Who controls the planet’s data? The race for Earth observation satellites

Unequal access to critical data is leaving vulnerable communities behind

The number of Earth observation satellites in orbit has surged over the past decade. AFP

The race to dominate the skies with Earth observation satellites is accelerating, promising transformative solutions for climate change, disaster response and food security.

As wealthier nations and private companies deploy satellites each year, there are critical questions: who truly controls the planet’s data, and how can it fairly be shared with the world’s most vulnerable communities?

In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, many rural farming communities lack access to satellite data that could help monitor soil health, predict droughts and improve crop yields.

The global Earth observation (EO) market was valued at $7.7 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $14.1 billion by 2030, according to Indian research company Spherical Insights.

Experts warn that without international frameworks for collaboration, the benefits of EO technology risk falling into the hands of a few powerful players, excluding billions of people.

“Think of it as building a global ‘open library’ of satellite data,” Sahith Reddy Madara, an aerospace engineer and founder of Paris-based advisory firm Bumi and Space, told The National. “Governments can set up international agreements to ensure private companies share a baseline of essential imagery.

“For instance, a consortium that includes the African Union, European Commission and Nasa might negotiate incentives like fast-tracked launch approvals or tax breaks for commercial operators who release certain data sets to the public.”

Role of research institutions

Access to satellite data alone is not enough, however, as communities need the skills and tools to make sense of it. Research institutions help in transforming complex data sets into insights, such as maps, local-language updates and SMS-based warning systems.

In Bangladesh, for example, open-access data sets are used for prediction and to map flood-prone areas, helping communities evacuate before disasters strike. Agencies such as Nasa, the United Nations and local non-profit organisations process raw satellite data into user-friendly flood models and warning systems.

“Raw data alone doesn’t help if you’re a farmer in Zimbabwe or a teacher in Bolivia with limited bandwidth,” said Mr Madara. He recommends the creation of a global fund supported by wealthy nations and philanthropic groups.

“This ensures that a small farmer in Zimbabwe or coastal communities in the Philippines can access vital environmental and disaster information, no matter who owns the satellites,” he said. “Ultimately, it’s a shared effort: policy frameworks that open data gates, local know-how that makes the data useful and financial backing to keep it all running.”

Growing divide

The number of EO satellites in orbit has surged over the past decade, driven by falling launch costs and the production of smaller satellites, such as nanosatellites.

In 2023, 1,192 EO satellites were operational, with dominant players including the US, China and private companies such as Planet Labs and Maxar. These satellites deliver high-resolution imagery critical for applications ranging from monitoring deforestation to assessing disaster damage.

Much of this data, however, remains under the control of wealthier nations and companies. Developing nations often rely on free resources such as Europe’s Copernicus initiative, which provides open-access data from its Sentinel satellites. But this access pales in comparison to the high-resolution, real-time imagery available to those who can afford it.

“We need to encourage the development and dissemination of open-source and openly licensed Earth observation data,” said Dr Sarath Raj, project director of Amity University Dubai’s satellite ground station. “This empowers local researchers, policymakers and communities to utilise data for their specific needs, fostering independent analysis and informed decision-making.”

Regional hubs

Dr Raj said that there was also a need for capacity-building programmes to equip local experts with the skills to collect, process and interpret EO data. This could help reduce dependency on large corporations and help communities develop their own solutions.

“We also need to establish regional data hubs that act as centralised repositories for Earth observation data,” he said. “These hubs can facilitate data sharing, provide technical support and promote collaboration among researchers and institutions across the region.”