Satellites as Storytellers

Arguments

Enormous set of data from satellite observations are currently available

Supporting facts:

• Europe contributes a lot to the Copernicus program

Topics: Satellite Data, Earth Observation, Data Collection

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Wonders about the future projections of Earth observations and the Commercialization?

Supporting facts:

• Commercialization has been observed in telecoms and navigation

Topics: Earth Observation, Commercialization of Space, Space Investment

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Adoption of a zero-debris charter to tackle the issue of space debris

Supporting facts:

• Multiple space agencies and operators are signing up for the charter

• The charter is a recent initiative to deal with growing problem of debris in space

• Fear of major collision, a scenario known as the Kessler effect, is a shared concern in space sector

Topics: Space Debris, Zero-Debris Charter, Space Safety, Kessler Effect

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Report

The analysis focuses on several key topics related to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. One of the major areas discussed is the Copernicus program, which receives significant contributions from Europe. This program has played a crucial role in providing access to an enormous amount of data from satellite observations.

The availability of this data has opened up new opportunities for research and innovation in various industries. Another topic examined is the commercialisation of the telecoms and navigation sectors and its implications for Earth observations. It has been observed that the commercialisation of these sectors has shown great potential in harnessing Earth observation data.

This development raises questions about the future projections of Earth observations and the overall commercialisation of space. The analysis also highlights the positive stance towards the commercialisation of communication and navigation. Stakeholders believe that this trend will create new opportunities, particularly in sectors such as telecoms and navigation.

These areas have already demonstrated significant commercial potential, further reinforcing the positive sentiment. One pressing concern discussed in the analysis is the issue of space debris. It is highlighted that multiple space agencies and operators have signed up for a zero-debris charter, indicating a shared commitment to tackle this growing problem.

The charter is a recent initiative aimed at tackling the issue of debris in space, and it underscores the mounting fear of a major collision, known as the Kessler effect. This shared concern emphasizes the urgent need for all stakeholders to join forces in addressing this pressing issue.

Furthermore, the analysis provides additional insights into the issue of space debris. It is noted that there are currently around 30,000 debris objects above the size of a tennis ball, with millions of smaller debris pieces. The potential consequences of a major collision are also highlighted, as it could render orbits unusable.

The analysis emphasises the need for immediate action to address this problem in order to protect and preserve the viability of space operations. In summary, the analysis delves into important topics related to SDG 9, exploring the significant contributions of the Copernicus programme, the potential of commercialisation in the telecoms and navigation sectors, and the pressing issue of space debris.

Stakeholders express a positive sentiment towards the commercialisation of communication and navigation while recognising the urgency in tackling the problem of space debris. The analysis underscores the need for collaboration among all stakeholders to address this growing concern and ensure the sustainability of space operations.

Arguments

Satellites provide valuable information on Earth’s systems.

Supporting facts:

• More than 1,100 satellites are in Earth’s orbit, providing real-time data on everything from precipitation to temperature.

• This data can be accessed on a phone.

• Satellites measure the vital signs of Earth like CO2 emissions, temperature etc.

Topics: Satellites, Earth Observation, Data Analysis

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Climate change is a major issue impacting our planet.

Supporting facts:

• 2023 was recorded as the hottest year ever.

• The Earth is heating very quickly, increasing the temperature by 1-2 degrees Celsius above the 30-year mean.

• The CO2 emissions – the largest contributors to greenhouse gases are increasing and are now at 420 parts per million.

Topics: Climate Change, Global Warming, Greenhouse Gases

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Rising sea levels are a grave concern.

Supporting facts:

• 99% of the world’s fresh water is trapped in the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica.

• Oceans are absorbing the majority of heat and carbon, and when combined with melting ice, this leads to sea level rise.

• Sea levels have increased at three meters in places like Honolulu, leading to serious economic consequences.

Topics: Sea Level Rise, Melting Ice Caps, Climate Change

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Immersive technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) can increase people’s understanding of climate data.

Supporting facts:

• VR can allow people to visualize climate data in a more intuitive and interactive way.

• They’ve developed an experience called the ‘Earth Mission Control’ that allows users to look at various climate-related datasets on a VR globe.

• This tool can be used for urban planning, risk assessment, and other climate-related decisions.

Topics: Virtual Reality, Data Visualization, Climate Education

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Effective action is needed to combat climate change.

Supporting facts:

• Fires and floods, exacerbated by climate change, cause significant damage and pose risks to communities.

• Climate data can give people agency to make informed decisions about their communities and lives.

• The future holds potential for recovery if action is taken – supports this by showcasing the recovery of Yellowstone National Park after the fire.

Topics: Climate Action, Renewable Energy, Policy Decisions

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The tool is designed for virtual reality, augmented reality to immerse people in the data

Supporting facts:

• The tool is being used in MIT Media Lab for visualization

• It’s a cheaper alternative to Earth mission controls

Topics: Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Data Visualization

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Opportunities lie in the development and distribution of vast, trusted and high-precision datasets

Supporting facts:

• Comprehensive data sets used to take years to compile but now it’s daily.

• There is a need for the data to be trusted and that AI/ML can help curate it.

• The precision of the data allows for local level assessment, sometimes down to a tree level.

Topics: Space exploration, Earth observation, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Open Data

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We need the standards and policy for space debris and make sure we can de-orbit safely

Supporting facts:

• Debris-based situational awareness is a very high-priority area

• Responsibilities for people to de-orbit safely, cleanly needed

Topics: Space Debris, Space Policy, Orbit Safety

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Report

The speakers in the provided information highlight the crucial role of satellites in collecting real-time data on Earth’s various systems, such as temperature and CO2 emissions. The satellites, of which there are over 1,100 in orbit, provide valuable information that can be accessed easily, even on phones.

By measuring these vital signs of the Earth, they contribute to our understanding of climate change and its impacts. Climate change is identified as a major global issue by the speakers, who note that 2023 has been recorded as the hottest year ever.

The Earth is heating rapidly, with temperatures rising 1-2 degrees Celsius above the 30-year mean. The increasing levels of CO2 emissions, the largest contributors to greenhouse gases, are now at 420 parts per million. These alarming facts highlight the urgent need for action to address climate change and its potentially devastating consequences.

One of the consequences of climate change is the rising sea levels. The speakers report that 99% of the world’s fresh water is trapped in the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica. With the oceans absorbing the majority of heat and carbon, along with the melting ice, sea levels have increased by three meters in certain areas like Honolulu.

This rise in sea levels poses grave concerns and has serious economic consequences for coastal communities. To enhance understanding and awareness of climate data, the use of immersive technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) is proposed. Virtual Reality can provide a more intuitive and interactive way for people to visualize climate-related datasets.

The example of the ‘Earth Mission Control’ experience developed by some researchers is given, which allows users to examine various climate-related datasets on a VR globe. This tool can prove invaluable for urban planning, risk assessment, and making climate-related decisions.

Taking effective action is crucial to combat climate change and its impacts, which include more frequent and severe fires and floods. Climate data can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their communities and lives. The potential for recovery is highlighted, with the example of Yellowstone National Park’s recovery after a fire.

This supports the argument that active measures can lead to positive outcomes. The development and distribution of vast, trusted, and high-precision datasets present opportunities to address the challenges posed by climate change. Comprehensively curated data sets, which used to take several years to compile, can now be updated on a daily basis.

The precision of the data allows for assessment at a local level, down to the level of individual trees. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are identified as technologies that can assist in curating and utilizing this data effectively.

A commitment to an inclusive approach towards handling big data sets is also advocated. This includes promoting open data sets for everyone and encouraging the replication of data. The involvement of citizen science and the engagement of diverse insights are seen as valuable contributions.

The idea of making everyone an astronaut is put forth, with the aim of empowering individuals to analyze data and contribute to climate-related initiatives. The issue of space debris and orbit safety is raised as a significant concern. Given that debris-based situational awareness is considered a high-priority area, there is a need for standards and policies to ensure the safe and clean de-orbiting of space debris.

Overall, the speakers exhibit optimism about the potential of innovations in Earth observation to bring about positive change. Sharing data with academics, students, and government officials is seen as crucial in stimulating better policy-making and innovations. However, there is also a note of concern regarding the need for standards and policies to address the issue of space debris effectively.

In conclusion, the speakers emphasize the importance of satellites in providing real-time data on Earth’s systems, address the alarming issue of climate change and its impacts, propose the use of virtual reality to enhance understanding of climate data, advocate for effective action to combat climate change, stress the value of high-precision and open datasets, and raise concerns about space debris and the need for standards and policies.

The overall impression is one of cautious optimism, with a recognition of the potential for positive change through the utilization of innovative technologies and the collaboration of diverse stakeholders.

Arguments

Critical role of Earth-observation data in managing global issues

Supporting facts:

• Over half of the variables needed to track climate change can only be tracked from space.

• Earth-observation data is necessary to manage the world’s interconnected supply chains, as demonstrated by the Suez Canal blockage.

• Poyang Lake’s dry up example shows the crucial role of satellite data in monitoring water sources and informing local communities about potential shortages.

• Planet Labs and Carbon Mapper’s work demonstrates the ability to calculate above-ground carbon, which is critical for climate action.

Topics: Climate Change, Earth Observation Data, Water Management, Carbon Measurement

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Earth observation data was only available to the biggest governments a few decades ago

Supporting facts:

• Satellites used to be the size of Volkswagen buses and cost millions to launch

Topics: Earth observation, space technology, government

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The accessibility and granularity of Earth observation data has improved

Supporting facts:

• Satellites can now be launched continuously due to their decreased size and cost

• Data is now available to everyone and there is an equality in access

• The data is now in real time giving daily snapshots of every part of the earth

Topics: Earth observation, space technology, data accessibility, open data

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Big data from Earth observation requires AI to make sense of it

Supporting facts:

• The size of the data sets is now so big that human processing is impossible

• AI can do simple change detections across the earth’s surface

Topics: Earth observation, Artificial Intelligence, big data

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People are still figuring out how to use and commercialize these novel data sets

Supporting facts:

• The accessibility and newness of these data set makes them ripe for innovation

Topics: Earth observation, commercialization, data sets, innovation

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Space debris is a growing problem to monitor but does not currently pose a significant risk

Supporting facts:

• There’s still a lot of space in orbit

• Low Earth orbit satellites de-orbit, hence less debris

• Ground-based lasers can slow down debris and help it de-orbit

Topics: space debris, space pollution, investment risk

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Report

Earth-observation data plays a critical role in managing global issues, such as climate change, water management, and carbon measurement. It is a vital tool in tracking climate change, as over half of the variables needed for accurate tracking can only be observed from space.

The data collected from satellites provides crucial insights into the Earth’s changing climate patterns and helps scientists and policymakers make informed decisions to address this urgent issue. Additionally, Earth-observation data is essential for managing interconnected supply chains. The recent blockage of the Suez Canal served as a clear example of how satellite data can help monitor and manage disruptions.

By utilizing Earth-observation data, authorities can anticipate potential challenges and take proactive measures to mitigate their impact. Furthermore, the monitoring of water sources is another significant application of Earth-observation data. The example of Poyang Lake’s dry-up highlights the crucial role of satellite data in identifying water shortages and informing local communities.

Access to this information in a timely manner empowers communities to take appropriate measures and make better decisions regarding their water resources. Moreover, Earth-observation data enables the calculation of above-ground carbon, which is essential for effective climate action. Companies such as Planet Labs and Carbon Mapper have demonstrated the ability to measure above-ground carbon using satellite imagery.

This data helps policymakers and researchers understand carbon emissions, identify carbon sinks, and formulate strategies to address climate change. There is a need to commercialize Earth-observation data due to the significant decrease in the cost of launching objects into orbit.

This cost reduction has created more opportunities for companies to provide Earth-observation services. Large governments, particularly the United States, are the most substantial purchasers of Earth-observation data, making them a crucial market for companies operating in this sector. The accessibility and granularity of Earth-observation data have greatly improved in recent years.

Satellites can now be launched continuously due to their decreased size and cost. Consequently, data is now available to everyone, ensuring equal access. Moreover, the collected data is in real-time, allowing for daily snapshots of the Earth and providing up-to-date information for various applications.

However, the massive size of Earth-observation datasets poses a challenge in terms of analysis and processing. Human-driven processing of such data becomes impractical due to its enormity. To overcome this challenge, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) has become necessary.

AI algorithms can perform complex analysis tasks on the vast amounts of data collected, such as change detection across the Earth’s surface. While space debris is a growing concern, it currently does not pose a significant risk. There is still ample space in orbit, and low Earth orbit satellites naturally de-orbit over time, reducing the amount of debris.

Ground-based lasers are also being explored as a means of slowing down debris and facilitating its de-orbit. To effectively address the issue of space debris, global multi-stakeholder cooperation is crucial. It is essential to maintain the ability to observe Earth and communicate in space, as disruptions caused by space debris can have a cascading effect.

Therefore, collaborative efforts among governments, space agencies, and private entities must be undertaken to ensure the sustainable management of space debris. In conclusion, Earth-observation data plays a pivotal role in managing global issues such as climate change, water management, and carbon measurement.

The decreasing cost and increased accessibility of Earth-observation data have opened up new opportunities for commercialization. However, the magnitude of the data collected necessitates the use of AI for effective analysis. While space debris poses a challenge, global cooperation is necessary to mitigate its risks.

The continued advancement and responsible utilization of Earth-observation data are vital in addressing these global challenges and informing sustainable decision-making.