ESA evaluates data from Iceye, Planet and Spire Global

The European Space Agency announced plans July 29 to evaluate data from Iceye’s radar satellite constellation, Planet’s electro optical satellites and Spire Global’s weather, maritime- and aviation-tracking satellites to complement its own Earth observation constellation.
SpaceNews.com

                        SAN FRANCISCO – The European Space Agency is evaluating data from Iceye’s radar satellite constellation, Planet’s electro optical satellites and Spire Global’s weather, maritime- and aviation-tracking satellites.
ESA forges agreements to acquire, process and distribute data from dozens of commercial and government satellites, which it refers to as Third Party Missions, to complement data drawn from its own Earth observation satellites.
The Iceye, Planet and Spire missions “are considered as Third Party Missions under evaluation,” according to a July 29 ESA news release.
In late 2018, ESA announced the start of Earthnet Data Assessment Pilot, a campaign to make missions interoperable by supporting efforts to assess the quality of the data and conduct calibration and validation activities. The analysis of Iceye, Planet and Spire data will be performed as part of the Earthnet Data Assessment Pilot, according to the ESA announcement.
The designation “Third Party Mission under evaluation” also means people can begin investigating the utility of data from the Earth observation satellites for scientific or research and development activities will be able to submit requests through ESA.
“It will be key to increase knowledge about the data quality of these constellations and to foster data interoperability,” Giuseppe Ottavianelli, Earthnet program manager, said in a statement. “The activity will also raise awareness about the potential for scientific studies and new Earth observation applications.”
Rafal Modrzewski, Iceye CEO and co-founder, said in a statement, that ESA’s consideration of Iceye’s synthetic aperture radar satellites as a Third Party Mission “will ultimately result in Iceye data being more widely in use.” The Earthnet Data Assessment Pilot “helps organisations gain access to timely and reliable information, which we’re here to provide,” Modrzewski added.
SpaceNews.com

Source: ESA evaluates data from Iceye, Planet and Spire Global