Exploring the Potential for the Use of Satellite-Based Technology in Emerging Countries
- Paper number
IAC-07-B4.1.03
- Author
Ms. Danielle Adams, Massachussets Institute of Technology (MIT), United States
- Year
2007
- Abstract
This research examines the conditions under which satellite-based technologies (SBTs) provide meaningful solutions for needs in developing countries. It develops a methodology for choosing which SBT options are most suited to a given situation. Example applications of SBTs in developing countries include the following: 1) communication; 2) natural disaster warnings; 3) ecosystem monitoring, 4) tele-medicine, and 5) distance education. The topic of satellite technology in developing countries receives attention from international organizations such as the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Their Program on Space Applications is concerned with assisting developing countries in using space technology such as remote sensing. Also notable is the Surrey Satellite Technology (SST) company in England, which has sold satellites to many countries that were entering space for the first time. Another model to consider is the work of Daniel Irwin and NASA’s SERVIR Project. Irwin works with 8 countries in Central America to ensure that they have access to NASA satellite data online. The countries are using this data to better manage their ecosystems. While many anecdotal success stories have been told, this new work provides a more analytical review of the state of this field. This research includes two major sections. The first section is an analysis of the current use of satellite-based technologies in developing countries. We define hypotheses regarding the factors that lead to successful use of SBTs and gather data from current examples to test these hypotheses. We further use statistical methods to analyze the data and draw conclusions about best practices. In the second section, we devise a method for analyzing new opportunities to use SBTs in developing countries. We create an analysis framework that uses information about a country as an input, and outputs a suggested set of appropriate satellite technology options. The framework includes constraints based on technical capacity, policy, economic, and infrastructure factors, and permits different options to be evaluated and compared. The conclusions of this project provide new insight on the opportunities for developing countries to feasibly take advantage of satellite-based technology.
- Abstract document