CASSINI: A launch pad for space-based climate solutions
EU Space technology is having a big impact on the environment, especially in the fight against climate change.
Earth Observation plays a particularly important role, with EO data driving policy decisions, enabling accurate climate modelling, and improving our understanding of the impact climate change will have on such essential ecosystems as waterways and forests.
Accelerating the integration of Earth Observation data into innovative climate solutions is CASSINI, the European Commission’s initiative geared to supporting entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs developing innovative applications and services that leverage the EU Space Programme.
Through its hackathons, matchmaking, challenges and business accelerator, CASSINI has provided financial and business support to almost 600 companies from all European Union countries, many of whom have gone on to develop some pretty amazing space-based climate solutions.
Take for example vorteX-io, a French start-up specialising in large-scale hydrological monitoring services.
According to the company, climate change and the extreme weather events it causes has exposed 11% of the European population to the risk of flooding, while one-third of the EU area faces water stress. As this risk continues to increase, decision-makers will require efficient tools to both understand and sustainably manage water resources.
VorteX-io’s innovative technology answers this challenge by using satellite altimetry techniques and Earth Observation data to precisely measure such key hydrological parameters as water level and surface velocity in real time. The data is then analysed and used to issue risk notifications, optimise water management process, provide infrastructure security, and anticipate agricultural and industrial needs.
“Our aim is to provide decision-makers with strategic tools and services that will enable them to improve their water management and better forecast extreme weather phenomena such as droughts and floods, which are major challenges for the safety and resilience of many EU countries,” says vorteX-io founder and CEO Jean-Christophe Poissonco.
After participating in CASSINI Matchmaking, an initiative that connects startups, scale-ups and SMEs with corporates and investors, vorteX-io announced that it had secured EUR 2.9 million in capital. The company will use the investment to accelerate the deployment of its micro-station network, which is essential to guaranteeing the centimetre level accuracy of its measured hydrological parameters.
Speaking of acceleration, vorteX-io was recently selected to join the third batch of the CASSINI Business Accelerator.
Over the course of a six-month period, the company will gain access to cutting-edge space technologies and space experts, including those from EUSPA. They will also be able to connect with investors, strategic partners and other innovative startups to strengthen its business network.
“We thank EUSPA for this precious opportunity to benefit from their exceptional supervision, support and expertise, which will allow us to take vorteX-io to new heights,” adds Poissonco.
Detecting and monitoring wildfires with space technology
Another CASSINI Matchmaking alum making headlines is OroraTech, a German thermal data intelligence company known for its industry-leading Wildfire Solution.
By combining satellite images provided by Copernicus with thermal infrared data, the OroraTech Wildfire Solution enables stakeholders around the world to better detect and monitor wildfires – a disaster that, because of climate change, is happening with increasing frequency and ferocity.
“With space technologies, we can provide real-time data on the location, extent and behaviour of fires, information that can improve fire management and response efforts,” says Liene Lapsevska, head of PR & Communications at OroraTech.
The company’s technology significantly reduces fire detection time while also offering substantial cost savings over traditional fire detection methods like aircraft surveillance. Furthermore, its on-orbit processing capabilities allows customers to receive data from anywhere in the world just minutes after the satellite passes over the affected area.
The OroraTech Wildfire Solution is currently used to monitor more than 160 million hectares of forest around the globe, including in Greece – a country where wildfires have affected approximately 2% of its total land area.
Greece recently announced that it has chosen OroraTech to deliver a comprehensive, country-wide wildfire management system that will include ground systems, processing services and a constellation of thermal imaging satellites.
“By investing specifically into orbital technology, we are making a real difference in monitoring wildfires that threaten human lives, our ecosystems and our economy,” says Greek Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou.
OroraTech’s data services will be directly connected to the Greek emergency services and employ the expertise of various Greek universities and businesses. The company also plans to significantly invest in Greece over the coming years by opening an operations hub in Athens for its entire fleet of space sensors and creating a development team dedicated to advanced infrared sensing technology.
“This is a case study in how investing in EU Space directly benefits Member States, local businesses and citizens, all while addressing such pan-European challenges as climate change and supporting EU initiatives like the Green Deal,” says EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa.
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