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EOMAP’s web app for Satellite-Derived Bathymetry (SDB) offers a new feature for calibration and validation.

Hydrographic surveying often involves high risks, large financial budgets and qualified personnel. Since 2022, eoapp SDB-Online has been a highly efficient solution for targeted planning of survey campaigns, mapping remote or very large areas or filling data gaps. Within hours, users can process bathymetric data in a cloud environment, benefitting them with significant time and cost savings.

Now, eoapp SDB-Online offers a new feature, the integration of Satellite Lidar Bathymetry (SLB) Data. In general, users need no on-site data to obtain valid bathymetry data with eoapp SDB-Online. This is the beauty of EOMAP’s physics-based approach. 

However, they can upload own survey data for refinement and validation purposes. Users lacking these data, can now use Satellite Lidar Data from NASA’s ATLAS sensor IceSat-2. This independent validation and calibration data will be directly integrated into AOIs purchased within the eoapp.

eoapp SDB-Online is part of EOMAP’s series of online solutions for decision support leveraging high-quality satellite data. 

Discover eoapp SDB-Online

Menut, a nanosatellite promoted by the Government of Catalonia and the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) and launched over two years ago, was designed to capture Earth images, with a special focus on the Catalan region. Now, these images are officially accessible to the public through the Menut Viewer, enabling users to explore and download them for a wide range of applications. The IEEC has also just closed a call for the second edition of its ‘Earth Observation Use Case Ideas competition for the Private Sector’ which invites companies in the Catalan sector to propose innovative ways they can implement the use of Menut data into their operations. Winners of the competition can receive up to €50,000 in funding to support their projects.

Image rendered by OpenCosmos shows Menut orbiting Earth.

What is Menut?

On 3 January 2023, the Government of Catalonia launched its second nanosatellite from the Cape Canaveral space base in Florida, USA. This satellite was named Menut, which means ‘small’ in Catalan. The mission is managed by the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) with the technical support from the Cartographic and Geological Institute of Catalonia (ICGC), and was awarded to Open Cosmos, the company responsible for its design, manufacturing, and operation.

NewSpace represents a disruption of the use and access of space, allowing start-ups, SMEs and large companies to look for new opportunities in the space sector through the new implementation of nanosatellites, allowing access to space to be cheaper and more manageable. Menut is the first Earth observation mission based on a small satellite developed within the framework of the NewSpace Strategy of Catalonia promoted by the Catalan Government. It is a nanosatellite based on a 6 CubeSat unit (6U) platform and weighing less than 10kg. It orbits the Earth at a distance of 538 km in a Sun synchronous orbit and with a speed of about 8 km/s, meaning it passes over Catalonia approximately every 5 days. Equipped with a state-of-the-art multispectral camera that operates in the visible and near infra-red spectrum range, Menut is able to acquire images from space with a spatial resolution of up to 5 meters of any location on Earth, while prioritising images from Catalonia. 

The IEEC designed and contracted this mission through a service provision framework and owns the Earth observation data over Catalonia. In turn, Open Cosmos retains the ability to commercialize the remaining satellite capacity. 

View of the northern region of Catalonia, obtained by the Menut nanosatellite. Credit: image of the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), processed by the Cartographic and Geologic Institute of Catalonia (ICGC) and financed by the Government of Catalonia as part of the NewSpace Strategy of Catalonia, under the license CC BY 4.0.

What does Menut do?

Menut’s main mission is the observation of the Earth with a special focus in the region of Catalonia, aimed at enhancing spatial planning and supporting efforts to monitor and mitigate the effects of climate change. The collected data is integrated into services that address critical challenges such as the climate emergency, energy crisis, and the management of natural resources and disasters. Menut also serves as a complementary source of data to larger missions, such as Sentinel-2, providing higher revisit times and added flexibility for regional monitoring needs.

Use cases

Menut was implemented into the first “Earth Observation Use Case Ideas Competition for the Private Sector”, an initiative coordinated by the IEEC and promoted by the Government of Catalonia. This competition aimed to enhance the competitiveness of private sector companies by incorporating satellite data technology, offering funding of up to €50,000. Two Earth-observation use cases applicable to the Catalan territory were selected and funded: the projects MARE (company isardSAT) and MOT (company SPASCAT).

On one hand, MARE aims to enhance drought monitoring capabilities in Catalonia through remote sensing-based soil moisture products at high spatial and temporal resolution. MOT, on the other hand, introduces an application designed for agricultural professionals without requiring specialized training. This tool automates field monitoring—specifically for tree and vineyard farms—by analyzing spectral data from satellites.

Recently, the second edition of the competition was launched, giving companies the opportunity to submit their proposals until 24 February 2025.

What can you do with Menut?

Examples of what can be done with the images acquired by the Menut nanosatellite. Algebra between spectral bands can be computed to estimate indices to monitor changes in water content or to quantify vegetation density, among other applications. Credit: images of the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), processed by the Cartographic and Geologic Institute of Catalonia (ICGC) and financed by the Government of Catalonia as part of the NewSpace Strategy of Catalonia, under the license CC BY 4.0.

Recently, the images from Menut were officially made publicly and freely available to everyone on the Menut Viewer. This interactive tool allows users to visualise and download the images captured by Menut for all purposes, whether business, professional, academic or personal. It was developed by the Cartographic and Geological Institute of Catalonia (ICGC), which has been working closely with the IEEC and Open Cosmos since Menut’s launch to ensure the regular provision of images with the established quality criteria.

Businesses can also benefit from these images by incorporating them into their operations and therefore enhancing their competitiveness in the sector. The use of these images are categorised into 6 different areas:

  1. Outreach: generation of content, news, and illustrations to promote the features, possibilities, and usefulness of this type of data.
  2. Training: creation of educational content to explain the main techniques and methodologies of Earth Observation and to develop teaching and training materials for analysing and processing this data.
  3. Interpretation: visual or digital analysis to determine or delimit landscape elements and identify objects or cover types.
  4. Spectral response analysis: analysis and differentiation of various cover types and the creation of spectral indices that help in understanding the territory and its condition.
  5. Biophysical variable determination: extraction of values for biophysical variables using information gathered from spectral bands. This information can later be validated with field data to establish segmentation of these variable values.
  6. Detection of temporal changes: using data sets taken at different times, changes in the territory can be analysed, both geometric (such as the shape or texture of elements studied) and radiometric.

You can access the viewer by clicking here.

Institut d'Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC)
Esteve Terradas 1, Edifici RDIT, Oficina 212
Parc Mediterrani de la Tecnologia (PMT), Campus del Baix Llobregat - UPC
08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona)

EOMAP’s web app for water quality monitoring convinced the jury and beat out 120 applications.

Global warming puts severe pressure on water bodies. This calls for efficient monitoring of water quality, for example to timely detect harmful algae blooms. Satellite sensors can provide these key parameters in a near-real time - so far for highly specialised analysts only.

With eoapp AQUA, authorities and industry can gain satellite-based information within few mouse clicks. The smart concept and user-friendly dashboards have convinced the jury of the German Innovation Prize 2025 to nominate the web app in the category “medium-sized enterprises”. On 27 March, the final winner will be announced at the award ceremony in Munich. The Prize is a renowned award involving the German business media “Wirtschaftswoche” and “Handelsblatt”. EOMAP is listed next to companies, such as SIEMENS Energy or Infineon.

Eoapp AQUA offers an unprecedented wealth of data and a comprehensive overview of many water bodies at a time. The cloud-based solution includes an intuitive data viewer, a long-term analysis tool (+35 years back) and an alert function. It supports applications, such as bathing waters surveillance, environmental impact monitoring or climate change studies. This leads to safer decision making and to significant time or cost savings.

eoapp AQUA is part of EOMAP’s series of online solutions for decision support leveraging high-quality satellite data.

Discover eoapp AQUA

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AI-generated content may be incorrect.
Image of the drought index over the Ebre river basin. © isardSAT 

The H2020 ACCWA project has designed and implemented new methodologies to monitor water use, crop yield and climate hazards from remote sensing data. 

This information will improve the reliability of decision-making in agriculture, helping quantify and prevent the impact of climate change, and reinforcing Mediterranean agro-food value chains. 

MARCH 2025

The H2020 ACCWA project (Accounting for Climate Change in Water and Agriculture management) has developed monitoring and  management tools that will help the Mediterranean agriculture adapt to the impacts of climate change.  The project team is composed of eleven EO experts from seven different countries (isardSAT, CIRAD, IRD, IRTA, LabFerrer, AGRHYMET, Observatori de l’Ebre, UCAM, UCAR, CEPAVE (Conicet-UNLP), FOOD QUALITY). 

The Mediterranean agriculture, under the pressure of new climate conditions 

The Mediterranean is one of the regions most sensitive to climate change, facing rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. These changes will increase crop water needs while reducing soil moisture, putting rain-fed agriculture at high risk of lower yields and poorer quality.

The region is already seeing more erratic rainfall, leading to longer droughts and more intense storms. This makes water management even more challenging in an area already struggling with scarcity. To adapt, agriculture must evolve by changing crop strategies and adopting advanced water management practices and technologies.

Soil moisture and drought index over the Ebro basin  

One of the main outputs of the project is the online drought monitoring tool, which provides the Anomaly of Surface Soil Moisture (also known as a drought index) for the Ebre basin (Spain). As the project research demonstrates, analysing the moisture on soil surface is a critical indicator of changes in vegetation and productivity. 

GO TO THE VIEWER 


ACCWA has advanced the research in soil moisture mapping, yield prediction, and irrigation management tools, combined and validated with in situ data. © isardSAT 

This soil moisture product provides weekly data of the soil moisture state over the Ebre river basin at a 1 km resolution, and it is scalable anywhere in the globe. “Research during the project has demonstrated how the values of soil moisture three months before the harvest are indicative of the final yield”, explains Maria JosĂ© Escorihuela, Principal Investigator of the project. 

The ACCWA team used different sources of Earth Observation data mostly from European Space Agency Copernicus Program, such as Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3, or Earth Explorer missions like SMOS. NASA missions have also been explored, such as SMAP, MODIS or LandSat. 

Innovative agriculture management tools

The ACCWA team has developed remote sensing-based tools that improve the reliability of decision-making regarding water use, yield, and hazard prediction in agriculture. 

Specifically: 

  • Tools to improve water use allow to estimate irrigation amounts used, irrigations systems in use, and early crop classification.
  • Tools to monitor drought allow to accurately monitor meteorological, agronomic and hydrological drought. 
  • Tools to forecast crop yields and predict locust presence. 
A diagram of a diagram of agriculture management tools

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New validated algorithms 

Innovative algorithms to retrieve soil moisture, evapotranspiration and characterise vegetation status from EO data have also been developed, implemented and validated. This algorithms have been validated through several intensive field campaigns, carried out by the ACCWA team throughout the project, which have left an important network of in situ stations for future research. 

During five years, ACCWA has built and consolidated a network for inter-sectorial knowledge sharing and long-term collaboration in the field of remote sensing applications for water resources and agriculture management.
Research results from the ACCWA community members have been presented in many  international conferences. © isardSAT 

This project received funding from the European Union's H2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 823965

Planetek Italia is proud to announce the successful deployment of AIX-1p “Caution: Edge Ahead”, the first mission of the AIX satellite series, which will set the path for the ambitious programme of bringing a new concept of cognitive cloud computing in space.

AIX-1p lifted off on 14 January 2025, at 8:09 p.m. (GMT+1) aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from the Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and was successfully deployed almost an hour after launch into a 520km Sun-Synchronous Orbit.

AIX-1p is the first of a series of three satellites (AIX-1p, AIX-1, AIX-1 +) that are planned for launch in 2025 and developed by Planetek Italia in cooperation with its partners D-Orbit and AIKO.

"The launch of AIX-1p, aptly named 'Caution: Edge Ahead,' represents the most advanced interpretation of Digital Transformation in Earth Observation, setting a new standard for innovation and accessibility in space technology." , Giovanni Sylos Labini, CEO, Planetek Italia declared "Caution: Edge Ahead' is more than a mission; it is the cornerstone of our vision for a Digital EO constellation. This launch lays the foundation for a network of smart satellites redefining real-time EO data processing and insight delivery from space.

AI-eXpress is a project co-funded by the European Space Agency's InCubed, an Earth Observation Programme managed by ESA Ί-lab, that uses advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain in Space to enhance satellite capabilities in terms of reactivity, responsiveness, and low-latency information delivery. AIX provides a hybrid edge/cloud ecosystem on a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) platform equipped with Earth Observation (EO) payloads, deployable cubesats, and a software framework that autonomously manages sensors and onboard resources. 

"AIX is more than just a satellite; it's a complete, integrated ecosystem, " says Giuseppe Borghi, Head of the ESA Ω-lab division. “From advanced imaging to onboard AI processing and seamless data delivery, ESA has supported the development of a truly end-to-end system that delivers insights faster and more efficiently than any traditional Earth Observation approach. This marks a fundamental change in how we access and utilise space-based information".

AIX: a new era of opportunities in Earth Observation

The Space mission scenario is rapidly evolving and raising the need for new operational concepts that must be able to implement novel technologies and approaches to mission design that comply with the shortening of the development cycles. AIX answers these needs thanks to the configurable set of space components it makes available as-a-service, such as the advanced imaging of the dual-head camera, the onboard Artificial Intelligence of the high-performance computing platform, and the software services secured by Blockchain technologies. 

Thanks to its innovative satellite-as-a-service design, the platform provides on-demand, in-orbit data processing resources to turn raw data into actionable knowledge, thus enabling customised customer-driven capabilities, such as need-focused data gathering, while reducing costs and barriers to access space.  In this regard, users can ask to exploit the desired custom set of components, configuring their own acquisition/processing workflow and their own system’s configuration. AIX also supports AI-experienced users in testing their algorithms and techniques in a real Earth Observation case, with resources and payloads available on-demand and developers implementing and re-using onboard software.

The first mission, named Caution: Edge Ahead (AIX-1p), is designed to test and validate the core building blocks of fundamental software services (data processing and execution) directly in space. These functionalities form the backbone of the "satellite-as-a-service" model. AIX-1p is the first step toward creating a space "App Store," offering a more straightforward and innovative way to access space resources.

Following the AIX-1p launch, two more missions are planned: AIX-1 in June 2025 and AIX-1+ in October 2025. Each mission will progressively contribute to deploying and validating AIX components and functionalities.

The AIX team 

AIX is implemented by Planetek Italia, in a partnership with D-Orbit and AIKO, and it will complement and add value to the companies’ existing services/products.

AIX-based services will be tested and deployed using D-Orbit's ION platform and space cloud infrastructure, AIKO's orbital_OLIVER autonomy framework and AI applications, and Planetek’s SPACEDGEℱ Earth Observation services for FutureEO.

--

Links

  • https://incubed.esa.int/portfolio/aix 
  • https://www.planetek.it/eng/aiexpress  
  • https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/EarthObservation/AIX_FactSheet_250110.pdf

About Planetek Italia

Planetek Italia is a Benefit Company specialising in Geoinformatics, Space solutions, and Earth Observation. Since 1994, we simplify the complexity of space. From upstream to downstream, we design and develop solutions that exploit the value of geospatial data to help users understand the world better and act sustainably. https://www.planetek.it/ 

Media Contact

Antonio Buonavoglia, +39 0809644200 buonavoglia@planetek.it 

For the past 25 years, Farmstar has been helping French farmers optimise their crop management and resources efficiency through satellite-based precision agriculture. Co-developed by Airbus and Arvalis Institut du VĂ©gĂ©tal, a leading agricultural technical institute specialising in cereals, Farmstar combines satellite imagery with strong agronomic expertise to provide customised recommendations throughout the crop cycle – from seeding to harvest – for crops such as wheat and barley.

With Farmstar, farmers can optimise their yields, improve their harvest quality, fine tune fertiliser use and reduce the environmental impact by applying nutrients only when and where plants need them most. Today, more than 16,000 farmers rely on Farmstar’s agronomic advice, delivered by a network of nearly 50 cooperatives and distributors who trust us each year.

A new model for nitrogen fertilization

This year, as Farmstar celebrates its 25th anniversary, it is taking a major leap forward in nitrogen. Staying true to its spirit of continuous innovation, Farmstar is now introducing a new agronomic model developed by Arvalis, offering farmers even greater precision and control over nitrogen fertilization. 

This breakthrough helps maximize fertilizer efficiency whilst addressing environmental and economic challenges. Designed for farmers looking for better nitrogen use efficiency, the new model provides precise, real-time fertilization recommendations that are finely tuned to crop needs.

More flexibility for farmers

Farmstar is now more adaptable than ever! The service allows farmers to personalise their preferred fertilisation strategies to match their specific needs, operational constraints and weather conditions.  

Farmers can customise fertilisation schedules by selecting their preferred application and delivery periods for the upcoming season. At each application, they receive:

  • A tailored nitrogen recommendation per plot, valid for up to 10 days 
  • Real-time monitoring of soil nitrogen levels and crop needs
  • On-demand modulation files to distribute nitrogen precisely where it’s needed within the plot 

A week later, recommendations are updated based on the latest conditions, ensuring farmers can adjust applications to optimise results. This flexible approach allows them to adapt fertilisation to specific constraints, making real-time decisions based on weather patterns, soil conditions and operational planning. 

Expanding capabilities for the future of farming

As a market leader in agricultural intelligence, Farmstar is constantly evolving to help farmers meet the challenges of tomorrow. By leveraging Airbus’ expertise in satellite technology and its deep understanding of agricultural needs, Farmstar is expanding into new applications and crop types. 

With soil health and carbon sequestration becoming key priorities, Farmstar now introduces a new Intermediate Crops service, providing farmers with accurate biomass assessment using satellite technology. 

Farmers benefit from: 

  • Automated fresh and dry biomass measurements, eliminating the needs to manually weigh cover crops
  • Precise estimate of nitrogen restitution, allowing reduced fertilizer inputs for the next crop
  • Carbon sequestration insights, supporting more sustainable soil management

Leguminous cover crops such as alfalfa, hairy vetch and crimson clover can restore up to 50 kg of nitrogen per hectare, offering a natural, cost-effective alternative to nitrogen fertilizers.

Finally, Farmstar is also expanding to new crops, including potatoes, where nitrogen fertilization is essential for ensuring optimal growth and yield.

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An important milestone has just been reached! The FARMEX project has successfully passed its acceptance review and has been approved by the European Space Agency (ESA). The second pilot year, 2024-2025, is now officially underway.

But wait, do you know what “FARMEX powered by Farmstar“, is all about? 

FARMEX is a project led by TerraNIS, funded by the European Space Agency, in partnership with Airbus Defence & Space and the company Artal. This ambitious initiative aims to adapt Farmstar – a flagship Airbus service deployed in France for 25 years to optimize nitrogen fertilization – to the contexts and agricultural practices of several European countries. The goal is exclusive export commercialization by TerraNIS at the end of the project.

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How does Airbus make a difference in FARMEX?

Farmstar, the result of a collaboration between Airbus, Arvalis Institut du vĂ©gĂ©tal, and Terres Inovia, leverages Airbus’s space expertise and cutting-edge satellites, as well as sophisticated algorithms designed to meet the ever-growing technological demands of the agricultural sector.

This year, the service will reach the milestone of 12 million hectares covered across France. It is supported by a multidisciplinary team, combining agronomic engineers, experts, and PhDs specializing in remote sensing applied to the biosphere and ecology, backed by a responsive and highly skilled customer support team.

With FARMEX, TerraNIS and Airbus extend a collaboration spanning over 10 years, combining their expertise in space imaging and agronomy. Airbus also contributes by leveraging algorithmic frameworks and technological solutions that ensure the service’s reliability and accuracy, even in diverse soil and climatic contexts

An Ambitious European Rollout

Following a first pilot year in Romania and Poland focusing on rapeseed cultivation, a new pilot campaign for rapeseed and cereals is now underway. This phase expands to Greece, involving numerous stakeholders: seed companies, large agricultural operations, technical institutes, and geo-information service providers. These tests will gather extensive technical and operational feedback, further solidifying FARMEX as a robust service tailored to different European environments.

The objective of the FARMEX 1st FarmField Campaign 2023/2024 was to test the Farmex tool on rapeseed and gather user feedback to incorporate improvements into the second version of the service. 

The second pilot year of the Farmex project is currently underway, This year will able to confirm the test with the 1st year on rapeseed and to test the service on wheat and barley this time, as well as in new countries

Stay tuned for the follow-up of the project and the upcoming commercialization in 2026! 

12 avenue de l’Europe, 31520 Ramonville |  www.terranis.fr  |  LinkedIn

Have you ever struggled with dataset compatibility problems? Have you ever wished all global satellite datasets in the world would be in the same standardized format? We are one step closer to making this dream come true.

Spatio Temporal Asset Catalogue (STAC) is a standardized way to access raster datasets relevant for a specific spatial location and timeframe. STAC is optimized for cloud processing of massive datasets. Many earth observation data analysis tools are compatible with STAC, making use of its rich metadata model to handle the differences of each data source. STAC optimizes data access by avoiding download of predefined units, instead enabling direct access to a subset of the data based on spatial, temporal and metadata filters. Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the data access and cloud processing platform of the Copernicus Programme has recently released a new STAC Catalog for Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data. The main improvement is the removal of satellite-specific STAC extensions in favour of a more generic metadata model, also compatible with new Sentinel satellites and contributing missions. Additionally, all spectral channels including low-resolution ones are now supported. If your processing software supports the STAC model, it will now be able to directly work with Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data in a streamlined way, saving you the trouble of downloading, storing and preparing data. openEO is an example for such a tool: it is compatible with all STAC-compliant datasets and endpoints, and can therefore be used for integrating information from many different sources into one common workflow.

Detailed documentation is available here while a Jupyter notebook tutorial can be accessed in this repository  and on the CDSE Jupyter Lab.

Urban mobility is evolving, but most navigation systems have yet to adapt. Many still focus solely on speed and efficiency, overlooking environmental factors that influence comfort, health, and sustainability. In rapidly growing cities, heat islands make walking and cycling uncomfortable, air pollution threatens public health, and car-dependent infrastructure continues to dominate. As a result, pedestrians and cyclists are often forced onto routes that are not only inefficient but also physically challenging. 

To address these issues, Latitudo 40 is developing Green Navigator, a platform that redefines urban mobility by integrating geospatial intelligence, AI-driven analytics, and real-time environmental data. Unlike conventional navigation tools that prioritize the fastest route, Green Navigator accounts for thermal comfort, air quality, and green infrastructure, allowing users to move through cities in a way that improves both their travel experience and environmental impact. 

The platform processes high-resolution satellite imagery, IoT sensor data, and urban mobility patterns to generate real-time insights on heat islands, pollution hotspots, shaded corridors, and green spaces. Instead of simply suggesting the fastest route, Green Navigator allows pedestrians and cyclists to select paths that minimize exposure to extreme heat and air pollution. In cities facing rising temperatures and worsening environmental conditions, this can be the difference between choosing active mobility or relying on a car.

A key feature of Green Navigator is its thermal comfort mapping, which analyzes urban heat distribution to guide users toward cooler and more shaded routes. Cities with large areas of asphalt and concrete tend to retain excessive heat, making outdoor movement unpleasant and, in some cases, hazardous. By identifying and prioritizing tree-lined streets, green corridors, and naturally ventilated paths, the platform promotes a safer and more comfortable urban mobility experience

Thermal comfort route mapping of the city of Bologna 

Green Navigator goes beyond simply suggesting the most optimal route based on temperature, air quality, and other environmental factors. It provides a dynamic view of how these conditions shift along the way, allowing users to anticipate changes in their surroundings as they move through the city. With real-time insights, travelers can continuously assess their route and adapt as needed. By presenting this data in a clear and intuitive format, Green Navigator ensures that every journey is informed, helping users make the best mobility choices at any moment. 

Beyond temperature, air quality plays a crucial role in route optimization. Pollution exposure is a daily concern in many cities, with high levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter contributing to serious health conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular disease. By integrating real-time pollution data, Green Navigator enables users to make informed choices, avoiding areas with poor air quality and prioritizing cleaner routes. This feature is particularly useful for vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions, who need to minimize exposure to pollutants. 

Green Navigator is not only designed for individuals but also serves as a decision-support tool for urban planners and policymakers. The platform aggregates mobility, environmental, and infrastructure data into interactive dashboards, allowing decision-makers to visualize trends, identify problem areas, and implement targeted improvements. Planners can pinpoint areas where heat mitigation strategies are most needed, identify gaps in green infrastructure, and prioritize pedestrian-friendly interventions based on real-world data. Instead of relying on outdated, static reports, cities can use dynamic, AI-driven analytics to shape sustainable mobility policies in real time. 

Integration with existing smart city infrastructure is a key advantage of Green Navigator. Through APIs and digital interfaces, the platform connects with public transit systems, bike-sharing networks, and urban planning tools, ensuring that environmental intelligence is not just available but actively applied to enhance mobility strategies. This makes Green Navigator a scalable and adaptable solution for cities aiming to reduce emissions, promote active mobility, and create more climate-resilient communities. 

The predictive capabilities of Green Navigator go beyond real-time route optimization. By leveraging historical trends and AI-driven forecasting, the platform helps cities anticipate future environmental and mobility challenges. As climate change accelerates, urban heat islands will become more intense, and air quality fluctuations will become more unpredictable. Green Navigator’s ability to model these factors allows city officials to proactively implement greening initiatives, adapt infrastructure to climate risks, and develop long-term strategies for sustainable urban growth. 

Latitudo 40 is driving this transformation by applying geospatial intelligence to real-world mobility challenges. By analyzing satellite-derived environmental data and transforming it into actionable insights, Green Navigator represents a fundamental shift in how mobility is understood and managed. Instead of treating navigation as a purely logistical task, the platform integrates environmental awareness, public health considerations, and urban livability into every route recommendation. 

Green Navigator represents a shift in urban mobility, integrating sustainability, comfort, and data-driven decision-making into everyday travel. More than just a navigation tool, it provides insights that improve mobility choices while supporting environmental and urban planning efforts. By making environmental data accessible and practical, it helps individuals and cities make informed decisions that contribute to a more efficient and sustainable urban landscape.

www.latitudo40.com

Via Emanuele Gianturco 31/C, 80142, Naples, Italy

Floods remain among the most destructive natural disasters, causing significant damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and local economies. Climate change  has increased the frequency of extreme weather events, leading to more intense rainfall, rising river levels, and widespread flooding. These events not only pose immediate threats to human life but also have long-term consequences, including soil degradation, crop loss, and reduced agricultural productivity.

Understanding the impact of floods on different regions is crucial for disaster management and mitigation strategies. Advanced technologies, including satellite imagery and geospatial analytics, provide valuable insights into the extent of flood damage and its effects on the environment. This study utilizes GeoAP , an automated geospatial analytics platform, to assess the impact of a major flood event in Limburg province, Netherlands, focusing on damage to infrastructure and agricultural lands.

The flood resulted from prolonged heavy rainfall, causing the Meuse River to overflow its banks. Initial weather forecasts indicated a potential risk of severe rainfall, but the actual threat level was underestimated.

As water levels rose, the region experienced widespread inundation, leading to power outages, disruptions in transportation, and failures of essential services. Within the first few days, thousands of homes were submerged, food shortages were reported, and evacuation efforts were complicated by the rapid spread of floodwaters. More than 2,000 homes were rendered uninhabitable, and the agricultural sector suffered extensive losses.

The flood’s impact extended beyond the Netherlands, with Germany and Belgium experiencing even more severe devastation.

Flooded Area Identification with GeoAP

One of the key challenges in disaster management is the rapid identification of flooded areas. GeoAP utilizes Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite data to automate flood detection, significantly reducing analysis time and improving response efficiency.

GeoAP’s capabilities include:

  • High-precision delineation of flood boundaries.
  • Comparison of pre- and post-flood satellite imagery to assess land use changes.
  • Automated flood mapping, aiding in recovery planning and resource allocation.

By leveraging Sentinel-1 SAR data, GeoAP can detect flooded areas even under cloud cover, while machine learning algorithms enable rapid analysis of large datasets without manual intervention.

The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) has published a short report examining the areas suffering from heavy rains. The river Maas has received an enormous amount of water, and the heavy rain caused river levels to rise downstream. CEMS also made available geospatial information regarding this event. We can observe in blue in Figure 1 the flooded areas. Other shapes in the picture are occupied lands by local town infrastructures and buildings.

Figure 1. Visualization of flooded areas in the investigated region.

Impact on Agriculture

The flood had a significant impact on agricultural production across the region. GeoAP facilitated a detailed assessment of flood damage to farmland, identifying key risks such as:

  • Soil erosion and degradation, leading to reduced land fertility.
  • Submersion of greenhouses, resulting in total crop loss.
  • Vegetation stress and reduced yields, detected through NDVI-based analysis.

The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) allowed for precise assessment of crop health deterioration, helping stakeholders identify the most affected areas and prioritize recovery efforts.


Figure 2. True-color satellite imagery of the region before and after the flood.

Methodology

This study applied GeoAP to analyze flood impacts using an automated geospatial analytics approach. The key steps in the analysis included:

  1. Flooded Area Detection – Identification of water-covered zones using Sentinel-1 SAR data.
  2. Agricultural Impact Assessment – Analysis of crop health and soil conditions based on Sentinel-2 optical imagery.
  3. Field Boundary Changes – Detection of land parcel shifts due to soil displacement using a neural network-powered model.
  4. Vegetation Stress Analysis – NDVI and other spectral indices were used to quantify plant health deterioration.

GeoAP’s automation enabled a rapid and comprehensive assessment, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual image analysis.

Flooded Area Detection

GeoAP successfully identified flood boundaries and highlighted areas where water remained for several weeks after the event.

Field Boundary Changes

Our automated field detection model revealed critical transformations in land use patterns:

  • Some land parcels disappeared or merged due to soil displacement.
  • The flood altered agricultural zoning, requiring reclassification of affected farmlands.

Vegetation Stress Analysis

NDVI analysis identified two major effects on flooded croplands:

  • Some areas showed resilience, benefiting from temporary water availability.
  • Others suffered severe crop damage, leading to significant yield reductions.





Figure 3. Agricultural fields affected by flooding and erosion.

Conclusion

This study highlights the effectiveness of GeoAP as a tool for automated flood assessment and agricultural impact analysis. By leveraging AI-powered geospatial analytics and satellite remote sensing, the platform provides critical insights for disaster response and mitigation.

Key Findings:

  • Automated flood detection accelerates damage assessment, improving response efficiency.
  • AI-driven geospatial analytics enhance the accuracy of agricultural loss evaluation.
  • Persistent water bodies require long-term environmental monitoring to prevent secondary disasters.
  • NDVI-based analysis provides valuable insights for post-flood agricultural recovery planning.

As climate change continues to drive an increase in extreme weather events, automated geospatial analytics will play an increasingly vital role in disaster response and agricultural resilience. GeoAP offers a scalable and efficient solution for rapid flood assessment, helping governments, businesses, and agricultural stakeholders make informed decisions.