Democratization Of Space
Geospatial World|July-August 2017

Decreased costs, increased capabilities and pathbreaking innovations are making earth observation satellites more relevant to businesses and public good. 

Anusuya Datta
Democratization Of Space

There is a silent revolution happening with space technology. The ability of satellites to transform businesses and quality of life today is more relevant than ever, and associated technologies have expanded at an exponential space in the recent times.

This phenomenon, which is coming to be known as ‘democratization of space’, essentially implies that more people and/or organizations are participating in the industry. This is to say we are on the verge of a new space race where the players, technology, and services are as diverse as it is innovative.

As Anne Hale Miglarese, CEO, Radiant.Earthputs it: “The transformation of the space industry is largely driven by innovations in launch and satellite manufacturing technology.” For instance, we have moved from a satellite launch mass of 20,000 kg to less than 4 kg in the span of 60 years. This “New Space” industry is not only defined by rapid inventions, lower costs, and ride share opportunities, but also commercially available parts and incremental development.

The sharing economy in space, already a double-digit billion-dollar industry, is one of the fundamental societal transformations that we are experiencing collectively. It relates to the shift from just large players — specifically, governments and big corporations — who operate satellites, distribute data and supply services, towards opening of the market participant aperture to include many dozens of startups that not only deploy new technologies to support traditional applications, but also develop new applications, she adds.

“We are witnessing a convergence of technologies that will revolutionize remote sensing, generating more diverse data than ever before,” points out Fritz Schlereth, Head of Product, Descartes Labs.

What are the drivers

Denne historien er fra July-August 2017-utgaven av Geospatial World.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra July-August 2017-utgaven av Geospatial World.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA GEOSPATIAL WORLDSe alt
Advanced Image And Signal Processing To Affordable Launch Systems: The Excitement Continues
Geospatial World

Advanced Image And Signal Processing To Affordable Launch Systems: The Excitement Continues

Space has once again become the “new frontier” with capabilities such as in-orbit satellite servicing and in-orbit assembly incessantly challenging the human mind. Intriguing geospatial innovations have blurred the difference between reality and science-fiction. Such developments are exciting and encouraging, MDA CEO Howard Lance tells in an exclusive interview

time-read
5 mins  |
July-August 2017
40 Years Of Disruptive Innovation In 3D
Geospatial World

40 Years Of Disruptive Innovation In 3D

40 Years Of Disruptive Innovation In 3D

time-read
4 mins  |
July-August 2017
Cleaning Up Space Debris
Geospatial World

Cleaning Up Space Debris

A spacecraft thruster that fuels itself by eating space junks is all set to take off with the Airbus Bartolomeo mission.

time-read
4 mins  |
July-August 2017
Newest In The Self-driving Cars Mix- Rental Companies
Geospatial World

Newest In The Self-driving Cars Mix- Rental Companies

With numerous talks about how autonomous vehicles are going to transform the transportation industry, rental car companies are making sure they don’t lag behind.

time-read
3 mins  |
July-August 2017
Mapping Sanitation
Geospatial World

Mapping Sanitation

Hexagon Geospatial’s technology is helping an Indian city resolve its poor sanitation and provide a better life to the less affluent communities.

time-read
3 mins  |
July-August 2017
How Satellites Are Rebooting Building Design
Geospatial World

How Satellites Are Rebooting Building Design

Today’s electromagnetic and earth observation systems are propelling a future-habitats’ design movement that could be named Astrospatial Architecture.

time-read
10+ mins  |
July-August 2017
Geospatial World

Luciad's Smart City

Solution Makes Real Time Data Visualization Easy

time-read
2 mins  |
September-October 2017
Geospatial World

Satellite Imagery+Crop Insurance=Small Holder Farmer's Gain

Satellite intelligence is enriching new insurance products aimed at helping India's smallholders to withstand climate shocks

time-read
5 mins  |
September-October 2017
He Rocked the Mapping World
Geospatial World

He Rocked the Mapping World

THE HARDER THE STRUGGLE, THE more glorious the triumph. But not many people have the courage to persevere in the face of failures.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2017
Rolling in the Deep
Geospatial World

Rolling in the Deep

WHEN IT COMES TO choosing a career path, India has a long tradition of following the family practise. It is pretty common to see a doctor’s son taking up medicine or a chartered accountant’s daughter joining her father’s firm. So, when the son of the Dean of the city’s medical college and the grandson of the state’s most prominent physician decided to break the family tradition, quite a few eyebrows were raised.

time-read
5 mins  |
January/February 2017