[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/www.ieec.cat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/slider-comunicacio.jpg” max_height=”130px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”24px||11px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-orgs” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700||on|||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”|700|||||||” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_font_size_phone=”26px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoiY3VzdG9tX21ldGFfb3JnYW5pemFjaW9uZXMiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImVuYWJsZV9odG1sIjoib2ZmIn19@[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title author=”off” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” module_class=”ieec-title et_pb_text_align_center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Cairo|300|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”40px” meta_font=”||on||||||” meta_text_align=”center” meta_font_size=”16px” title_font_size_tablet=”35px” title_font_size_phone=”30px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ieec.cat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Captura-de-pantalla-2025-05-13-104810-1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-img-footer” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.1em” background_color=”rgba(64,111,218,0.15)” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px|20px|30px|20px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Members of the IEEC and IsardSAT who contributed to the development of the MARE project. IEEC<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Earth Observation is a key tool in sectors such as agriculture, providing accurate information to optimize processes and support data-driven decision-making.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>MARE<\/b> project, developed by the company <\/span>isardSAT<\/span><\/a>, has created an<\/span> innovative methodology using satellite data<\/b> to deliver a comprehensive view of drought conditions and crop water needs. The project has focused on the irrigation communities of Aig\u00fces Segarra-Garrigues and Terra Alta, with the aim of <\/span>optimizing agricultural irrigation and ensuring efficient water resource management.<\/b><\/p>\n Using data collected since 2015 by NASA’s SMAP and Landsat satellites, and new algorithms developed by isardSAT, <\/span>MARE has created maps showing a new drought index and weekly estimates of soil moisture in agricultural areas<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n These maps, with a innovative resolution of 100 meters, make it possible to <\/span>anticipate water availability for crops<\/b> and assess soil moisture levels compared to the 10-year historical average (to determine whether it is drier or wetter), on a weekly basis. This information is essential for <\/span>maximizing water use efficiency and supporting evidence-based decision-making<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n The project was part of the first <\/span>\u2018Earth Observation Use Case Ideas Competition for the Private Sector\u2019<\/span><\/a>, coordinated by the <\/span>Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia<\/span><\/a> (IEEC \u2014 Institut d\u2019Estudis Espacials de Catalunya) in collaboration with the Institut Cartogr\u00e0fic i Geol\u00f2gic de Catalunya (ICGC). This initiative is framed within <\/span>Catalonia\u2019s NewSpace Strategy<\/span><\/a>, promoted by the Government of Catalonia and implemented in collaboration with the IEEC, ICGC, and the i2CAT Foundation.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/VaY0p80T9ck” play_icon_color=”#1E2793″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”75%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n One of the project\u2019s highlights has been the integration of <\/span>data from Menut<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>Catalonia\u2019s second nanosatellite, launched into orbit in January 2023 under the NewSpace Strategy. Menut\u2019s data has been integrated with those from the Earth observation satellite Sentinel-3 \u2014European Union\u2019s Copernicus programme<\/a>, which provides land surface temperature maps at a resolution of 1 km\u2014, and with data from the SMOS (ESA) and SMAP (NASA) satellites \u2014which provide soil moisture information\u2014.<\/span><\/p>\n The combination of these data<\/b>, along with artificial intelligence techniques, has enabled the generation of soil temperature and moisture maps at a <\/span>groundbreaking resolution of 5 meters <\/b>(see image below). This enhancement provides a precise view of the water status at the plot scale, detecting moisture differences between cultivated fields and surrounding paths, in order to optimize water resource management.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ieec.cat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Combinacio-MARE-100m-5m-resolucio.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-img-footer” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.1em” background_color=”rgba(64,111,218,0.15)” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px|20px|30px|20px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Comparison of soil moisture maps at 100-meter resolution, using data from NASA\u2019s SMAP and Landsat 7, 8, and 9 satellites (left); and at 5-meter resolution, using data from Menut, Sentinel-3 and SMOS\/SMAP satellites (right), over specific plots in the Delta de l’Ebre (Catalonia). <\/span>isardSAT<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|auto|-24px|auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Projects like MARE demonstrate the potential of NewSpace technologies to open up <\/span>new perspectives for drought monitoring and management<\/b>, allowing farmers and water managers to adopt more efficient and sustainable solutions in the face of climate change challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#406fda” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-28px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-sub-title” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Cairo|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#406fda” text_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n MARE Explorer<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The MARE project allows you to explore weekly drought data from April 2015 to 2023:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/mare.isardsat.com\/producte?delta=eyIvcHJlc2V0cy9vc3RhL3Bvc2l0aW9ucy8wL3pvb20iOjE3LjgxMzc4MTE5MTIxNzA0LCIvcHJlc2V0cy9vc3RhL3Bvc2l0aW9ucy8wL2xvbmdpdHVkZSI6MH0%3D” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”explore” button_alignment=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#1E2793″ button_bg_color=”rgba(26,17,64,0.1)” button_font=”|||on|||||” button_on_hover=”off” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”12px|45px|12px|35px|true|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_bg_color__hover=”#406fda” button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_text_color__hover=”#FFFFFF”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_class=”ieec-about” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(64,111,218,0.15)” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px|50px|20px|50px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Sobre l’IEEC” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”25px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_2_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_2_font_size_phone=”23px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” link_font=”|700|||on||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC \u2014 Institut d\u2019Estudis Espacials de Catalunya) promotes and coordinates space research and technology development in Catalonia for the benefit of society. IEEC fosters collaborations both locally and worldwide and is an efficient agent of knowledge, innovation and technology transfer. As a result of more than 25 years of high-quality research, done in collaboration with major international organisations, IEEC ranks among the best international research centres, focusing on areas such as: astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, and Earth Observation. IEEC\u2019s engineering division develops instrumentation for ground- and space-based projects, and has extensive experience in working with private or public organisations from the aerospace and other innovation sectors.<\/p>\n The IEEC is a non-profit public sector foundation that was established in February 1996. It has a Board of Trustees composed of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Universitat Aut\u00f2noma de Barcelona (UAB), Universitat Polit\u00e8cnica de Catalunya \u00b7 BarcelonaTech (UPC), and the Spanish Research Council (CSIC). The IEEC is also a CERCA centre.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The MARE project, developed by the company isardSAT, has created an innovative methodology using satellite data to deliver a comprehensive view of drought conditions and crop water needs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":35398,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"2880","footnotes":""},"categories":[71,79,133],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","category-institutional","category-newspace-en-2"],"yoast_head":"\nEnhanced resolution thanks to Menut<\/h2>\n
About the IEEC<\/h2>\n