“We have set a target to develop advanced technological solutions for peace and prosperity in the global space industry. The ultimate aim is for Azerbaijan to emerge as a global hub renowned for providing fast, reliable, and precise turnkey solutions that cater to diverse industry needs, says Samaddin Asadov, CEO, AzerCosmos in an exclusive interview.
How can geospatial and New Space together make world economies and societies more resilient?
The world is currently grappling with significant challenges, particularly those associated with climate change. Geospatial data holds considerable potential in mitigating these issues.
However, the lack of comprehensive data necessitates collaborative efforts for effective solutions. Interestingly, major technology companies now possess superior data compared to governments, prompting national mapping agencies to adapt.
This shift is compelling these agencies to embrace innovation through public-private partnerships (PPPs), signifying a transformative period for the geospatial sector.
The affordability of geospatial technologies and their integration within the framework of New Space initiatives is driving innovation and accessibility in Earth observation and satellite-based services.
New Space technologies offer the opportunity to conduct comprehensive monitoring and establish early warning systems, thanks to the increasing frequency of Earth observation satellites capturing imagery
The role of satellite data in monitoring climate change indicators is invaluable, as it facilitates the detection of changes in water surfaces, wildfires, droughts, soil salinization, and more.
By leveraging satellite technology, Azercosmos plays a crucial role in providing timely and accurate information to support efforts to understand and address climate change challenges in Azerbaijan.
The correlation between New space technologies and geospatial becomes more sustainable with the availability of increased data, simplifying adaptation processes and facilitating easier monitoring.
For instance, understanding where deforestation occurs, how glaciers form, and the causes of wildfires is made possible through geospatial technologies and advancements in space technology. These innovations enable rapid response and the timely provision of necessary information.
Certainly, besides the mere availability of data for implementation, it’s essential to pay attention to the development of companies, organizations, and scientific specialists who are tasked with handling the data obtained through advancements in New Space and geospatial technologies.
Their expertise, abilities, and experience in effectively managing and interpreting this data are critical for a successful result.
Recently, we established the Aerospace Monitoring Training Center in our country. In essence, this center is committed to tackling the obstacles related to the utilization of satellite imagery.
Its primary objective is to equip professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively address evolving environmental issues.
By offering customized activities and programs, the center endeavors to surmount barriers within this domain, thereby bolstering our capacity to harness satellite technology efficiently.
What can be done to increase collaboration in spatial data sharing for sustainability initiatives?
Through geospatial solutions, our regional collaboration have increased year by year with projects on agriculture, cadastral and water resources management in Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.
This success demonstrates that our business model and sales strategy for geospatial data resources are on point.
By the way, I would like to mention that Azerbaijan collaborates with the Cosmic Climate Observatory and the United Nations’ “Global Climate” initiatives, using satellites to track the impacts of global climate change within its borders.
In the context of sustainable development goals, Azercosmos’ geospatial solutions significantly contribute to various areas.
Based on 17 Sustainable Development Goals, I can mention several aspects where satellite technologies contribute: Climate change, products forecasting and resource management, Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem Management, water and sanitation, urban planning and sustainable cities. There are more to list in.
As Azerbaijan prepares to host the UN Climate Change Conference – COP29, key annual event in addressing the global climate crisis, in November this year, one of the main focal points will be a specific sustainability development goal.
At Azercosmos, we are fully committed to actively participating in discussions and initiatives aimed at shaping a sustainable future.
Environmental responsibility is our foremost priority, and we are dedicated to engaging in insightful dialogues, sharing innovative solutions, and showcasing our initiatives.
How New Space and Geospatial tech helps decision-Makers at all level for better socio-economic plans?
Who are the decision-makers?! These are individuals and entities dedicated to improving our world, fostering innovation, development, and creation.
In their pursuit of progress, decision-makers recognize the immense value of new space and geospatial technologies as indispensable tools.
These technologies provide critical support, offering timely data, insights, and analysis necessary for effective decision-making.
New Space and Geospatial tech is a tool providing real-time monitoring, helps to manage disasters, plan infrastructure, precise agriculture, analyse economics and much more.
Availability of these technologies ensures that decision-makers have access to timely, accurate, and precise information, maximizing the effectiveness and impact of their efforts.
What is the future vision of Azercosmos?
Being a member of the world “Space Club” for 13 years has become something of a tagline for Azercosmos, marking the milestone of our first telecommunications satellite, Azerspace-1, in orbit.
The main directions of the services provided are: telecommunication, remote sensing and GIS solutions, ground station as a service, and spectrum management.
We carefully consider every direction and prioritize collaboration with both regional and international partners.
We have set a target to create and develop advanced technological solutions for peace and prosperity in the global space industry through our robust capabilities in satellite and teleport services.
Speaking of our financial stability, 90% of Azercosmos’ revenues are generated from sources abroad in over 50 countries globally.
Our export portfolio consists mainly of leading companies in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, and the Caucasus regions.
This allows us to establish ourselves as trustworthy partners, explore new opportunities, and strengthen collaboration with the international space industry.
Our vision for Earth Observation (EO) services revolves around leveraging digitalization to expand its capabilities, particularly by harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies.
The ultimate aim is for Azerbaijan to emerge as a global hub renowned for providing fast, reliable, and precise turn-key solutions that cater to diverse industry needs.
Our Earth Observation Services and Solutions are vital in furnishing policymakers with crucial information to grasp the factors influencing climate change.
To facilitate this, the Geographic Information Systems Center at Azercosmos has been delivering climate reports to the government in recent years.
These reports include comparative analyses and evaluations to identify the effects of global climate change on the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Through these initiatives, we contribute significantly to enhancing our understanding of climate change and supporting informed decision-making for sustainable development.
