Satellite data in action: Key applications of the EU space programme
Publication Date/Time
2024-05-30T09:00:00+00:00
Open data from satellites to monitor climate change, enable navigation
systems and enhance high-speed connectivity
Space technology plays a crucial role in our daily lives, contributing
to a digital, green and resilient future. Satellites provide vital
data and services, including weather forecasts, broadband internet
access, GPS navigation and support in areas like agriculture, crisis
response and climate change mitigation. In line with the EU’s
ambitious plans for environmental and digital transformation laid out
in the Green Deal
[https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en]
and Digital Decade
[https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/europes-digital-decade-digital-targets-2030_en],
the EU Space Programme
[https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-space-policy/eu-space-programme_en]
ensures we have the data we need to tackle these challenges. 

The EU Space Programme covers a wide range of activities, including
earth observation, satellite navigation, connectivity and space
research and innovation. This comprehensive programme revolves around
three main components: (1) Copernicus, the EU’s earth observation
system; (2) Galileo, a global satellite navigation and positioning
system; and (3) Egnos, an aviation, maritime and land-based navigation
precision system. Moreover, in February 2022, the EU proposed two new
space policy initiatives
[https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/space-eu-initiatives-satellite-based-connectivity-system-and-eu-approach-management-space-traffic_en]:
the EU Space-Based Secure Connectivity System (2023-2027), aiming to
ensure satellite communication and fast internet connection across
Europe; and Space Traffic Management to establish standards and
regulations for safe and sustainable space use. 

The EU Space Programme collects, provides and relies on satellite
data, including earth observations, environmental monitoring,
meteorology, geospatial information and mobility data. Such data is
generally classified as high-value data
[https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/datastories/high-value-datasets-overview-through-visualisation]
as it provides important benefits for society, the environment and the
economy. Recognising their importance, the EU is committed to making
these datasets increasingly accessible by making them open and free. 

This data story uses open data to illustrate the breadth of
information derived from satellites and the multitude of systems
powered by satellite data. In addition, it dives into how satellite
data supports navigation systems, enables high-speed connectivity and
helps us track climate change. 

 

SATELLITE DATA ON CLIMATE CHANGE 

Satellite data has transformed environmental monitoring, providing a
more comprehensive foundation for policymaking and enhancing overall
environmental management. Previously, measurements were primarily
conducted at ground level, leading to inconsistencies as data was
interpolated to create a comprehensive overview. In contrast, earth
observation satellites offer a panoramic perspective, capturing
detailed snapshots of vast regions in a regular, uniform and
instantaneous manner. 

Copernicus is the EU’s earth observation programme and serves as the
primary global provider of extensive space data. Copernicus retrieves
satellite data which undergoes complex climate modelling processes and
is translated into tangible, understandable indicators. These are the
climate indicators, which showcase the long-term evolution of key
variables crucial for assessing global and regional climate trends.
The indicators are regularly updated and featured in the annual
European State of the Climate [https://climate.copernicus.eu/ESOTC]
report. 

Figure 1 provides a snapshot of the key climate indicators included
in the European State of the Climate report. Open data from satellites
shows that surface air temperature in Europe has surged by 2.3˚ C
over the past 173 years, while sea temperatures have risen by
1˚ C in the same time period. Moreover, sea levels are rising at a
rate of around 2-4 mm per year, while CH4 greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions have increased by 10 parts per billion between 2010-2023 and
glaciers shrunk by 850 km3 between 1976-2023. You can check what other
key indicators inform decision-making processes at the EU level here
[https://climate.copernicus.eu/ESOTC]. 
[https://data.europa.eu/sites/default/files/img/media/20240519_Satellites_Climate%20indicators.png]
FIGURE 1: Key climate indicators provided by Copernicus in the
European State of Climate report (_Source:_ climate.copernicus.eu
[https://climate.copernicus.eu/climate-indicators]) 

 

SATELLITE DATA FOR NAVIGATION SYSTEMS 

Satellite navigation stands as another pivotal application enabled by
satellites. European satellites are providing users with global
positioning, navigation and timing information. More specifically,
Galileo serves as the EU’s global satellite navigation and
positioning system, offering positioning accuracy to within 20 cm. 

Figure 2 provides an overview of Galileo-compatible devices,
showcasing a multitude of applications across various sectors. In
transportation, for instance, Galileo plays a vital role in maritime,
railway, air and road navigation. Moreover, Galileo extends its
positioning capabilities to mobile devices, with over 2.5 billion
smartphones being Galileo-enabled by the end of 2023
[https://www.usegalileo.eu/EN/inner.html#data=smartphone]. 

Satellite data also revolutionises specific industries like
agriculture, where precision farming enables European farmers to
increase productivity and minimise environmental impact. Furthermore,
Galileo’s search and rescue service significantly reduces response
times in crises
[https://www.usegalileo.eu/EN/inner.html#data=emergency], decreasing
the time to locate individuals lost at sea or in the mountains from 3
hours to just 10 minutes. Notably, Galileo plays a central role in the
EU’s eCall
[https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/security-and-emergencies/emergency-assistance-vehicles-ecall/index_en.htm]
initiative, wherein all new car and light van models sold in the EU
since March 2018 must be equipped with eCall devices that
automatically alert rescue services in the event of an accident.
Explore the plethora of applications powered by Galileo data here
[https://www.usegalileo.eu/EN/inner.html]!  
[https://data.europa.eu/sites/default/files/img/media/20240519_Satellites_Galileo.png]
FIGURE 2: The different applications of satellite data coming from
Galileo (_Source:_ usegalileo.eu
[https://www.usegalileo.eu/EN/inner.html#data=space]) 

 

SATELLITE DATA FOR HIGH-SPEED INTERNET CONNECTIVITY 

One of the primary goals of the EU Space-Based Secure Connectivity
System
[https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-space-policy/iris2_en]
is to ‘ensure high-speed internet broadband to address connectivity
dead zones.’ This multiorbital system is designed to guarantee the
long-term availability of reliable, secure and cost-effective
satellite communication services on a global scale and eliminate
communication dead zones. 

Open data offers insights into the current state of internet
connectivity across EU Member States from 2013 to 2021. The data
reveals diverse trends, with some countries experiencing rapid growth,
such as Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands, while others exhibit a
fast but more gradual increase, like Bulgaria, Spain, France and
Romania. Remarkably, Denmark, Luxembourg and Malta emerge as top
performers, with nearly all households enjoying access to high-speed
connectivity. Overall, the EU has seen a steady rise in connectivity,
with approximately 75% of households now equipped with high-capacity
network connections. Explore your country’s internet access status
further here
[https://data.europa.eu/data/datasets/nmwwnrtooe2sfi7ymv6v3g?locale=en]! 
[https://data.europa.eu/sites/default/files/img/media/20240519_Satellites_High-speed%20internet_alt2%20%28002%29.png]
FIGURE 3: High-speed connectivity across Member States (_Source:_
data.europa.eu
[https://data.europa.eu/data/datasets/nmwwnrtooe2sfi7ymv6v3g?locale=en]/Eurostat
[https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20220822-1]) 

 

CONCLUSION 

This data story showed the importance of satellite data, and of the EU
Space Programme broadly, in our daily lives. The three visualisations
highlighted how satellite data guides policymaking on crucial issues
such as climate change, how it allows us to use GPS and enables our
connectivity. As we navigate towards a more connected and sustainable
future, harnessing the power of open data becomes crucial in enabling
informed decision-making. Do you want to explore other applications of
satellite data? You can access numerous open datasets on
data.europa.eu
[https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/datastories/leveraging-open-data-tackle-cyber-disinformation].
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