Space Products and Services
Energy, Resources, and Environmental Management
Concerned about Space Debris
Of growing concern to the international community is orbital debris— ranging from paint flecks to entire upper stages— resulting from half a century of space access. It is estimated that…
Hoping to Nip Disease in the Bud and Keep Electricity Flowing
65 countries, the European Commission (EC) and more than 40 international organizations are supporting the development of a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) during the next decade. GEOSS…
Virtual World Courtesy of the Internet
A novel application of satellite capabilities that supports retail operations came online in 2005 with the launch of Google Earth—an interactive, 3D map of the Earth’s surface constructed entirely of…
Finding Oil and Gas, then Keeping it Moving, Safely
Remote sensing satellites will continue to be used for resource identification and management. The demand for energy is expected to rise, resulting in a greater reliance on hyper-spectral sensors for…
Saving Crops and Determining Water Needs with Earth Observation
The agriculture industry leverages weather forecasting technologies and satellite systems that increase the accuracy of local forecasts. More accurate short-term forecasts can prevent crop loss and save an additional $40…
Hurricanes and Disaster Monitoring Constellations
The dominant space technology that supports energy and Earth resources is remote sensing. Remote sensing images are not limited to the wavelengths of light that can be seen by the…
Detecting Poachers in Africa
Satellite technology can be critical to managing resources and protecting endangered species in natural areas with little existing infrastructure. The use of satellite images allows researchers to study patterns of…
Watching the Polar Ice Caps from Space
Space assets are also responding to environmental challenges. In 2007, satellite monitoring of the polar ice caps by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) in Boulder, Colorado, showed…
Collaring and Tracking Coyotes
Among the examples of the role of space in wildlife and resource management, New York State is sponsoring a study on the behavior of coyotes, which have become an increasingly…
Locating Oil Well Locations Using Gravity
In support of the oil and gas industry, a U.K.-based company has used technology from an ESA gravity mission to develop a gravity strength sensor, or gravity gradiometer, to help…