Satellite and the city 

Date 16.3.2021

How can we use the space-tech for our vibrant city life? Well, we do that on an everyday basis. We use satellite navigation to find the nearest ATM, and we use satellite time to stamp the transaction while we withdraw the money. Before we get an Uber, we double-check the weather forecast to decide whether we should bring the sweatshirt. And when the driver’s real-time position is close enough, we know it’s time to slip in our sneakers – shoes made by “blow rubber molding” – a technique first used to create astronaut’s clothing.

 

European Space Agency Business Incubator (ESA BIC) in the Czech Republic scouts for such projects; startups that re-purpose space technologies to improve our lives on Earth.

Space technologies make our city-life comfortable, and they can also help to make it safe.  Due to global warming, weather conditions shift to extremes – heat waves, summer droughts, and flash floods are getting more common. Company World from Space specializes in satellite data analysis and helps European cities with sustainable development. Thanks to the Sentinel-1 satellite, the startup identifies the places that dry up. Landsat-8 satellite helps determine the most overheating locations, and the Sentinel-2 helps identify streets where trees or vine plants should be planted. Many non-space variables are then added to the information mix – the city terrain, infrastructure, and the urban area type (are there warehouses or kindergartens?). The outcome of this shaken and stirred data cocktail is a detailed urban strategy for the city government. The World from Space company already worked for a dozen European cities, and in cooperation with ESA and UN, they also created a “clean air” strategy for Moldavia and Ukraine. The team also created a small infiltration reservoir project for an anti-flood plan in Etiopia.

Flying in the city
Urbanization also happens in the city airspace that is getting more and more crowded. Helicopters, planes, rescuers, and drones share the neighborhood without proper administration and organization. Their collisions endanger lives and cost millions of dollars. Authorities address this issue differently. Some cities ban drones altogether – but that seems like an unnecessary closed door to the future considering all the areas they can be used in. Power lines monitoring, buildings inspection, blood-samples transport, possible drone deliveries… Instead of banning new futuristic tech,  some authorities decided on a different approach – they approved a new directive demanding all drones to be registered and broadcast their real-time position and identification.
Startup Dronetag created a product that keeps the air-traffic intersection safe and answers drone-regulatory demands. Their IoT device works as a multipurpose registration plate; while the drone is in flight, the device precisely estimates its position from the Global Navigation Satellite Signal (GNSS). Then it uses a cellular network to send data to the cloud and Bluetooth to broadcast the information locally. Drone’s position and identification data are processed in the software platform and are accessible to other pilots and authorities. Potential hazards are limited, collisions avoided.
Organization and real-time monitoring is the only way to keep the airspace both safe & used for everyone’s benefit.

Every day is a Black Friday… somewhere
Can you navigate yourself using paper maps and a compass? We got so used to cruising the city with our smartphones that we no longer know what “azimuths” even mean. And all our loyalty cards and shopping flyers might easily be the next “azimuth”.
Startup Uneeqly is using satellite geolocation to connect businesses with customers. Any seller or manufacturer can promote discounted goods and services directly to the customer in a nearby location. Users can adjust their preferences (shops/goods/services they are interested in) and browse the offers in their set radius. A little bit like the dating app Tinder but with way more detailed preferences and a much richer supply of desirable goods – from fresh juices and functional underwear to massages and cultural experiences.

In 5 years of ESA BIC Prague’s existence, more than three dozen startups were accepted to the business incubator. They all offer a unique business connection to space technology. How often do we hear the phrase: “The future is in the stars”? The current startup trend is merely showing that “The future is in the space.”Text by:  Kateřina Syslová, ESA BIC Prague Marketing Manager
Photos by:  ESA BIC Prague

Stay up to date

with the latest news from Aerospace!

Your email address will only ever be used for Newsletters campaings with the legal agreement of your Privacy Policy. You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe in every email if you no longer wish to receive emails from us.


TOP Interviews

Awakening the Challenger: The Unstoppable Rise of Arex Defense, Guided by The Vision of its Charismatic Leader, Tim Castagne

Awakening the Challenger: The Unstoppable Rise of Arex Defense, Guided by The Vision of its Charismatic Leader, Tim Castagne

Date 23.8.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

In the tranquil heart of Slovenia, amid enchanting landscapes and vibrant culture, emerges a promising contender in the world of defense technology. Nestled in this serene corner of Europe, Arex Defense, a company once shrouded in obscurity, is now positioned to disrupt the global defense sector with its unparalleled expertise and revolutionary products. Guiding this […]

Top Aces: Revolutionizing Air Combat Training with Elite Expertise and Next-Generation Technology

Top Aces: Revolutionizing Air Combat Training with Elite Expertise and Next-Generation Technology

Date 26.7.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

In the vast and often turbulent skies of global geopolitics, every maneuver carries an importance akin to a well-coordinated flight formation. Each decision, like a finely tuned adjustment of pitch or roll, contributes to the overall trajectory of a situation. Modern challenges, such as the escalating Ukrainian crisis, are like powerful jet streams that shape […]

A REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE: A TALE OF TRIUMPH OVER TURBULENCE

A REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE: A TALE OF TRIUMPH OVER TURBULENCE

Date 30.8.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

In the heart of Tussenhausen-Mattsies, a phoenix named GROB AIRCRAFT emerged in 1971. Its golden jubilee in 2021 marked not just the passage of 50 years, but a remarkable journey of innovation that continues to soar as it reaches its 52nd year in 2023. This avant-garde aircraft manufacturer, nestled amidst cutting-edge production facilities and boasting […]

Shaping Aeronautical Excellence: Blending Passion, Innovation, and Expertise at Neo Energy Aviation Academy

Shaping Aeronautical Excellence: Blending Passion, Innovation, and Expertise at Neo Energy Aviation Academy

Date 2.8.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

Situated at the intersection of fervor, strategic investment, and disruptive innovation, the Neo Energy Aviation Academy (NEA) exemplifies the future trajectory of aviation training. Central figures of the academy, Gunnar Hasse and Tom Reinert, have illuminated the genesis, goals, and transformational methodologies employed at NEA. As NEA’s Managing Director and Accountable Manager, Gunnar Hasse, and […]

Show more

Stay up to date

with the latest news from Aerospace!

Your email address will only ever be used for Newsletters campaings with the legal agreement of your Privacy Policy. You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe in every email if you no longer wish to receive emails from us.

More news

Neo Energy Aviation Academy: Elevating the Standards of Test Flight Training

Neo Energy Aviation Academy: Elevating the Standards of Test Flight Training

Date 11.9.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

In the ever-evolving world of aviation, staying ahead requires not only innovative technology but also superior training that prepares pilots and engineers for the challenges ahead. Neo Energy Aviation Academy, a name familiar to our readers through our previous two editions of Aerospace Central Europe (ACE), continues to redefine the standards of specialized flight training. […]

Unmanned and Unstoppable: The Emergence of UAVs in Modern Aviation

Unmanned and Unstoppable: The Emergence of UAVs in Modern Aviation

Date 19.9.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

In the past 15 years, the aviation industry has seen an unprecedented evolution. Marking significant milestones from the birth of powered flight to the advent of jet propulsion, and now embracing the electrifying era of electric-powered aircraft, the sector continues to redefine innovation. The spotlight, however, is now shining brightly on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Once […]

Rising from Pandemic Challenges: ELDIS Pardubice’s Explosive Growth & Global Radar Revolution

Rising from Pandemic Challenges: ELDIS Pardubice’s Explosive Growth & Global Radar Revolution

Date 19.9.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

ELDIS Pardubice is growing, tackling new projects, and hiring employees. A side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic was the temporary suppression of air traffic, leading to a drop in revenue for air traffic control in many countries. As a result, these organizations had to cancel or postpone recruitment and dampen air transportation development. Among those […]

Top Aces to spotlight at DSEI 2023: meet the representatives

Top Aces to spotlight at DSEI 2023: meet the representatives

Date 11.9.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

Today’s kickoff of the DSEI conference in London is showcasing the crème de la crème of the defence and security industry, and among those in the limelight is Top Aces, a company that is redefining air combat training standards on a global scale. Having recently been featured in our publication, Aerospace Central Europe (ACE), the […]

Pilot training and aerial mastery: FUTURE AIR FORCE CONFERENCE 2023

Pilot training and aerial mastery: FUTURE AIR FORCE CONFERENCE 2023

Date 1.9.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

In the rapidly evolving realm of aviation, a pioneering event is on the horizon. Aerospace Central Europe (ACE) Magazine, as a prominent European voice on pilot training, is privileged to collaborate with the Future Air Force Conference 2023. Set against the backdrop of Prague’s opulence at Hotel Lindner, this symposium promises to be an epicentre […]

Unveiling the potential of Aero’s L‑39NG in modern defense aviation

Unveiling the potential of Aero’s L‑39NG in modern defense aviation

Date 8.8.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

In the realm of aviation, various aircraft fill the skies, each with its unique purpose and capability. Among these, Aero’s L‑39NG, emerging from the heritage of the iconic L-39 series, holds a special place, standing as a testament to over a hundred years of aviation tradition in the heart of Europe. The L‑39NG represents Aero’s […]

Show more
Subscribe to our magazineRegister now