Trends & Updates of the Space Sector

Figure 1: Satellite orbiting Earth. Source: Pexels

Satellite data as video

Currently what we folks at Space4Good analyze are still images of different parts of the Earth with varying resolutions (temporal and spatial). We use them together with algorithms, spatial models, vector and raster operations to identify, monitor and assess a variety of use cases and problems in the area. Still, images have served their purpose well, but there are some use cases which would benefit from a continuous stream of data such as a video. Here you can think of satellites used for military/security operations, or for wildlife monitoring and traffic management, which are situations very closely dependent on movement and dynamics.

Satellites as a service

We are generally familiar with the concept of software as a service (SaaS). This was a huge turning point in the software industry as people didn’t have the obligation to buy and install a full software package; they could now pay a subscription and obtain the software in a cloud version selectively. The same business model is now being applied to satellites, Satellite as a Service (SataaS). As their build and launch cost has considerably decreased, companies can now offer satellites to accomplish a specific task tailored to your needs.

New mega-constellations

Developments in the past two years have shown incredible changes in the space sector with records in the number of annually launched satellites. The commercial sector has taken up the Low Earth Orbit Satellites, and even NASA has yielded leadership to these within this space, by providing funding to these companies to spearhead these operations. Several of these initiatives are based on mega-constellations and aimed to bring internet to wide parts of the globe no matter the location or the “remoteness” of a locality. Starlink by SpaceX (Elon Musk) and Project Kuipier by Amazon are headliners within this arena, with 4,408 (potentially up to 42,00) and 3,236 satellites respectively. It is precisely because these satellites operate in low orbit that they require such a high number in order to cover the surface of the Earth. Their increasing number has already been met with concerns: from difficulties for astronomers’ observations to a higher risk of satellite collision.

Too much can be too much-space debris

In this day in age, space is the new frontier, and as we continue to perform space explorations, and new innovations we are already floating amidst a sea of space debris. From old discontinued satellites to discarded rockets there are around 27,000 pieces of orbital debris objects flying around us. This is creating a very fertile ground for an uncontrolled collision event, known as Keppler Syndrom, where when colliding one of these pieces of debris can achieve 10xbullet speed and collisional chain reactions not only putting human lives at risk but can actually be destructive to the operational systems.

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Space4Good is our name and driving force: leveraging space technology to support impactful, inspirational projects and change-makers around the world.

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Space4Good

Space4Good is our name and driving force: leveraging space technology to support impactful, inspirational projects and change-makers around the world.