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On World Ocean Day, which takes place every year on 8 June, people around the world celebrate our shared ocean and take action to protect and restore it for future generations. Today we take a look at how EU Space contributes to these efforts by providing data that improves our understanding of the ocean ecosystem and enables applications and services that help to minimise the impact of human activity on ocean health.

The 2020 EU Blue Economy Report tells us that a sustainable Blue Economy allows society to obtain value from the oceans and coastal regions, while respecting the long-term capacity of the oceans to regenerate and endure these activities. This sustainable approach is at the heart of the European Green Deal. However, implementation of the sustainable practices implicit in the Green Deal will require reliable, accurate and centralised data. This is where EU Space has an invaluable role to play.

EU’s eyes on the ocean

The Earth observation programme Copernicus supports EU policies and international commitments related to ocean governance. However, Copernicus is more than just a data provider. It also offers a large range of services that empower all users, from scientists and policy managers to private companies who want to drive the blue economy and scientific innovation.  

Watch this: Monitoring Ocean Currents

The mission of the Copernicus Marine Service is to monitor the oceans. The service provides 4D regular, authoritative, quality-assured information about the ocean. This information is available for free and is accessible from anywhere in the world, allowing us to know more about the past, current and future state of the Blue, White and Green ocean. This data can be used to create applications for both the public and private sectors. 

What’s more, EO data from Copernicus can be combined with highly accurate positioning and navigation information from Galileo and EGNOS to enable monitoring and tracking solutions and targeted action to tackle environmental and legal issues at sea – detecting and monitoring oil spills and the vessels involved.

GNSS and the oceans

In synergy with EO, and on its own, EGNSS (Galileo and EGNOS) has been enabling applications that address challenges in the marine environment. This time last year, we looked at specific projects that leverage space tech to monitor and protect the oceans. Since then, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) has been tapping into the innovative spirit of Europe’s start-ups to deliver new space-based environmental solutions.

And this: EGNOS for Waterborne Transport

Through its various prizes, such as MyGalileoSolution, MyGalileoDrone and Farming by Satellite, EUSPA has been challenging young entrepreneurs and start-ups to deliver solutions to pressing societal challenges, and the ocean has benefited from this innovative drive. The first-prize winner in Track 1 (from idea to prototype) of this year’s MyGalileoSolution competition was VisionAnchor the world's first video anchor monitoring system for boats. By providing eyes on ships’ anchors around the clock, this solution helps to increase safety and reduce the damage caused by anchors to the marine environment. smartSAR, one of the MyGalileoDrone finalists, focused on the development of a drone-based solution to faster locate survivors in maritime disasters, while at the same time reducing the workload of search and rescue (SAR) ship crews.

While the ocean indirectly benefits from all space-based applications that increase the efficiency of agriculture, thanks to reduced run-off of pesticides and fertilizer, this year a winning project in the Farming by Satellite competition directly addressed the ocean environment. Third prize in the competition went to AI4OceanFarming, a solution that uses satellite data to identify ocean farming threats such as harmful algal blooms, ocean acidification, and invasive species. 

Are you up for a Challenge?

The drive to leverage space to serve the environment does not stop there. The Space for our Planet Challenge is one of four challenges in this year’s Galileo Masters competition, targeting solutions that lead to more environmentally friendly living and decision-making, resulting in a healthier planet.

In this challenge, participants are encouraged to submit solutions using Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus as key enablers to support sustainable and smart mobility and the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy, contributing to Europe’s climate change agenda, protecting the environment and preserving biodiversity. Participants are also encouraged to support Europe’s zero-pollution ambition and to propose solutions that will enable us to build and renovate in an energy and resource efficient way.

If you have an idea about how to use space to serve the planet, and in particular – to protect and restore the oceans, why not let us know about it! The deadline for submissions in this year’s Galileo Masters competition is July 19, so you still have time to develop your ideas. Click here for more information. 

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

The CASSINI Space Entrepreneurship Initiative is a European Commission entrepreneurial support mechanism that cuts across all components of EU Space Programme. It offers actions targeted at the full entrepreneurial lifecycle - from idea generation to market entry and growth – and covers both the upstream and downstream sectors. As part of the initiative, the first CASSINI Hackathon, on 18-20 June 2021, will challenge participants to leverage space synergies to digitise Europe’s green spaces. To register, click here.

European space technologies have many capabilities that allow us to access, understand and protect nature. From monitoring vegetation changes and developing ‘green’ indicators and optimal access routes to forecasting air pollutants, UV indexes and park congestion, the possibilities are truly limitless. 

The upcoming hackathon is the first in a series of six CASSINI hackathons initiated by the European Union and its space programme to tackle global challenges using European space technologies. The first hackathon in the series will task participants with leveraging geospatial information from Copernicus Earth observation data and its services, together with positioning technologies from Galileo and EGNOS, to digitise Europe’s green spaces.

Read this: Space synergies serving the environment

Each of the six hackathons will take place in ten different locations simultaneously. Winners will be awarded at both local and EU level, with the three overall winners gaining access to a six-month mentoring programme that includes 100 hours of expert advisory. The coaching programme will support the winning teams in building sustainable and successful businesses.

What’s in store?

Participants from across Europe will choose from ten different locations hosted by an affiliated organisation in Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Switzerland. Each location features its own unique set of experts, prizes, and technology and application focuses. Once they select a location, it’s time for registration, team formation and ideation! Teams should choose one of three challenges under the theme of digitising green spaces:

1. Discover your city: design products, devices, services or environments that enable urban citizens to understand better their city and its green spaces. Concepts should support urban planning and real estate development and valuations, index green factors contributing to residential life, and promote ecological sustainability.
2. Staying fit and healthy: develop products, devices or services that enable city dwellers to stay active and keep their minds and bodies healthy. Concepts should map green spaces for outdoor activity, forecast air pollutants such as pollen, nitrogen oxide, or particulate matter, and understand and monitor UV exposure.
3. Protecting our rural areas: create products, devices, services or environments that promote the digitalisation of rural green spaces. Concepts should promote wildlife and ecosystem conservation, ensure healthy and resilient forests, and support the development of new green spaces and underdeveloped areas.

Register now

Determined innovators with a passion for developing sustainable solutions can register here today. Not a rocket scientist? No problem! This is every innovator’s chance to engage in the sector, even if it’s for the first time. The application process is easy: first, register, second choose a challenge, and finally log- in on 18-20 June to work on your project and leverage EU Space technologies to digitise our green spaces. Technical and business experts from EUSPA will be available all weekend to support and guide the teams in all 10 locations. On 20 June, Dafni Dimoudi, EUSPA’s Market Development Innovation Officer, will also present how EU Space technology can be applied to digitise our green spaces. 

And this: Time to roll up your sleeves: Galileo Masters 2021 now open!

Participating teams are not the only ones who can take advantage of the CASSINI Hackathons & Mentoring. Both organisers and mentors are needed! Interested individuals, organisations, companies and institutions are invited to apply to support the next generation of space-based entrepreneurs. Click on the links for information on how to get involved for mentors and organisers.

Become part of this exciting European initiative to promote EU Space technology and its many applications. Hack with a purpose and leverage EU Space data, services and signals to access, understand and protect our natural spaces. For more information, visit hackathons.cassini.eu.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

From the air we breathe to the water we drink and the land we grow our food on, our ecological footprint and means to minimise it are more in the focus than ever. Innovative technological solutions, including space-based applications, can help to prevent pollution and reduce its negative impacts: from agriculture to transport. To mark the European Green Week 2021, which runs from 31 May to 4 June, we look at some of the contributions that space is making to a greener future.

This year, the European Green Week is dedicated to the ‘zero pollution ambition’ and looks at relevant European Green Deal initiatives, such as the climate initiatives, the upcoming Chemicals Strategy and #FitFor55 as well as initiatives in the fields of energy, industry, mobility, agriculture, fisheries, health and biodiversity. In all of these areas, EU Space is making a positive contribution.

Synergies are key

While both Copernicus and EGNSS (Galileo and EGNOS) are making a major contribution to reducing pollution individually, it is by tapping into synergies between these components of the EU Space Programme that we can make the most significant impact on the green transition. 

Read this: Space synergies serving the environment

In agriculture, for example, farmers can combine information on crop health and soil moisture provided by Copernicus with positioning services from Galileo and EGNOS in precision agriculture applications to use water, fertilizers and other resources where they are needed most. It is estimated that until 2025, the combination of EGNSS and Earth Observation services can help save 1.5 million tonnes of fertiliser (up to 20% in savings for users) and 4,500 tonnes of pesticides (up to 25% in savings for users) in Europe. 

An example of where EO and EGNSS are delivering environmental benefits is the FaST digital service platform, promoting the generation and re-use of solutions for sustainable and competitive agriculture. Meanwhile, the EGNSS4CAP app digitises the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reporting procedures. For example, automatic monitoring procedures employ services from both, Copernicus and Galileo and thus reduce the number of On the Spot Checks (OTSC). 

Space and the Green Deal

The EU is tackling the environmental challenges that Europe faces with the implementation of the Green Deal, a guiding document that paves the way towards a sustainable European economy. The EU Green Deal sets concrete targets not only to protect the environment but also to build a greener economy that manages the Earth’s resources in a sustainable way. Space is a key element of this initiative, providing services that help Europe reduce and adapt to climate change and mitigate its effects.

Watch this: EUSPA Space for our Planet Challenge 

Real-time and forecast information provided by Copernicus and precise positioning and navigation powered by Galileo and EGNOS, make it possible to predict and optimize traffic, enable efficient placement and maintenance of renewable energy infrastructure, support smart electricity grids, improve urban planning, and support the sharing economy. In sectors like transportation, until 2025, the EU Space Programme will help to save 15 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions (equal to 3 Kg of CO₂ per year saved by every EU citizen) and 3.5 billion litres of fuel (equal to 4.5 years’ worth of total EU demand for refined petroleum) in Europe.

The EU Space Programme directly supports over 20 Green Deal actions and has already helped to drastically bring down CO2 emissions and greatly reduce the EU’s carbon footprint. By supporting solutions and applications in the sectors mentioned above, along with countless other services and applications, space will play an increasingly important role in helping the EU to achieve its sustainability goals, building a green and prosperous future for Europe.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).