s current plans and proposals for activities under EOEP5
  • Which user sectors (public and private) offer the greatest opportunity to expand and grow demand for what types of EO-based information?
  • Develop a common understanding with respect to key enabling technologies required to support the European EO service sector
  • What support actions are required from ESA for Industry to fully realize these opportunities (short-term, mid-term)?

Summary of discussions

Here follows a summary of the discussion that took place in the afternoon session, which was mainly focused on EO based services and user uptake

  • The importance of end user involvement. It was considered important that ESA play a role in federating user communities in order to support companies and organizations trying to develop a sustainable business based upon EO platforms. ESA has the potential to leverage EO towards large public and private user organizations way beyond the individual capabilities of SMEs, and this should be continues in EOEP5. Having the user pull will also be important for consolidating the requirements on which the EO platforms will be developed.
  • Importance of commercial data for operational services: Even thought the amount of freely available EO data is increasing rapidly (especially because of the Sentinels) and is made available via platforms such as GEE and Amazon Web services it was emphasized that many EO based services also require data from commercial satellites in order to meet user requirements, and these data are not available via these platforms.
  • Sentinel data availability via the Sci-hub: Several participants explained that the Sentinel data can be downloaded from the ESA data hub if done in the right way, i.e. using scripts that automate the download interface procedure. These scripts are now available on the web and in theory could be used by anyone.
  • ESA funding mechanisms: Different types of funding mechanisms could be suitable for differ phases of a product development cycle. I.e. early phase exploratory prototype developments will need to smaller, faster procurements, while EO service developments involving end users will require larger and longer terms funding mechanisms.
  • Boot camps and innovation labs: It was emphasized that suitable boot camps initiatives exist and that inventing new ones could be counterproductive. One should instead try to build upon those that exist and take benefit from existing infrastructure, communities and capabilities.
  • Industry role in science: Industry expressed the wish to be even more present in ESA EOEP5 science focused elements, in order to ensure that industry can better take advantage of cutting edge development that would otherwise remain within the science community of universities and institutions.

Conclusions

Some lessons learned from the meeting:

  • The large number of attendees shows the interest to have such a meeting on a regular basis. Feedback afterwards suggested more interaction would have been welcomed.
  • This meeting followed the first one of this type held with ESA ground segment in September 2015.
  • Despite leaving time on the agenda, in the end there was not enough time to discuss as much as would have been liked. Feedback came from some participants that they would have liked more exchange. This was certainly inhibited by being in the large hall which is not a good setting for discussion.
  • Some questions were developed during the meeting and feedback was requested by ESA afterwards. A short survey for attendees to complete would have sharpened up some of the impressions of the meeting.
  • An annual, open meeting has been foreseen with ESA. This first event with all the ESA-ESRIN partners showed the desire to have such an opportunity to really exchange more than an information day. Whilst this event fell at the time to consult on EOEP5, future meetings can take other topics as a framework for discussion. At the heart, should always be an exchange on the current issues concerning ESA and industry.

Presentations

EARSC and The Green Land investigated the benefits brought by the use of satellite imagery to monitor gas pipelines at affordable costs in the Netherlands. Between €15.2m and €18.3m of economic benefit could be made each year in the whole country thanks to this application.

Indeed, subsidence can cause gas and water pipelines to break right where they enter houses. Satellite images show hot spots where ground movement is taking place.

It thus allows a targeted replacement programme: the maintenance strategy has now become focused on areas of higher risk. Instead of replacing pipes and connections in a single district pipes serving individual houses or streets can be replaced. The result is better investment of resources by the pipeline operators and less risk to consumers from gas leaks or disruption from major water leaks.

This report is the last of a series of three cases in the frame of the study “Assessing the detailed economic benefits derived from Copernicus Earth Observation (EO) data within selected value chains”, undertaken by EARSC under an assignment from the European Space Agency (ESA).

Report at the EARSC website

Three concrete cases have been analysed in the frame of the study “Assessing the detailed economic benefits derived from Copernicus Earth Observation (EO) data within selected value chains”, undertaken by EARSC under an assignment from the European Space Agency (ESA).

In studies looking at public sector investments (eg in Copernicus), socio-economic studies analyse the economic benefits which will be generated. For EO programmes, this approach is very top down looking at broad brush benefits. In a study funded by ESA, EARSC, in collaboration with the Green Land BV ,has been developing an alternative approach which is very focused and bottom-up.

The goal of the study was to gather quantitative evidence that the usage of Copernicus Sentinel data provides an effective and convenient support to various market applications. As part of it, we defined and applied a new methodology to assess the full benefits (direct and indirect) stemming from the use of EO-derived geospatial information, in a way which has not been tackled before.

We examined how the benefits of using these data either do or can affect a full value chain by starting from the primary usage and then following the related impact down various identified tiers in the value chain. The new methodology was applied to three use cases, which have been selected considering the maturity of the application as well as the feasibility for the sake of the study.

We studied three cases:

For each case, we identified a defined product which is being used operationally to support a process within an organization, identified the value chain linking the various users and investigated the cascaded effects and the benefits brought by the use of satellite imagery for each tier down to value chain.

We’ve published 3 reports which you can find below.

A video illustrating the 3 cases studied has also been produced

Satellites benefiting citizens from EARSC on Vimeo.

A Horizon 2020 funded project, GEO-CRADLE is first and foremost an exciting opportunity to interconnect a regional community of geo-information actors.

The project aims to enable a better utilisation of Earth Observation (EO) data by bringing together a wide range of stakeholders. From academic and research organisations to SME, the project seeks to connect diverse and sometimes contrasting actors, within the data value added chain.

Consortium members include 23 organisations from 16 countries within the Balkans, North Africa and Middle East regions. Together they have joined forces to establish a multi-regional coordination network.

Looking to facilitate access to various types of data, the project will set-up a new Regional Data Hub. Acting as a one-stop-shop for data and open to all, the Hub aims thus to support the development of new geo-based innovative services.

Discover the project at geocradle.eu

Novi Sad Workshop

Taking place in the picturesque background of Novi Sad, the event will gather diverse organisations along the data value-added service chain.

The workshop will be a great opportunity for both private and public stakeholders, to discuss transformational issues affecting the uptake and use of geo-information services.

The round table discussions will bring together confirmed operational users of EO services and data providers, as well as interested and potential users with the aim of promoting knowledge transfer and cross-sector fertilization of good practices.

Furthermore, the session will showcase innovation incubators and funding opportunities for start-ups looking to develop info-information services.

Read more

In studies looking at public sector investments (eg in Copernicus), socio-economic studies analyse the economic benefits which will be generated. For EO programmes, this approach is very top down looking at broad brush benefits. In a study funded by ESA, EARSC, in collaboration with the Green Land BV ,has been developing an alternative approach which is very focused and bottom-up.

The goal of the study was to gather quantitative evidence that the usage of Copernicus Sentinel data provides an effective and convenient support to various market applications. As part of it, we defined and applied a new methodology to assess the full benefits (direct and indirect) stemming from the use of EO-derived geospatial information, in a way which has not been tackled before.

We examined how the benefits of using these data either do or can affect a full value chain by starting from the primary usage and then following the related impact down various identified tiers in the value chain. The new methodology was applied to three use cases, which have been selected considering the maturity of the application as well as the feasibility for the sake of the study.

We studied three cases:

For each case, we identified a defined product which is being used operationally to support a process within an organization, identified the value chain linking the various users and investigated the cascaded effects and the benefits brought by the use of satellite imagery for each tier down to value chain.
We’ve published 2 of the 3 cases which you can find below.

http://earsc.org/file_download/270/case+report+-+winter+navigation+in+the+baltic+final.pdf
http://earsc.org/file_download/307/case+report+-+forest+management+in+sweden+final+.pdf

EARSC is participating to the next Living Planet Symposium
We will present two papers and will be exhibiting during the conference.

ESA will be hosting the next Living Planet Symposium on 9–13 May in Prague, Czech Republic.

The event brings together scientists and users to present their latest findings on Earth’s environment and climate derived from satellite data. It also provides an opportunity to introduce missions in development from ESA – such as the Sentinels, Earth Explorers and meteorological missions – as well as from national space agencies. With over 3000 participants expected to attend, it will be the world’s biggest conference on Earth observation to date.

EARSC is participating to this conference:

EARSC papers

EARSC will present two papers at LPS16, on Thursday 12 May.

EARSC will be exhibiting during the conference

Come see us at booth No.24 and learn more about EARSC activities, its members, the marketplace alliance and our brokerage service EOpages
The booth will also serve as a meeting place for the European companies.

We look forward to seeing you at our Stand!

Since January, we are pleased to welcome the latest companies as EARSC members:


  • earth-i Ltd
    Earth-i supplies 1 metre resolution (GSD) optical satellite imagery and remote sensing products. “We supply very high resolution satellite images from the new DMC3 / TripleSat Constellation, consisting of 3 identical British multispectral
    optical satellites”
  • GEO4i
    Geo4i is specialized in geospatial data management, valorization of geospatial information and imagery analysis in the fields of defence and security. The expertise of Geo4i embraces different fields like imagery intelligence, geospatial intelligence, geospatial data management, data mining and open sources data.
  • Kapitech
    Kapitech is the polish subsidiary of Capital High Tech. This independent SME, space agencies’ partner, is serving EO data users, allying scientific research and project management of complex environmental systems.
  • Noveltis S.A.S.
    NOVELTIS, a French independent private company created in 1998, performs innovative scientific engineering studies and implements customised end-user solutions in the fields of Space, the Environment and Sustainable Development
  • PlanetObserver
    PlanetObserver products, including PlanetSAT satellite imagery, PlanetDEM elevation data and PlanetAIR aerial photography, are available off-the-shelf, ready to be integrated in any software and application
  • TerraSIGNA
    The TERRASIGNA applications represent innovative solutions for: risk assessment evaluation regarding the natural phenomena (flood, drought, landslides); environmental monitoring in areas affected by human activities (deforestation, underground mining, oil and gas extraction, CO2 storage); heavy infrastructure monitoring (urban areas, bridges, water dams, critical infrastructure like nuclear power plants); environment monitoring (wet zones, marine, etc.); state of the art applications for precision agriculture

We’re about to published our second annual report.

You can read about our activities over the last few months and understand what the Association is doing! Please download a copy from our web-site and if you are interested in what we are doing, do not hesitate to contact us and even consider joining the Association

Joining EARSC is a very efficient way of knowing the status of our industry, getting answers, and being active at defending the development of our business.

EARSC represents the European providers of geo-information services creating a network between industry, decision-makers and users. We consider that the market is at a crucial stage of development as Earth observation becomes more frequently used by society and adds positive value to our daily lives. Nevertheless, there are many issues, opportunities and threats facing industrial actors and, through a small secretariat, EARSC informs and involves its members though its website and newsletters, through the provision of web-tools, as well as organizing events.

Members tell us that they appreciate the opportunity to network with other similar companies and that this helps them develop new business opportunities as well as exchanging on best practices. They also like the regular flow of information as well as the knowledge that EARSC is able to influence EU and ESA policy when it is important for the sector

Request Form

Industry stakeholders together could transform activities into meaningful action on behalf of our sector. Your membership is more important to us than anything else. Our strength is in our unity and together we can bring about positive change for the EO service community.

(8th February 2016, Brussels) A European Marketplace for EO Services will enable companies to offer new products and services building upon those coming from Copernicus and other sources. It will allow the European industry to capitalise on the public investments in Copernicus and, by linking with other data sets, can unleash a new wave of innovative geospatial products addressing many markets.

European industry and stakeholders must organise to overcome a fragmented industry sector and create an alternative to US IT giants.

The position paper sets out the roles of the different actors and next steps in order to achieve this European marketplace.

Position Paper – Creating a European Marketplace for Earth Observation Services
The press release can also be downloaded next