Observing The Earth From Space – A Patent Overview

One of the areas of technology that is perhaps less commonly discussed in the context of climate change is that of remote sensing using satellites in space. This type of sensing is referred to as remote space-borne sensing and describes the use of sensors mounted onboard satellites and other spacecraft. These sensors can be used to provide images of the Earth for research and other purposes, including weather and defence. Of increasing interest is the use of space-borne sensing for green applications as we seek to further understand how to tackle a variety of environmental challenges. The use of satellites enables a larger region of the Earth to be covered and can provide a unique way of assessing trends on a macro scale. In recent years, increasing numbers of remote space-borne sensing programmes have been launched, including Copernicus in Europe and Landsat in the US, which provide open-access to data, enabling increased levels of innovation.