BalticSatApps

The Interreg project BalticSatApps improved the usability of satellite data provided by the European Copernicus Programme and ensured its further integration in decision-making to trigger innovation in the Baltic Sea region.

The opportunity

Since 2014, the satellites and sensors of the European Copernicus programme have delivered Earth observation data free of charge to anyone. Development of scientific infrastructure as satellites, receiving stations and data centers, and Earth Observation (OB) services requested huge investments in terms of EU funds and research. Despite many efforts, a significant number of EO services was still underused as a result of infrastructure gaps and poor guaranteers on long-term service availability.

The wealth of data holds tremendous potential for new services in the environment, transport, energy and other sectors. Many commercial entities in the Baltic Sea region, especially small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) could offer new services or enhance their existing services if they could use Earth Observation (EO) data. The entrepreneurs needed clarity and support in developing new business models and services based on the use of EO data. This data covered air quality, the ozone layer, emissions, solar radiation, marine safety, urban planning, and forest management.

BalticSatApps intended to increase awareness about the usability of data provided by the European Copernicus Programme, improve access to EU-based satellite data, and stimulate demand and innovation through co-creation and iterative development methodologies.

Budgets

BalticSatApps
in numbers

2.85

Million

Total
1.85

Million

Erdf
0.43

Million

Eni + Russia
0.00

Million

Norway

Achievements

Acceleration programme launched

In order to increase awareness about the data provided by the European Copernicus Programme, BalticSatApps organised a series of educational events and an acceleration programme to increase interest and facilitate the use of Earth Observation (EO) in business. Running the BalticSatApps acceleration programme has provided an excellent opportunity to network with start-ups and EO experts from the Baltic Sea region. The programme has contributed to the founding of ten new start-ups in Estonia, Finland and Poland, and supported them to commercialise the satellite data. The new start-ups operate in areas such as urban planning, agriculture, and drones.

New interface allows new possibilities

BalticSatApps developed a Russian interface for Copernicus data. The Interface integrates Copernicus and Russian satellite data sources, and it is possible for anyone to test it with the help of the instructions provided by the project.

The interface contains a catalogue of remote sensing data. It helps to organise the order and access to the data provided by the European Copernicus Programme and Russian satellites. By combining Copernicus and Russian satellite data, the project provided better conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises giving services in territory monitoring and management. The operators dealing with territory monitoring and management got access to up-to-date and real-time spatial data for accurate decision-making.

The Interreg project BalticSatApps used EUR 2.69 million to improve access to valuable satellite data, unveiled the tremendous potential of Earth Observation data, provided technical and business knowledge, and supported businesses in the Baltic Sea region.

Outputs

Data2Information kit

The BalticSatApps Data2Information Kit is an information package designed to improve the comprehension of Copernicus Earth Observation (EO) data and present the basics on how data users can benefit from them. The Data2Information Kit documents user needs, capabilities, offered services and success stories demonstrating applicability of Copernicus data. Based on users’ needs, valuable solutions linked to remote sensing data and free-of-charge Copernicus services are shown with open access to the users. It concludes with a step-by-step guide of transforming Copernicus data into information requested mainly by users.

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Catalogue of innovative Earth Observation services

The catalogue contains a compilation of innovative services based in the Baltic Sea region, focusing mainly on Estonia, Finland, Poland, Russia, and Sweden. It presents development areas lacking in EO-based solutions on the Baltic Sea region market, but having potential. The catalogue presents various features of each service, including name of service, service provider, operational status, type of provider (public/private), cost of service, coverage, spatial resolution, contact details, usage instructions, in brief, background information, screenshots, license type, application domains, and use cases.

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Cookbook of organising EO hackathons and iterative development of service ideas

The manual, a so-called “cookbook”, provides guidance on how to organise innovation competitions and hackathons within the Earth Observation (EO) thematical area. The cookbook focuses on the iterative development process, based on which ideas and needs are systematically combined with skilled solution area experts and developers equipped with appropriate tools and data. It is analysed if and how reapplying the previous (i.e., iterating) outcomes can bring the result closer to an effective and self-sustained process. The publication covers items to be taken into account prior to the events, the types of events, and issues that need considering afterward. Sections refer to one another to highlight iterative dependencies and possibilities.

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BalticSatApps Acceleration Programme: Overview and Analysis

The report provides an overview of BalticSatApps Acceleration Programme activities in Estonia, Finland, and Poland within the BalticSatApps project. The activities were primarily carried out and led by the three science and technology parks (STPs) involved in the project: Tartu Science Park (Estonia), Turku Science Park Ltd (Finland), and Kracow Technology Park (Poland). The report gives first-hand information about essential success factors, such as application phase and selection criteria, participating teams, key mentors, Acceleration Programme implementations, and follow-up actions in Estonia, Finland, and Poland. It also makes notions on challenges encountered during the Programme, and introduces possible improvements for similar activities in the future.

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Project Stories

22.02.2021

BalticSatApps paved the way for Earth Observation-based innovations in the region

The Interreg project BalticSatApps successfully improved access to EU-based satellite data for entrepreneurs and helped drive new businesses in the Baltic Sea region. Thanks to EU funding, people with smart ideas received support that enables them to further shape our region into a better place to live and work in.
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