\u00a9 ESA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAt the national scale, the UK Space Agency recently funded a series of grants that aim to foster climate services innovation by developing UK business-viable ideas using space data to address the impacts of climate change. These services will help identify opportunities for green financing that could support sustainable business growth.<\/p>\n
The UK is also involved in a range of Earth observation missions that contribute to global capabilities. These include the European Space Agency\u2019s TRUTHS mission, which will improve confidence in climate forecasts; Biomass, which will monitor the world\u2019s forests; Microcarb, a ground-breaking French-UK satellite mission for carbon monitoring; and the various Sentinel missions of the European Copernicus programme with its associated services.<\/p>\n
Earth Observation and the role of Copernicus<\/h3>\n The Copernicus programme, a European system established in 2014 that uses satellites and other technologies to monitor the Earth, provides a wealth of data and sophisticated services that are crucial for managing our environment, understanding and tackling the effects of climate change, and safeguarding everyday lives. The programme\u2019s free and open data policy has driven an increased uptake in the use of space-generated data, benefiting not only the government and academic sectors but also UK businesses. Since its operations began, the mission has generated over 30 PB of data, with more than 14 million products made available to users to date.<\/p>\n
The upcoming launch of the Sentinel 1C satellite on December 3, 2024, is a key mission under the Copernicus programme. This satellite will provide enhanced continuity for the constellation\u2019s capabilities by delivering high-resolution radar imagery and data essential for monitoring environmental changes and supporting climate action. Sentinel 1C will focus on delivering critical information for disaster response, land and ocean monitoring, and ice observation.<\/p>\n
Earth Observation for disaster management and infrastructure<\/h3>\n In addition to climate monitoring, Earth Observation data is essential for disaster management. Satellites can provide real-time data on natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, enabling timely and effective response efforts.<\/p>\n
The UK space sector\u2019s commitment to Earth Observation extends beyond environmental monitoring. Satellite data is also used for urban planning, clean energy, and biodiversity monitoring. For instance, it can help cities plan for sustainable growth by providing insights into land use, infrastructure development, and environmental impact. Similarly, satellite data can support the transition to clean energy by identifying optimal locations for renewable energy projects and monitoring their performance.<\/p>\n\u00a9 ESA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe UK Space Agency\u2019s leadership in CEOS will focus on exploring strategies to bridge the gaps between this satellite data and its users, ensuring that this valuable information is accessible to those who need it most.<\/p>\n
Earth Observation and international collaboration<\/h3>\n The UK\u2019s leadership in CEOS also highlights the importance of international collaboration in the space sector. By working with other space and meteorological agencies, the UK Space Agency aims to promote the goals and objectives of CEOS on the global stage. This includes participating in key international events, such as the recent COP-29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, ESA\u2019s Living Planet Symposium in Vienna in June, and the UK hosting the CEOS Plenary in Bath in November 2025.<\/p>\n
These efforts will ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of global Earth Observation initiatives, driving innovation and fostering collaboration across the international space community.<\/p>\n
The UK\u2019s role as CEOS Chair represents a unique opportunity to lead global efforts in using satellite data to address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity. From climate action and disaster management to urban planning and clean energy, Earth Observation data has the potential to transform the way we understand and interact with our planet. The UK Space Agency\u2019s leadership in CEOS will be instrumental in unlocking this potential, ensuring that satellite data is effectively used to benefit society and drive sustainable development.<\/p>\n
Please note, this article will also appear in the 20th edition of our\u00a0quarterly publication<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The UK Space Agency outlines its role as Chair of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites in using satellite data to tackle challenges.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":53694,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[771],"tags":[529,789,24130,24616],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
How Earth Observation satellite data is used to benefit society<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n