Capability Toolkit
To develop a space-enabled product or solution, a wide array of diverse technologies, skills, and capabilities are needed.
Downstream
Space Capabilities
OPTICAL SATELLITE IMAGERY
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Optical imagery/sensors use visible light to capture images of the Earth's surface.
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Cameras on satellites take pictures of the Earth from space.
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Optical imagery is used for tasks like monitoring crops, visual environmental changes, tracking and planning for urban development, and observing natural disasters. It helps us see things like buildings, forests, and roads from space.
Optical imagery is great for capturing detailed, high-resolution images of the Earth's surface, but it can be limited by factors like cloud cover.
RADAR SATELLITE IMAGERY
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Radar imaging, also known as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), uses radar waves to create images of the Earth's surface.
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Radar pulses are sent from the satellite to the Earth's surface, they bounce off of objects on the Earth’s surface and return to the satellite where their reflections are used to create images.
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Unlike optical satellite imagery, SAR imagery can see through clouds and darkness, making it useful for mapping terrain, monitoring ice cover, and detecting changes in land use. It's also used in disaster response to see through smoke and debris.
SAR can be used in conjunction with optical imagery to provide a more complete picture, allowing for imaging in all weather conditions and during nighttime.
THERMAL INFRARED IMAGERY
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Thermal imagery measures the temperature/infrared radiation of objects on the Earth's surface.
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Sensors on satellites detect and measure the heat emitted by different objects. These measurements are then converted into digital images, representing the temperature distribution of the Earth's surface.
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Thermal imagery is used to monitor changes in temperature, such as monitoring weather changes, tracking wildfires, monitoring volcanic activity, and studying climate patterns. It can also be used in agriculture to assess crop health and water stress.
Thermal imagery provides unique information about temperature variations on the Earth's surface, complementing optical and SAR imagery in environmental monitoring.
POSITION, NAVIGATION & TIMING
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PNT systems use satellites to determine the precise location, velocity, and time anywhere on Earth. It helps us navigate accurately and synchronise time globally using signals from satellite-based systems such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
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Satellites in orbit transmit signals to GPS receivers on the ground, which use the various signals to calculate/triangulate their position and synchronise their clocks.
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GPS/GNSS is used for navigation, mapping terrain, surveying land, creating geographic information systems (GIS) and timing synchronisation. It's essential for activities like driving with GPS, tracking shipments, and conducting scientific research.
It provides essential positioning information for coordinating activities on the ground, enhancing the effectiveness of EO imagery applications.
SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
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Satellite communications use satellites to transmit and relay data, voice, and video signals over long distances.
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Satellites in orbit relay signals between ground-based transmitters, receivers and other satellites, transmitting them to their intended destinations in Space and Earth.
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Satellite communications enable global connectivity, allowing us to make phone calls, send emails, watch TV, and access the internet from anywhere on Earth. It plays a crucial role in emergency communication and disaster response efforts, providing reliable communication for coordinating rescue operations.
Satellite communications facilitate the transmission of data collected from EO imagery and other sources, enabling real-time monitoring and analysis.
RADIO OCCULTATION
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Radio occultation measures changes in radio signals from satellites as they pass through the Earth's atmosphere for weather/climate monitoring and prediction.
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By analysing the bending and delay of these signals, it provides information on the atmosphere's temperature, humidity, and pressure profiles.
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Radio occultation data has various applications across weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and optimising/improving satellite navigation and positioning.
General Technology
Capabilities
DIGITAL PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT
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Digital platform development involves creating software applications or systems that allow users to interact, collaborate, or transact online. It includes designing and building platforms such as websites, mobile apps, and online portals for various purposes.
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Digital platforms allow for data visualisation, analysis, and collaboration. It enables users to access and interact with space data, such as satellite imagery and sensor data, for various applications, including environmental monitoring, disaster management, and urban planning.
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Digital platform development is commonly used for:
Creating web-based GIS/analysis platforms for mapping and monitoring.
Developing mobile apps for everyday users to access the information/date they need in real-time
Building online portals for sharing information with stakeholders, decision makers, and the public.
USER EXPERIENCE (UX) DESIGN
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UX design focuses on creating products and systems that are intuitive, easy to use, and user-friendly. It involves understanding user needs, preferences, and behaviours to design app interactions that enhance usability and satisfaction.
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UX ensures that users can easily access, understand, and interact with space-related information and applications. Not everybody is a data scientist; UX enhances the usability and effectiveness of digital platforms and tools, improving user engagement and decision-making.
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User experience design is commonly used for:
Creating user-friendly reports/dashboards for accessing and visualising data.
Improving the usability of mobile apps and web-based platforms for accessing information such as weather forecasts, environmental data, and satellite imagery.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
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AI involves the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving. It includes techniques such as machine learning (pattern recognition), natural language processing (ChatGPT), and computer vision (object identification).
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AI enables automated analysis, interpretation, and extraction of insights from space data. It enhances the efficiency and accuracy of data processing and decision-making, enabling users to extract valuable information and knowledge from large volumes of satellite imagery and sensor data.
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Artificial intelligence is commonly used for:
Automated classification and analysis of satellite imagery for land cover mapping, crop monitoring, and environmental monitoring.
Predictive modelling/forecasting of weather patterns and trends based on satellite data.
Natural language processing for extracting insights from text-based data sources, such as reports and scientific publications.
Additional Resources
Business
Capabilities
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
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Business development involves identifying opportunities and creating strategies for your business to grow. It includes activities such as market research, partnership building, and sales planning to expand the reach and impact of a company's products or services.
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Business development for space solutions enables companies to understand customer needs, assess market demand, and develop strategies to commercialise/make a profit from space technologies and services.
It’s essential for space companies to identify potential customers, secure funding, and establish partnerships with government agencies, industry organisations, and other stakeholders. It helps space companies navigate the complexities of the space industry and capitalise on emerging opportunities.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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Project management involves planning, organising, and overseeing the execution of projects to achieve specific goals and objectives. It includes tasks such as defining project scope, allocating resources, managing budgets, and coordinating team activities to ensure project success.
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Project management ensures that projects, even space projects, are completed on time, within budget, and according to specifications. It enables effective coordination and communication among team members, stakeholders, and partners, facilitating the delivery of high-quality solutions.
It’s critical for space companies to manage complex projects, such as technology development initiatives, satellite launches, and even space missions. It helps space companies mitigate risks, streamline workflows, and achieve project milestones efficiently.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
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Financial management involves managing an organisation's finances to achieve financial goals and objectives. It includes tasks such as budgeting, financial planning, financial reporting, and risk management to ensure financial health and sustainability.
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Financial management effectively allocates resources, manages costs, and maximises return on investment (ROI). It enables space companies to make informed financial decisions, secure funding, and achieve financial stability and growth.
Space companies need to be able to fund research and development efforts, finance missions and projects, and generate revenue from commercial activities. Financial Management helps them manage cash flow, mitigate financial risks, and comply with regulatory requirements.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
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Marketing and communications involve promoting products, services, and brands to target audiences through various channels and mediums. It includes activities such as market research, advertising, public relations, and social media engagement to build awareness, generate interest, and drive engagement.
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Marketing and communications raise awareness of space products and services, educate stakeholders, and build relationships with customers and partners. It enables space companies to communicate their value proposition (unique offering), differentiate themselves from competitors, and attract customers and investors.
Space companies need to be able to promote solutions, attract customers, and secure funding for projects. These activities help create demand for space-related products and services.