Three different types of organisations are benefitting from enhancements to a data platform focussing on the provision of agricultural information, thanks to an ESA Demonstration Project. The Fusion Platform® from Digital Content Analysis Technology Ltd (D-CAT) in the UK now offers tailored, on-demand services to agricultural corporates and a new marketplace for algorithm and data providers.

Satellite data offers a potentially powerful solution for farmers to understand the status of their crops and fields on a large-scale basis, especially when combined with airborne and ground-based data. D-CAT now provides a flexible range of options for agricultural corporates that makes full use of such data, following the expansion of services available through its Fusion Platform® as a result of the 16-month Demonstration Project, co-funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), which started in April 2020. These corporate clients can then create their own on-demand API (Application Programming Interface) services for farmers and agronomists to use as part of their daily decision-making.

Unusually, D-CAT’s agricultural platform does not solely focus on just one group of users. Instead, it also provides a route for algorithm providers to commercialise their bespoke solutions by making them available to end-users through the ‘Algorithms as a Service’ marketplace capability. Developers can trade through the marketplace via either licence or pay-per-click agreements.

The third group of Fusion users are data providers who hold the rights to satellite Earth observation (EO) imagery. Fusion provides a ‘reverse auction’ capability for data. End-users can choose from multiple price/performance options for the data or imagery service they require, and then data providers can bid to provide these services at the agreed price. 

“Our aim is to deliver data intelligence that makes a real, impactful difference to businesses across the globe, supporting them to achieve their financial and environmental goals,” explained Phil McLachlan, CEO of Glasgow-based D-CAT.

D-CAT itself offers a combination of space, drone, and ground-based assets, including free and commercial optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) EO imagery. This includes Sentinel-1, -2 and -3, and Landsat 8 data. The system also makes use of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data.

Global Demonstration Project partners 

D-CAT worked with a variety of organisations during the Demonstrator Project, including existing client Elders, an Australian company. “Working with D-CAT on its ESA co-funded Fusion Platform® has allowed our business to explore the benefits of potential new services with our own clients,” said Graham Page, Head of Technical Services at Elders. “During this Demonstration Project, we established that our clients have an appetite for paying for new digital agritech services, and in particular those that detect frost damage and predict yield and biomass months before harvest.”

Algorithm providers involved in the project included Australian company P2P Agri and Pixalytics and the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde from the UK. The data providers were AAC Clyde Space (UK) and HyperSat LLC (US). 

AAC Clyde Space are continually developing their Space Data as a Service model, incorporating innovative technology and service solutions where a significant step change can be realised. This aligns with the Fusion Platform® approach, which provides it with a new distribution channel for its – and its partners’ – EO data and allows it to price its data differently for different applications. “Fusion increases our customer reach without the proportionate sales effort and time on our side,” explained Dr Andrew Carrel, President of Data and Services at AAC Clyde Space.

The Fusion Platform® is now being commercially developed, including broadening the scope to other areas, including insurance, commodities, and infrastructure. Its API service capabilities are already being shared by Amazon Web Services (AWS) on its Marketplace and Data Exchange platforms, after AWS was selected to provide the project’s server-less architecture.

This story is part of our new story series: Meet the Ambassador Network. In this new series, we’re going to introduce you to the great teams across our Network that are using space to develop business applied in daily life. Curious about their highlights and advice? Read on.

1.    Who is the ESA Business Applications Ambassador for Poland?

The ESA Business Applications Ambassador Platform in Poland is appointed to Martyna Gatkowska, from Absiskey Polska Company (based in Warsaw). Formerly Kapitech, for many years the company serves as a consultant, supporting various industries in applying for European Commission (EC) projects as well as sharing knowledge about space utility for everybody through the Space Hub Platform and meetings. 

2.    Tell us about the people in your team and what strength/added value do you bring through.

I am Martyna Gatkowska, a remote sensing specialist with more than 13 years experience in applying Earth observation (EO) data for various sectors of industry. I have extensive experience in proposal preparation, both for ESA and EC, and am willing to share this experience with companies in Poland and Europe. I also have an understanding of developing business models as well as building customised EO-based products and applications for various customers. 

Our team is supported by a marketing specialist, together with experts in remote sensing and proposal development who work with companies to build their marketing offer and gain interest in ESA and final users. Absiskey’s team is ready to step in and help whenever their experience and expertise is needed. 

3.    What has inspired you to work in the space industry? 

I came across space, Earth observation in particular, in 2007 when I started my Masters in remote sensing. I learned that space can solve many problems and open many unopened doors! From then, I never stopped being amused by the possibilities brought by space. 

4.    Do you look for/have companies working to solve big world problems? 

I have already worked with companies to help them solve solutions to the world's many burning problems and challenges. I try to share awareness of space applicability for various sectors and its potential to solve things. If you feel like you have an idea on how to use space assets to solve a problem or simply build an innovative solution which is being sought by your clients, let me know! I am looking forward to hearing it and to supporting you in your path to space innovation. 

5.    Please present between 1 and maximum 4 examples with the name of the start-up, website and a short sentence of what are they doing. 

Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń (PZU) – offers insurance from many risks. PZU is applying Sentinel data to estimate the crop yield reduction due to unfavourable weather conditions. The space-based solution delivers timely and accurate data in more time and cost efficient way than traditional visits to the agricultural field.

SATIM – was founded in 2012 and uses satellite-based radar imagery to develop products and services targeted to various market sectors, such as: mains, ships detection, landslides monitoring and many more. 

6.    What is your advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? 

Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and think big! If you have a glimpse of a thought that space is the path you want to undertake, let me know! The Polish space sector has much to offer and I will be happy to help you find a solution provider or to advise you how to build your own business with space.

7.    Using one word, how would you describe the ESA Space Solutions community?  

Each of us: Broker, Ambassador or Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) representatives are part of this family, which means that we will do everything that we can to allow you to get the support you need, as soon as possible, through the Network of contacts and our internal cooperation. 

8.    How would you solve problems if you were from Mars? 

I would use my Network connections to call my BFF on Earth! And together we will solve all problems.  

9.    What is your website link where the readers can find more about you? 

You can find out more at the ESA Ambassador Platform for Poland. Soon the ESA Space Solutions for Poland website will be ready and available under following address: www.spacesolutionspoland.pl 

ABOUT ESA SPACE SOLUTIONS

ESA Space Solutions is the go-to place for great business ideas involving space in all areas of society and economy. Our mission is to support entrepreneurs in Europe in the development of business using satellite applications and space technology to improve everyday life.

 

Mining operations can cause movement in the land above, which can impact homes, businesses, and infrastructure. A highly accurate subsidence information service created through an ESA Demonstration Project is now set to help residents of a mining-affected area to win the compensation they are entitled to. 

In the southern Polish province of Silesia, intensive mining activity is combined with heavy urbanisation. The region contains the largest hard coalfields in the European Union (EU) and is the most densely populated area of Poland. 

Due to the extensive networks of historic and active coal mines below the surface, Silesia’s people face ongoing challenges of land movement. Between 5,000 and 10,000 subsidence compensation claims are submitted every year by citizens and businesses. However, for those who cannot afford lawyers’ fees, it can be difficult to build a strong case for the compensation they are due.  

Subsidence mapping

Now, thanks to an ESA Demonstration Project with Krakow-based company SATIM, detailed subsidence data is freely and easily accessible to residents of Silesia who are concerned about movement affecting their homes. 

In the partnership, ESA supported SATIM to apply their skills in differential radar interferometry (DInSAR) to radar imagery from the EU Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellites. With this rich dataset, SATIM created interactive maps of the shifting terrain, accurate to 1cm and updated every quarter, available at osiadanieterenu.pl. The maps show, for example, that in the southern part of Silesia vertical subsidence over seven years has reached as much as 270cm. 

Democratised data

Crucially, this information has been made available free-of-charge to residents, thanks to an agreement between SATIM and Silesia’s regional government. As well as access to the maps of subsidence, citizens can set up automatic alerts of new subsidence in their area. 

Oliver Becu, who oversaw the SATIM Demonstration Project for ESA, said: “The demonstration of the technology generated real enthusiasm from users. A highlight of this project is the creation of a service that is being invested in by local government, on behalf of their citizens.” 

Widening impact

The quality and innovation of the osiadanieterenu.pl application was recognised by Poland’s Head Office of Geodesy and Cartography, who awarded it second prize in a competition for commercial applications in this field. 

Daria Soszyńska, Sales Development Specialist at SATIM said: “We are proud to have worked with ESA on this product that is assisting the residents of Silesia with compensation claims, and we’re excited that citizens in other areas of Poland may soon have access.”

The product is currently available on the commercial market.  It is being used successfully by various institutions and the public at large.