What are the more popular usages of satellite data imagery and how is this produced and consumed?

The most common applications which the public is familiar with are weather forecasting, communications and mapping applications for viewing and tracking different objects such as cars, buses and boats. However, satellites can be used to offer much more than this, such as monitoring of land, agriculture, sea, lakes, and the atmosphere.

A wide range of satellites are available with various instruments, such as the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and the MultiSpectral Instruments (MSI). Satellites using SAR technology can be used to show relative ground displacements or changes on land – in simpler terms this means plotting the surface of the earth and displaying changes over time or perhaps after a disaster such as earthquakes. Satellites using MSI technologies and sensors are useful for monitoring and studying vegetation, soil and water cover, inland waterways and coastal areas.

Other multi-instruments satellites which are available can be used to measure sea-surface topography, sea- and land-surface temperature, ocean colour and land colour with high-end accuracy and reliability.

Having said that, I have met software engineers abroad who are using satellite systems very creatively and are creating applications such as train rails checking systems, pipe-monitoring for oil and gas, monitoring the status of lakes, hurricane mapping, search and rescue in war zones and mountainous areas where there is limited access for observation, and monitoring and preserving the rich cultural and natural heritage of our planet.

Apart from the satellite systems which we are already using are there any other systems which could be beneficial if applied locally?

I could mention three systems which in my opinion are not only beneficial but it is worth investing into.

The first is agriculture monitoring. Satellite imagery can provide for mapping and observation of habitats, crops and trees, in relation to water usage. In the context of fresh water scarcity, the system could lead to a peaceful coexistence of fresh water supply and the agricultural sector in Malta and Gozo.

The main target of the proposed system is to get to a point where the big data available from the satellites is used to assist automated irrigators and indicate the best amount of water for each field for each crop, every day

Coastal monitoring is another potential benefit for Malta and Gozo, as one can monitor coastal and marine developments. A satellite image, reproduced, was taken in September 2016 and could clearly show points for further investigation. The ship going out of Valletta harbour is leaving a trail which is quite narrow and more than 15km long. One would ask whether this is a ship wake, an oil trail or something else. In this case software algorithms could be worked out which would indicate whether such trails contain oil or not. Furthermore, satellite imagery could provide for monitoring of atmospheric aerosols, which are created by volcanoes, desert dust or through the burning of coal and oil.

Apart from these applications, I am sure that other usages could also be applied locally and software engineers could be creative and come out with more innovative ideas.

What inspired you to pursue an interest in satellite data imagery?

In November 2015, I attended a conference organised by the Malta Council of Science and Technology, related to satellite solutions and how such satellite systems could be beneficial for small islands. Being a systems developer myself and a lecturer in software development and automation and control, it was only natural to attend such a conference and seek further information. The conference turned out to be a practical hands-on session on how such technology could be exploited. That was the kick start for my journey in satellite data imagery.

Vegetation in Gozo; data displayed for vegetation in mid-January 2016 and compared to mid-August 2016. Vegetation Index scale is shown at 0.6-0.7. Data taken from Sentinel 2 Satellite and plotted on a Google map.Vegetation in Gozo; data displayed for vegetation in mid-January 2016 and compared to mid-August 2016. Vegetation Index scale is shown at 0.6-0.7. Data taken from Sentinel 2 Satellite and plotted on a Google map.

In which areas have you specialised?

I am mainly focusing and specialising on satellite usage for the agricultural sector but am also working on other areas related to the maritime industry. I have been working on designing algorithms to work out the usage of the fields in Malta and to identify the crops which are harvested locally, on a national level. Patterns are to be worked out for different seasons from various fields.

Eventually, once the data will be collected, statistics could be calculated. Typical statistics could show the land usage in Malta, the types of crops which are harvested, the number of fields harvested, crops under stress and finally the weather influence on crops cycles.

Once this phase is finalised, I should then embark to the next phase of the study, that is to obtain estimates of water usage for each crop in different seasons.

What are the main benefits of applying satellite data imagery to agricultural usages?

Satellite systems offers the potential to observe the ongoing dynamics within the selected agricultural lands in a very detailed manner, on a weekly basis. The ability and knowhow to derive different measurements from satellite given data can therefore create potential applications and benefits. These include: the mapping and classification of crops; crop modelling and yield forecasting; crop health monitoring; pest and disease detection and management planning; and water management planning.

What are the main usages that you have proposed?

The proposed system aims to use satellite data and combine it with existing irrigation technologies and fertilisation systems to improve the water management usage and monitoring the growth of crops. Sometimes farmers during irrigation may exceed the amount of water needed for the optimum results, and hence it will result in water not being irrigated uniformly. If crops are given the amount of water needed, no more no less, yield could be improved. Local farmers tend to water more amounts than required, which will lead to excess of water usage when it rains.

The main target of the proposed system is to get to a point where the big data available from the satellites is used to assist automated irrigators and indicate the best amount of water for each field for each crop, every day.

All gathered data from satellite imagery in relation to the fields should than be kept for future comparisons, trends and analysis.

In what ways do such usages benefit both farmers and consumers?

There are plenty of benefits. First is the reduction of manual work. Recently, while discussing some ideas with a local farmer, he stated that he spends from 40 to 50 per cent of his working time irrigating and in summer he spends even more time. He further highlighted that he is constantly on the move to inspect crops in various fields located in different locations, because in farming it is critical to monitor all aspects of land.

Such systems can help farming operate in a more efficient manner. Satellite imagery offers access to high definition imaging of every inch of land on a weekly basis. This could help farmers to react to crop stress in a timely manner to protect yield as well as reduce physical movement between fields thus eliminating fuel costs and physical stress.

Another benefit is better decision making. Using satellites, historical trends and statistics, farmers will equip themselves with better decision making tools. Having such tools they will be in a better position to decide the best time to crop their products as to obtain the maximum yield.

While better management tools can increase yields, combining data with automated irrigation systems, and automated nutrition systems, will considerably reduce labour costs, thus managing time more effectively.

These advantages could be beneficial also for consumers and the market in general, who would gain more local fresh products, better flavour and of better quality than the products we import. If costs for farmers decrease, and yields increase during the crop season, products supply will increase and therefore prices will reduce. Farmers could potentially become more competitive when prices are compared to imported products.

Furthermore, once the whole system is applied at a national level, we can understand which crops are going to be scarce in the coming season, and also identify which crops are viable to be planted in Malta.

Satellite data shows that field was ploughed in late April 2016. Same field was planted during summer 2015 and the crops had few weeks left to reach maturity.Satellite data shows that field was ploughed in late April 2016. Same field was planted during summer 2015 and the crops had few weeks left to reach maturity.

What environmental benefits do such usages present?

The major benefit for such usage is the decrease of water use in irrigation. From the systems that I have installed I can say that more than 10 per cent reduction in water usage was observed and this was achieved with a minimal use of satellite data and only on selected crops. I am confident that when this study is completed, all data is in hand and the whole proposed system is in place, the percentage reduction in water usage will be more than double.

Another environment benefit is controlling the use of fertilisers, starting with the three main nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In conventional farming these fertilisers are applied over fields at certain times during the year. This leads to either over-application in some places or under-application in others. If over applied there is a cost to the environment, emitting nitrogen and phosphorus into ground and surface waters or to other areas of the field where they are not required. If under-applied this will come at the expense of the crop. Satellite data can help in this regard and display whether low amounts or high amounts of organic fertiliser was applied.

Other environment advantages are guaranteed if using such technologies, such as to trace products to fields and ultimately to farmers, monitor use of land within a national context, and auditing usage of water for various crops, thus leading to effective policy planning. Finally, a similar system could be adopted to trace trees at national level and develop national databases, for proper monitoring and policy planning.

In conclusion, combining satellite images with algorithms and physical technologies leads to what is known as precision agriculture or smart farming. This is becoming one of the most technologically involved industries. Regardless of where a person is in the world, there is free satellite imaging data available for everyone which gives equal chances to everybody to be more sustainable in agriculture. The benefits are huge if the potential of this technology is maximised, and range into various environmental and health sectors.

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