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Harnessing Space Data for Decision-Making

  • Sabrina S. Perdigao
  • Sep 26
  • 3 min read

Space is no longer just about rockets and exploration. Increasingly, it is about Earth. A growing “space-for-Earth economy” is transforming the way governments, businesses and communities use satellite insights to make smarter choices. From disaster response to supply chain management, Earth observation (EO) data is powering a new era of data-driven decision-making.


Harnessing Space Data for Decision-Making
Image credits: Gim-international.com

Why space matters on Earth

Every day, satellites scan the planet’s surface, recording changes in land, water, forests and cities. This constant stream of data is not just an academic exercise, it directly impacts operational efficiency, risk management and long-term sustainability. For city planners, it means tracking urban sprawl to design resilient infrastructure. For humanitarian agencies, it means predicting floods and preparing communities before disaster strikes. For companies, it means monitoring supply chains, anticipating disruptions and allocating resources more effectively. In short, space data helps decision-makers replace guesswork with evidence.


Tangible demonstration: Stopping illegal logging in the Amazon

Consider the case of Global Forest Watch (GFW), an initiative of the World Resources Institute. Using satellite imagery, GFW issues near real-time alerts when deforestation is detected in the Amazon basin. Instead of waiting for field reports that may arrive too late, governments and NGOs can see where forests are being cleared within days. This speed matters. Local authorities can deploy rangers to investigate, NGOs can target conservation funds where they are needed most, and communities can respond before damage spreads. In practice, EO data turns a global challenge such as illegal logging into a problem that can be tracked and tackled in near real-time.


Building resilience through foresight

The Amazon is just one example. Globally, EO data is boosting resilience across multiple sectors:

  • Disaster management: Satellites detect hurricanes, wildfires and floods before they hit, providing precious time to prepare. After disasters, they support rapid damage assessments, helping relief agencies allocate resources more efficiently.

  • Urban development: Land-use mapping ensures that new construction avoids floodplains or unstable ground, reducing long-term risks.

  • Supply chains: Monitoring climate impacts on transport routes or agricultural zones helps businesses adapt before disruptions cascade.

The common thread is foresight. With satellite data, decision-makers gain not just a snapshot of the present but a forecast of what is likely to come.


Harnessing Space Data for Decision-Making
Image credits: ESA.int
From raw pixels to real change-making insights

Collecting images from space is only the first step. The true value lies in transforming raw data into insights people can act on. Advances in cloud computing, artificial intelligence and open data platforms are making this easier. Today, an environmental officer does not need to be a satellite expert. Platforms like GFW translate imagery into simple alerts. Likewise, humanitarian responders can access ready-to-use maps showing which bridges are washed out after a flood. The democratization of EO data ensures it is not just scientists and space agencies who benefit, but farmers, mayors, teachers and citizens.


The future of the space-for-Earth economy

As satellites become smaller, cheaper and more numerous, the potential grows. We are moving toward a world where Earth observation is continuous, high-resolution and near real-time. For decision-makers, this means unprecedented visibility of the systems they manage. But it also demands collaboration. To unlock the full potential of space data, governments, private industry, research institutions and local communities must work together. The technology is only as powerful as the decisions it informs.


Whether monitoring deforestation in the Amazon, preparing for the next hurricane or planning tomorrow’s cities, Earth observation is already shaping decisions that affect millions of lives. The more effectively we use it, the closer we come to building a resilient, sustainable and equitable future here on Earth.


Yours truly,

Sabrina Sequeira-Perdigão

COO, Executive Team

References

(n.d.). Global Forest Watch: Forest Monitoring, Land Use & Deforestation Trends. Retrieved September 20, 2025, from https://www.globalforestwatch.org 


Saving lives from space: How Earth observation satellites aid disaster response. (2025, September 9).


USE CASE 3: REAL-TIME MONITORING OF THE ENVIRONMENT. (n.d.). UNDP Accelerator Labs. https://www.undp.org/acceleratorlabs/smarter-together/use-case-3-real-time-monitoring-environment


The Washington Post. (2025, April 29). Satellite launches on mission to 'weigh' the world's forests. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/04/29/satellite-biomass-space-forest-trees/


 
 
 
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