The UK Geospatial Commission, part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), has launched a pilot programme for the use of Earth Observation (EO) data for UK public sector bodies.
The aim of the pilot programme is to explore how EO data will help to unlock the value of EO technology in priority policy areas, such as land use, emergency incident response and environmental monitoring.
Use of EO Data in Key Policy Areas
The UK government is planning to use the EO data for academic, institutional, commercial services and public sectors.
Earth Observation (EO) is the collection, analysis and presentation of data about the Earth’s physical, chemical and biological systems via remote sensing technologies.
As part of the wider programme, from 2023 to 2024, the initiative will involve up to 35 public sector bodies testing data against a range of use cases. The aim of the program is to lower the barrier to entry of data for the public sector to build an understanding of the EO market.
It is said that data and services for the EO pilot initiative will be delivered in partnership with Airbus Defence and Space, a division of the multinational aerospace corporation, to public sector bodies throughout the UK. The UK public sector bodies which are eligible, will be able to access and test the data against a range of use cases for the 12-month pilot period.
Viscount Camrose, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said, “This government is taking action to unlock the significant potential of fast-developing location technologies. The Earth Observation capability that is being piloted by the Geospatial Commission will test how we can drive innovation in the heart of government service delivery, from effective disaster response to enhancing the science behind our understanding of land use change.”
To meet UK’s National Space Strategy ambition
DSIT works closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the UK Space Agency to consider how government can meet the needs of the UK’s EO sector and deliver the National Space Strategy ambition.
Thalia Baldwin, Director of Geospatial Commission, added: “Our Earth Observation pilot is aiming to keep the UK in its high geospatial orbit, increasing public sector capability and the demand for market innovation through testing new applications of EO data and technologies.”
To ensure the working of the pilot programme, the Geospatial Commission co-funded research with the Satellite Applications Catapult. The research showcased the increasing demand for Earth Observation data across 154 use cases from 125 organisations. The Research also identified the issues to the public sector’s wider adoption of EO data. The issues include different levels of technical understanding and the challenges of keeping pace with the fast-developing EO market and establishing a robust case for investment.
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