As earth observation data and satellite imagery becomes more accessible with the miniaturisation and commoditisation of satellite components, as well as the addition of new launch locations – we will soon have two in the UK – it offers new opportunities to create new solutions.
Gravity Challenge is a global innovation programme that aims to inspire the development of creative solutions to grand challenges. It is facilitating access to satellite data, supporting its usage and offering the chance to work with potential end-users.
Following the success of its agri-hackathons, Agri-TechE has been approached by Deloitte to set one of the challenges for the Gravity Challenge: Adopting Space Technologies Down on Earth. It is setting a challenge around the role of space technologies in helping agriculture reach net zero greenhouse emissions.
Earth observation data for supporting net zero ambitions
Dr Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-TechE comments: “We’re really excited by the potential for inspiration and innovation from the space sector to accept the challenge of helping agriculture reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions. This is a huge global challenge and one which will need technologies and thinking from different sectors to tackle effectively.
“Existing technologies such as GPS and earth observation are routinely deployed and have already transformed agriculture, such as autosteering, precision application of inputs, and weather forecasting and modelling to maximise productivity and allow farmers unprecedented attention to detail.
“New innovations that overcome issues of cloud cover are providing more accurate insights into crop productivity enabling yield predictions and supply chain modelling to reduce waste and increase efficiency.
“This challenge will hopefully inspire experts from different disciplines to get creative about the way space-tech and agriculture can work together to reduce the global greenhouse gas emission from the industry.”
Unique opportunity
The Gravity Challenge is bringing together Challengers (businesses, government agencies and universities) and Innovators (start-ups, entrepreneurs and SMEs) to collaborate and create solutions to some of society’s biggest challenges. It is supported by AWS (Amazon Web Services) and Deloitte.
AWS is providing access to over 30 datasets relevant to earth observation and satellite imagery, including imagery taken by NASA and ESA operated satellites, Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 via cloud technologies.
Sophie Lonergan of Deloitte MCS Limited comments that there is a “unique opportunity” is to use this earth observation data with support from AWS who are the primary technology partner of Gravity Challenge.
“Participants will gain AWS credits and expertise during the POC phase. In addition each challenge will be reviewed with Gravity Challenge data partners such as Maxar for suitability of provision of data during the POC period, ” she says.
“The Challenge will take place on a global scale, inviting participants from UK and Australia to work together to create new solutions, regardless of geographic location. “
The Gravity Challenge
Gravity Challenge is an innovation program exploring new uses for satellite data and space sector technology. This includes earth observation data, positioning data, communications and other forms of space technology.
The program will run around a new, nine-month concurrent structure, split into three phases, each 12 weeks long:
Phase 1 – Challenges (Challengers and Innovators recruited and Challenges set)
Phase 2 – Innovate (Innovators work to develop solutions, collaborating with Challengers)
Phase 3 – Pilot (Ongoing support and mentoring to commercialise the solutions)
Organisations are invited to identify ‘challenges’ that could be addressed with earth observation data, the commitment is to present the challenge and provide a mentor and attend a challenge session.
The focus for the challenge set by Agri-TechE will be on the role of space technologies in helping agriculture reach net zero greenhouse emissions.
Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-TechE, says: “We’re really excited by the potential for inspiration and innovation from the space sector to accept the challenge of helping agriculture reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions. This is a huge global challenge and one which will need technologies and thinking from different sectors to tackle effectively. Existing technologies such as GPS and earth observation are routinely deployed and have already transformed agriculture, such as autosteering, precision application of inputs, and weather forecasting and modelling to maximise productivity and allow farmers unprecedented attention to detail. New innovations that overcome issues of cloud cover are providing more accurate insights into crop productivity enabling yield predictions and supply chain modelling to reduce waste and increase efficiency.
“This challenge will hopefully inspire experts from different disciplines to get creative about the way space-tech and agriculture can work together to reduce the global greenhouse gas emission from the industry.”
Benefits for the Challengers and Innovators
Participation in Gravity provides mutual benefits for both Challengers and Innovators.
Challengers gain an opportunity to:
- Understand how the space sector is relevant to their organisation
- Gain access to a broad network of innovators from the space industry
- Implement rapid research and development through the challenge programme
- Gain opportunities to collaborate with other organisations with similar challenges
- The opportunity to mentor participants and host an industry masterclass
- Opportunities for promotion and brand association with an innovative and unique challenge – the first of its kind globally
There is no cost for the Challengers to participate but they must agree they make executive support available to scope the pilot and mentor the Innovators.
Innovators gain an opportunity to:
- Pitch to create solutions to challenges
- Access and collaborate with key players in the space ecosystem, and develop a pilot solution for which they retain the intellectual property
- Potential for commercialisation with the support of the Challenger as appropriate
Pitch to Play event
The Pitch to Play event kicks off the Innovate Phase of the Gravity Challenge.
Innovators will pitch their solution to a Panel of Judges, who will shortlist the most innovative solutions, before selecting the best Innovators to progress to the next phase of Gravity Challenge: the Pilot Phase.Get involved Businesses, organisations and innovators wanting to rise to the
Get involved
Challenge should get in touch with Agri-TechE in the first instance to register their interest and we’ll take it from there!
Deadline
Challenger participation needs to be confirmed by end of July – more details are available at gravitychallenge.space
For more information get in touch: info@agri-tech-e.co.uk.