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5th July, 2017. The EARSC competition “European EO product of the year” rewarded a company which has developed a product which will support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at national, regional and/or local levels, and the monitoring and reporting against the global indicator framework.

Jon Carver, Air and Space Evidence and Rob Postma, Airbus and sponsor of the cocktail event

The SDGs are being launched with an emphasis on collecting data that will be extensive and specific enough to serve these needs. European Earth Observation industry can help achieve the SDGs by providing critical information on natural resources, government operations, public services, and population demographics. That’s why EARSC decided to focus its 2017 Product award on the industry contribution to SDGs.

During the whole process, 15 companies got interested in the award and 7 of them sent the required documentation. EARSC thereby c Waste from Space by Air and Space Evidence as winner of the context of the commercial product of the year which support the monitoring and reporting against SDGs in the most innovative way.

Waste from Space is a new geo-information product which offers a much-needed intelligence gathering and analysis service to governments, investigating and providing evidence of one of the most significant global environmental problems, unlawful waste dumping sites. The product, which was developed by Air and Space Evidence in 2017, is based on a semi-automated detection model utilising Earth Observation data, enabling the company to offer an effective and commercially viable geospatial intelligence tool that can detect serious waste crime.

This product serves several SDGs indicators. Waste from Space successfully drives down the size of the waste crime problem by combatting organised crime (SDG 16.4), ensure that much more waste/hazardous waste is subject to environmentally sound management in its life cycle (SDG 12.4 push more waste to be treated properly and sustainably within the circular economy (SDG 12.5), and mean much less waste is not released illegally into the environment (SDG 6.3, 11.6 , 12.4).

Air and Space Evidence was founded in the UK in 2014. It is run by highly experienced consultants with a wealth of academic, business, and military intelligence knowledge and connections in the legal, security and technical fields of Earth observation monitoring. They are known as the World’s first “Space Detective Agency”. More info at www.space-evidence.net

EARSC represents the Earth Observation geo-information services companies in Europe. Today EARSC has 96 members coming from more than 22 countries in Europe. Our members include both commercial operators of EO satellites, IT, downstream and value-adding companies. The sector plays a key role in providing value-added geo-spatial information to its customers in Europe and the world. In 2016, the revenue of the European EO services sector is estimated to be around one billion euros for approximatively 450 companies and giving work to nearly 7000 highly skilled employees. More info at www.earsc.org

Download the Press release

EARSC has recently developed its Internationalisation Strategy and one of its objectives is to support our members by opening up new market opportunities. In other words, EARSC would like to help developing the market for the commercial products and services. This includes new commercial market sectors and new export possibilities linked to national needs in countries outside Europe.

The EARSC strategy is to improve export prospects for companies hinges around partnerships. The EO services sector is one which has business applications in many domains and we seek partners which
can help expand our reach.

In the next months, we shall start to initiate specific actions including participation at trade shows and conferences. We shall organise participation to these events in order to promote the Earth Observation services industry.

Download the Strategy here

The event, organised by EARSC with the support of ESA, took place on 25 January 2017 from 10:30 to 16:30, at the Royal Library of Belgium.

The main objective of the meeting was to hold a discussion on the steps being taken to help develop the market for EO services. In the first part, ESA and EARSC presented the initiatives being taken to help position European industry to benefit from the trends. ESA exposed the planned market development activities in both ground segment and applications divisions. EARSC presented the draft results of the MAEOS study . The presentation, in which we described our concept of an eoMALL, can be downloaded here .

In the second part, invited speakers presented their views on the market evolution. Leading mobile and business solutions providers will provide their perspective on the digital economy and how geospatial information is a transformational technology for many market segments. Subsequently, several companies and organisations providing EO services had the opportunity to present what they have done already to be ready for this transformation and share lessons learned from their experiences.

The workshop “Improving EO services industry involvement in EU space programmes and initiatives” organised by EARSC with the support of the European Commission will take place on 26 April 2017 from 9:30 to 17:00 at Breydel Auditorium in DG-GROW in Brussels .

EARSC, in coordination with DG GROW and DG RTD, is organising a full day-event on April 26 to discuss concrete ways for the improved industry involvement in the exploitation of Copernicus Services and the delivery of GEO vision.

The morning session will underline the key priorities of GEO with regards to industry engagement and, through the example of GEO-CRADLE, will provide a concrete account of tools that can help EU industry develop business in the Balkans, North Africa and Middle East.

In the afternoon, a lively discussion between representatives of the European Entrusted Entities and EU companies will take place, with the aim to establish a common roadmap for the improved exploitation of Copernicus Services by EU industry.

Download the draft agenda and register here

EARSC will be presenting its view on Developing Engagement between GEO and the Private Sector at the Second GEO Data Providers workshop .

The First GEO Data Providers workshop was held as a side event at the GEO-XIII Plenary in St Petersburg, Russia, to strengthen dialogue with data providers and to improve the discoverability, accessibility and usability of GEOSS resources.

Given the high level of interest and success of the initial workshop, a more comprehensive event of two days will be hosted by the Italian National Research Council (CNR) in Florence, Italy, from 20th to 21st of April, 2017, in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).

Objectives of the workshop:

  • Grow the GEO Data Providers community and discuss key principles.
  • Embrace the GEOSS Vision: To realize a future where decisions and actions, for the benefit of humankind, are informed by coordinated, comprehensive and sustained Earth observation information and services.
  • Learnmore about GCI operations.
  • Dialogue on critical elements like metadata, data quality and GEOSS Data Management Principles.
  • Learn about GEOSS brokering agreements, how to contribute data and resources to GEOSS.
  • Learn more about how data are used by users.
  • Discuss Open Access –beyond discovery, data policy.
  • Discuss benefits and issues for GEOSS Data Providers.

Agenda

The EO sector is changing rapidly with vast new data sets becoming available, cloud computing and big-data technology being deployed and many new initiatives being launched.

Knowing what is happening in an industry sector is a fundamental need for policy makers taking decisions on new initiatives. Given these rapid changes in the EO sector and the significant investments being made by both public and private sectors, industry statistics and trends are more important today than has ever been the case.

Every 2 years, EARSC undertakes to complete a detailed analysis of the EO service sector in Europe. It is the most comprehensive survey carried out. It is a hindcast not a forecast since it is looking at companies performance and views covering the previous 12 months. Nevertheless the build-up of information leads us to be able to look at trends.

This years’ is the 3rd EARSC survey (the previous ones were 2013 and 2015). Our 3rd survey should be particularly interesting as it will reflect a consistent methodology and a relatively stable industry base which has been interviewed.

This year has proven more difficult than others to assemble the data. Companies are both busy responding to H2020 calls and other bid opportunities as well as suffering from survey fatigue. We are nearing the end of our data gathering period (end of March) and we still need responses. This year, the EC is carrying out its assessment of the early results of the Copernicus programme and it is vital for all companies that we are able to provide accurate statistics and trends.

So this is a final plea to all European companies involved in some way in the delivery of EO data or geo-information services to complete our survey questionnaire. Even if you only manage the first few sections it will be of help to us and should only take you a few minutes. If you can carry on to the end we are even more grateful!

Please complete the EARSC industry survey. If you have not already, contact the EARSC Secretariat.

EARSC has moved into its new office at 26, Rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels [Arts Loi metro station]. View on map

After 27 years of existence, EARSC has taken its own office for the very first time. We share the premises with two other companies one of which ‘Evenflow’ we work very closely and they support us in a number of our projects.

In addition, EARSC Secretariat team has enlarged. Emmanuel Pajot and Natassa Antoniou both joined EARSC in March! Emmanuel has 13 years’ experience in Remote Sensing studies applied to the Oil & Gas industry. He will act as Geoff’s deputy and will be the lead person in EARSC for the MAEOS and eoMALL implementation. Natassa has 6 years working experience in space policy and earth observation both in the public and private sector. She will act as Project Officer for market development.


From left to right: Natassa Antoniou, Emmanuel Pajot, Monica Miguel Lago, Ariane Dubost, Geoff Sawyer

We look forward to welcoming members to the new EARSC Office (on the corner above Arts-Loi metro station) and to further developments in the evolution of the Association in the next few months!

EARSC together with 3 member companies – Airbus D&S, GMV and e-GEOS participated in the S-NET 4th Sectorial Meeting “EO ✕ Data Platform” in Tokyo on 15 February 2017. The event showed growing interest in Japan for consolidating EO and IT. The following day, Japan Space Systems (JSS) organised the first EARSC-JSS Joint EO & IT Seminar to give an opportunity for the two industries to come together and exchange ideas from fresh perspectives.

S-NET 4th Sectorial Meeting “EO ✕ Data Platform” – 15 February 2017

The National Space Policy Secretariat of the Cabinet Office of Japan invited Geoff Sawyer, the Secretary-General of the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC), and several EARSC member companies to Tokyo to present at the Space New Economy Creation Network (S-NET) 4th Sectorial Meeting “EO ✕ Data Platform”.

This marks the first step of the cooperation between Japan Space Systems (JSS) and EARSC, which signed a memorandum of understanding on Nov 23, 2016, with the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation to act as an intermediary and offer support. The aim of the MoU is to cooperate in the utilisation of Earth -observation (EO) technology between Europe and Japan.

S-NET is a networking initiative coordinated by the National Space Policy Secretariat of the Japanese Cabinet Office, and its objective is to bring space and non-space companies together to promote and facilitate cross-disciplinary collaborations. In Dec 2016, S-NET commenced a series of sectorial meetings focussed on EO data utiliszation with each meeting covering a different field of EO. The latest seminar on Feb 15 was the fourth edition, and the theme was on the data platform for EO data, and collaboration with IT technologies. The meeting gathered more than 100 people from both industry and public sector.

The meeting started with the opening remarks from the centre’s Deputy Manager, Fabrizio Mura. Mr. Sawyer then presented the current status of the EU’s space policy including Copernicus Earth-observation program, and an overview of EARSC’s data platform project, EO Marketplace. This was then followed by presentations from EARSC member companies; Hugues Pavie from Airbus Defence & Space, Celestino Gomez from GMV and Massimo Comparini from e-GEOS, where each they presented their company’s EO services, and their thoughts on engaging with IT. JSS presented their Space Business Court, Japan’s first EO data and business support and networking platform, where a teaser site has been operating since Sept 2016. The English version of the platform was launched in Jan 2017 to enable space-related companies from overseas, particularly Europe, to establish presence in the Japanese market and explore possible collaboration opportunities with Japan. The seminar also had presentations from the Remote Sensing Society of Japan and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST) on the latest developments in EO with Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics.

The attendance at the meeting was a clear indication of the growing interest in Japan for consolidating EO and IT, with many non-space companies being present at the meeting. JSS and the National Space Policy Secretariat are going to work together to further accelerate this movement through the full launch of Space Business Court, which is scheduled for May 2017.

First EARSC-JSS Joint EO & IT Seminar – 16 February 2017

Since Dec 2016, JSS has been by hosting a series of information sessions on the consolidation of Earth-observation (EO) and IT technologies in order to foster inter-disciplinary dialogue and encourage greater collaboration between the two industries. The sessions have attracted keen interests from several prominent IT start-ups and venture companies in Japan, particularly those offering services and solutions using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data Analytics.

The EARSC-JSS Joint EO & IT seminar was organised to give an opportunity for the two industries to come together and exchange ideas from fresh perspectives. Furthermore, the workshop enabled EARSC and the three member companies – Airbus Defence & Space D&S, GMV and e-GEOS, to make new connections with Japan’s active IT community.

The workshop was attended by nearly 40 companies both from EO and IT services sector. Hisanobu Takayama from JSS presented Space Business Court, followed by presentations from EARSC and the its member companies. The second half of the workshop had presentations from several IT start-ups and venture companies in Japan, including XCompass, Torus and Creative Hope, as well as the market analysis of EO and IT by MM Research Institute, and furthermore on EO and IoT by NTT Data Research Laboratory.

The seminar invoked vivid discussions during and after the seminar at the networking reception. It was evident that the EO data is recognised as part of Big Data, and that the IT companies in Japan are exploring ways in which they can incorporate it into their respective services. However, the discussion also identified key issues including better access to and understanding of EO data by the IT industry, and the possible need to support the creation of data scientists with sound knowledge of EO data.

Link to EARSC presentation

In the last ELAN Network Membership Committee celebrated in December 2016, EARSC was accepted as member of ELAN Network.

EARSC, as an industry representative body, seeks to develop initiatives to help the sector get better access to markets outside of Europe. EARSC is willing to develop synergies to facilitate the entry of EO services SMEs in Latin American markets, thereby promoting technology transfer to new geographical markets. Due to the extensive network of partners in specific Latin American countries, ELAN has the potential to help EARSC find the right interlocuters and will help to capture the specific needs of the end-users in the countries where SMEs want to expand.

What type of network is ELAN Network?

A Triple Helix network composed of proactive and participative intermediary organisations that create multiplier alliances between agents of the ecosystem, in order to strengthen their ties and abilities to support SMEs in the development of TBBOs between EU and LAC.

  • Business Support Organisations: chambers of commerce, clusters, incubators & other entrepreneur support organisations, etc. that work with SMEs in various different domains: innovation, internationalisation, competitiveness, entrepreneurship…
  • Knowledge and Technology based Organisations: universities, technology and innovation centres, etc.  with an ability and interest in identifying the best ideas, in order to transform them into business.
  • Public Sector Actors: internationalisation and/or innovation promotion agencies, regional development agencies, etc. drivers of the innovation ecosystem in their territories and owners of programmes and policies that support the generation of business opportunities.

Watch this video to have a better overview of the ELAN Network activities:

What are the events planned for 2017?

The ELAN Network will organise 7 events this year, one in each country: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru.These events will focus on generating technology based business opportunities (TBBO) between EU and LAC companies (in particular SMEs) and supporting these opportunities mature and grow to become business success stories.

Some are of particular interest to our community:

  • 4-5 July, Lima, Peru: Technological solutions for an integral urban growth
  • 18-19 October, Santiago, Chile: Technologies and Business Models for the Energy Challenges of the 21st Century
  • 13-14 November, Bogota, Colombia: Event around ICT coordinated with 20th TCI Global Conference.

The ELAN Network issued an invitation to European companies interested in doing technological based business with Latin-American companies. You can send them your interest in a particular event, sector or country using this form.
More information on the ELAN Network events

Following the great success of the EARSC EO Company of the year award, we decided in 2016 to launch a new award for the EO Product of the year. This attracted strong competition with the final award winner being “Rocket in your Pocket” by Jeobrowser. The award is open again for 2017 and you are invited to submit your entry which this year will focus on products supporting the SDGs.

In 2015, countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include a broad range of sustainable development issues; ending poverty and hunger, improving health and education, making cities more sustainable, combating climate change, and protecting oceans and forests.

The SDGs are being launched with an emphasis on collecting data that will be extensive and specific enough to serve these needs. They are designed to balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and environmental. European EO industry can help achieve the SDGs by providing critical information on natural resources, government operations, public services, and population demographics.

EARSC EO product award for 2017 will recognise a product which will support the implementation of the SDGs at national, regional and/or local levels, and the monitoring and reporting against the global indicator framework

The competition will run over a 3 month period (March 2017- May 2017) during which time candidate companies may adapt an existing product, develop a new product or simply promote one they have already in their catalogue. Companies will be asked to provide a short summary of the results (report should not exceed 2 pages) which will be used as statement for the jury.

This year’s award will be announced during the EARSC annual cocktail where the winner of the EARSC “European Earth Observation company of the year” is also revealed.

This is your opportunity to follow in the steps of previous award winners and benefit from the prestige of winning an EARSC award!

Criteria: eligibility requirements & metrics

o Any commercial product which will support the monitoring and reporting against SDGs
o Report on the findings (not exceed 2 pages):

  • Explain what type of product the company offers
  • Describe the challenge: What problem this product will solve/what solution will this provide? How will this product contribute to the monitoring of a particular SDG?
  • Explanation of the circumstances surrounding the development of this product and the identification of the SDG which will support or the monitoring and reporting against the global indicator framework.
  • Expected impact to address

Timing

  • Dead-line entries: 22nd May 2017
  • Selection: the files will be judged by the jury to select the overall product winner (Period May 22nd -June 9th)
  • Announcement: EARSC cocktail 4th July 2017 in Brussels

Contact

EARSC secretariat