Towards disruptions in Earth observation? New Earth Observation systems and markets evolution: possible scenarios and impacts
- Paper number
IAC-16,B1,2,3,x33537
- Coauthor
Mr. Gil DENIS, Airbus Defence and Space, France
- Coauthor
Mr. Alain Claverie, Airbus Defence & Space, France
- Coauthor
Mr. Xavier Pasco, Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique, France
- Coauthor
Dr. Jean-Pierre Darnis, Istituto Affari Internazionali, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Benoît De Maupeou d'Ableiges, Airbus Defence & Space, France
- Coauthor
Mrs. Murielle Lafaye, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France
- Coauthor
Mr. Eric Morel, Airbus Defence and Space (DS), France
- Year
2016
- Abstract
Earth observation systems for the most critical institutional needs are mainly dedicated assets owned and operated by governments or public organisations, often at national level. Even in the case of dual use missions, the governemental and commercial operations are in general fully segregated for the very high resolution satellites. Recent evolutions could affect this paradigm. Firstly, the increased performance of commercial satellites has a high degree of convergence with the defence needs: 25-30 cm resolution is now the benchmark or at least a very short term target for the commercial missions. The second evolution is the development of hybrid procurement schemes, combining proprietary missions and data buy framework contracts, partly triggered by the budgetary constraints of public customers. New space is another trend, more disruptive. Started in the Silicon Valley and spreading worldwide, it arouses sometimes excessive expectations. This new model involves not only start-ups but also large actors of the web sphere with a huge investment capacity. Both aim at transforming space as a commodity. Beside the massive constellations for broadband Internet access, some initiatives have been launched for Earth observation markets, targeting very high resolution and high revisit. Last but not least, more and more countries, the newcomers, invest in their own EO capacity, confirming the soft power dimension of space but also opening new opportunities for international or regional cooperation. After a short presentation of the existing models, the paper proposes a critical review of new or future initiatives, addressing both commercial and institutional markets. New concepts for the very high resolution markets, in Europe and in the US, are the main focus of this analysis. Two complementary perspectives are summarised: on the one hand, the system architecture and the operational performance and, on the other, the related business models, concepts of operation and ownership schemes. The last part of the paper has a prospective dimension. It discusses the feasibility of possible scenrios and identifies their impacts on the EO landscapte and the main stakeholders involved: \begin{itemize}\item The governmental and institutional actors, using Earth observation data for their operational missions, with an evolving balance between patrimonial assets and external services.\end{itemize} \begin{itemize}\item The commercial operators of very high resolution satellites, with the new market opportunities and the possible emergence of worldwide champions.\end{itemize} \begin{itemize}\item The satellite manufacturers and their competitiveness.\end{itemize} \begin{itemize}\item The role of nations and space agencies, including the non dependence or national sovereignty and international cooperation dimensions.\end{itemize}- Abstract document
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