Horizon Scanning the Satellite Sensor Market: Aligning Emerging Technical Capabilities with the Goldrush in Sustainability Data Products
Marketing
Jean Joy1 -EO Consultant, Liz Scott2– Geospatial Solutions Architect, Geospatial Intelligence Team at the Satellite Applications Catapult
Introduction
This poster presents the findings of a horizon scanning project that assessed the emerging and future landscape of satellite sensors in orbit. The focus is on their potential to collect data that product developers can use to tackle critical environmental challenges. The study examines the growing number of commercial satellite sensors from the UK and Europe, alongside government missions, to identify opportunities for downstream innovation in data products and services and highlight market gaps.
New environmental regulations, such as those from the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), along with developments in the sustainable finance sector, are creating favourable conditions for new data products to enter the market. Downstream from satellite technology, data product creators are already developing services for end users, many of whom may not realise that the insights they are receiving are derived from space. Historically, users have needed some level of geospatial or data interpretation expertise to understand and navigate web mapping platforms. While these platforms still hold value, Earth Observation data can now be integrated into dashboards and reports that are accessible to a broader range of end users.
Our analysis categorises satellite sensors into four types: Hyperspectral, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Thermal, and Emission Detection. Through this classification, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the evolving satellite sensor market can contribute to global sustainability priorities by creating new opportunities for innovation in downstream data products and services.
Significant advancements in new satellites and sensors in space are expected in the next five years, from 2025 to 2030. A desktop research study has been conducted to compile a list of satellite sensors and the use cases or data products they can generate, along with insights and information from industry experts.
Conclusion
With the rapid emergence of advanced hyperspectral, SAR, thermal, and emission detection sensors, the Earth Observation sector is set to substantially enhance its role in supporting global sustainability initiatives. The coming five years could witness a significant increase in sensor capabilities, particularly in the thermal domain, which could greatly expand the scope and precision of environmental monitoring and risk assessment.
This presents immediate and compelling opportunities for both start-ups and established commercial companies to secure first-mover advantages by developing innovative data products tailored to emerging market demands, such as those driven by Biodiversity Net Gain regulations in England.
There is considerable potential for creating highly customised solutions to serve diverse end-users—including asset managers, local authorities, construction companies, and ecologists—each seeking targeted insights from the same underlying data but presented according to their specific requirements. While existing products based on coarser-resolution data have already begun to prepare market expectations, the imminent arrival of sensors offering finer spatial detail, increased temporal frequency, and enhanced spectral resolution will catalyse a significant influx of sophisticated, user-centric data products.
Before proceeding with the download, please note that this asset was created by Satellite Applications Catapult. Please ensure appropriate credit is given to Satellite Applications Catapult as the creator and rights holder when using, sharing or distributing it.
