The Space Technology Innovation Masterclasses for Earth Observation (EO) was hosted in partnership with the UK Space Agency and the Satellite Applications Catapult. The focus of the masterclass was to help public sector stakeholders explore the value and potential of Earth Observation, for example, how data can be used to address their specific challenges, how to select what type of data is best for their needs and how to assess different implementation strategies.
Four use cases were explored: coal tip safety, flood risk management, invasive non-native species (INNS), and upland fire risk. Seventeen participants attended representing organisations such as Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cardiff Council, Environment Platform Wales, Mining Remediation Authority, Natural Resources Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (RCT CBC), Torfaen County Borough Council and Welsh Government.
They emphasised the need for up-to-date data following storm events, reliable monitoring of groundwater changes, and overlaying water catchment information to pinpoint hydrological risks. For flood management, real-time flood levels and catchment-scale land use data are crucial to influencing decisions and encouraging serious consideration of flood threats. Landowners grappling with invasive species called for reliable methods to track how effective treatments are, while those addressing upland fires highlighted the need to measure restoration efforts accurately.
As participants progressed through the day, several opportunities for implementation were identified, including the need for better collaboration between authorities and more effective use of existing data. Many organisations expressed a strong desire to further explore Earth Observation (EO) opportunities, with plans to share insights with groups such as the Coal Tip Safety Group and to seek additional support from the Welsh Government. There is a clear recognition that unlocking the full potential of EO technology will require sustained resources and cross-sector partnerships, and if funding becomes available, organisations are eager to collaborate towards these common goals. Additionally, the Satellite Applications Catapult is compiling a report on the masterclass, which will be circulated to all attendees to facilitate further exploration of these opportunities.