In the overall Satellite industry, Earth observation satellites are a small segment; however, they are emerging as an essential function for the global space economy. This is because the space programs of most of the developed geographies and emerging nations are more focused on Earth Observation Satellite missions.
In the earlier days, satellite pictures of the Earth were considered as iconic pictures or showpieces. However, times have changed and pictures of the Earth from satellites are acquired continuously and used as a powerful scientific tool for enhancing knowledge about activities related to the Earth.
For instance, an Earth observation satellite image provides information about air pollution across a continent, damage assessment of an area or region struck by an earthquake, or tsunami or forest fire. It also provides minute by minute information about a hurricane spread across 500 kilometers, from its eye to its outermost storm fronts; which ultimately help the metrological department to forecast the impact on the human race.
The Global Satellite-based Earth Observation Market has come a long way in the last decade, and is expected to witness rapid growth during the period 2013-2018 at a CAGR of 11.34 percent.
The timeline of the Global Satellite-based Earth Observation Market can be classified into four eras:
- Era of Initial HR Commercial Optical System
- Era of Consolidation in the US
- Era of Initial HR Commercial SAR System
- Era of VHR and VAS
The exhibit below shows the timeline of the Global Satellite-based Earth Observation market and an analysis of the corresponding features of every era mentioned above. It also shows the timeline of the changing value chain of the Global Satellite-based Earth Observation market over the years.
Today, the market is driven by several factors, three of which are listed below:
Increasing Number of Earth Observation Satellites Being Launched
The total number of Earth observation satellites operating across the globe was 121 by the end of 2013. According to the ESA and CEOS, seven earth observation satellite missions were launched by November 2013 and 30 more satellite missions for Earth observations are expected to launch between November 2013 and December 2014. In addition, 258 Earth observation satellite missions are expected to be launched during 2014-2029.
These satellites are mainly used for accessing data and satellite images pertaining to civil construction, weather forecast, climate, disasters, agriculture, and biodiversity. In addition, many Earth observation satellites and constellations are expected to be launched by government agencies during the forecast period. In addition, governments in developed nations such as the US are developing their space programs in collaboration with private enterprises that are producing earth observation applications.
For instance, the US government is providing satellite launch support to private Earth observation and satellite imagery providers. Therefore, the increasing adoption of Earth observation satellites by government organizations is one of the major drivers for the growth of the Global Satellite-based Earth Observation market during the forecast period.
Technological Advancements in Satellite Development and Imagery
The Global Satellite-based Earth Observation market has witnessed rapid advancements in the technologies used for high-resolution optical satellite imagery. Advanced image-enhancing technology, high-resolution cameras, and advanced remote sensing technology have drastically enhanced the quality of earth observation images. In addition, the development of smaller, cheaper, and more responsive spacecraft has increased the adoption of Earth observation data.
Technological developments have also helped reduce the cost of Earth observation satellite data. For instance, the current, average weight of an Earth observation satellite is one ton. In the next few years, the average weight of a satellite is expected to reduce to 650 kilograms. Therefore, technological advancements in Earth observation satellite development and imagery is expected to drive the growth of the Global Satellite-based Earth Observation market over the next few years.
Increasing Usage of Earth Observation Data for Ecosystem Monitoring
The usage of Earth observation data for monitoring the ecosystem has increased rapidly recently. This is because the Earth observation data and images provide unprecedented levels of information and a holistic view of the environment and resources available at national and international levels. The data helps countries to regularly monitor the Earth’s ecosystem and take long-term critical decisions based on the obtained information. In addition, regular monitoring of the rapid changes in the Earth’s crust and biosphere, climate changes, and biodiversity fluctuations help in integrated resource management across the globe. Therefore, the increasing use of Earth observation for monitoring the ecosystem is an emerging trend witnessed in the market.
