Resolution of the First Earth Observation Use Case Ideas Competition for the Private Sector
The Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC — Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya) announced, last 29 June, the call to participate in the first Earth Observation Use Case Ideas Competition for the Private Sector. This initiative is framed within the NewSpace Strategy of Catalonia promoted by the Government of Catalonia with the participation of the IEEC, the Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya (ICGC) and the i2CAT Foundation.
The goal of this competition is to obtain innovative proposals for Earth Observation use cases that the NewSpace ecosystem can offer to the Catalan private business sector.
Among other requirements, the call requested that all cases presented be based on satellite data, include data from the ‘Menut’ nanosatellite—the second satellite mission, and the first of Earth Observation, of the NewSpace Strategy—as a demonstrator, be applicable to the Catalan territory and include the active participation of the end user.
The companies and proposals selected are:
The two chosen use cases will serve to promote the use of satellite data and highlight the benefits companies can obtain by incorporating data from ‘Menut’ into their operations. Both cases will be awarded a financial prize of 2,500 euros and will be eligible for a subsequent service contract of 47,500 euros each. You can check all the details on the public procurement services platform.
MARE project
The MARE project aims to improve drought monitoring capabilities in Catalonia through remote sensing-based soil moisture products at high spatial and temporal resolution. In addition, moisture maps will be produced at plot level with the aim of improving irrigation recommendations and crop yield estimates.
This project will be developed in collaboration with two Catalan entities: the company Aigües Segarra-Garrigues (ASG) and the agricultural company Regulatory Council of the Designation of Origin (CRDO) Terra Alta. Both organisations need the system to monitor the water status at plot level in their communities in order to optimise water (and energy) consumption and make a more accurate harvest forecast.
Espiadimonis project
On the other hand, Espiadimonis proposes an application aimed at professionals in the agricultural sector, without the need for specialised training, which automates the monitoring of the state of fields (tree and wine farms) based on the analysis of spectral data from satellites. Machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms will also be used to combine satellite information with other data obtained on the ground.
This product will allow field professionals to have, in a simple but complete way, all the information of the plots they want to monitor in order to optimise and maximise their production. In addition, it will also allow them to register, digitally and automatically, the work reports that collect the tasks carried out, associating the data taken. This project will be developed in collaboration with two Catalan companies: Agropixel, a technical consultancy for agricultural companies, and Codorníu, a wine company. Agropixel will use the solution to facilitate and improve its analysis, support and agronomic consultancy activities, while Codorníu will use it on the ground in their fieldworks.