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

A Vision for the Future: Exploring Sustainable Solutions and Disruptive Technologies at the Arab Aviation Summit

A Vision for the Future: Exploring Sustainable Solutions and Disruptive Technologies at the Arab Aviation Summit

Date 6.3.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

In a recent interview, we had the opportunity to sit down with Frederico Fernandes, Director of the Arab Aviation Summit, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the aviation sector. As one of the leading industry players, Frederico shared his insights on the past success of the Summit and looked ahead to the future. He […]

A Journey Towards a Greener Tomorrow: The Revolutionary AMBER Program Takes Flight

A Journey Towards a Greener Tomorrow: The Revolutionary AMBER Program Takes Flight

Date 8.3.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

  The aviation industry is facing an unprecedented challenge in balancing its environmental impact with the increasing demand for air travel. Avio Aero, a subsidiary of GE Aerospace, is leading the charge with the launch of its innovative AMBER project. In this exclusive interview, we’ll sit down with Jesus Lopez Ruiz, AMBER System Leader at […]

Rising to the Top: The Transformational Leadership of Job Air Technic a.s.

Rising to the Top: The Transformational Leadership of Job Air Technic a.s.

Date 8.2.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

Exclusive Interview with Vladimir Stulančák (on the picture above), CEO & Chairman of the Board of Directors of Job Air Technic a.s. Job Air Technic a.s., a member of Czechoslovak Group, is a leading maintenance company specializing in heavy and line maintenance for narrow body planes such as the A320 FAM and B737. With 30 years of […]

QinetiQ: delivering where others can’t to protect sovereign interests and save lives

QinetiQ: delivering where others can’t to protect sovereign interests and save lives

Date 1.9.2022

fl_en|fl_cs

Founded in 2001, QinetiQ was previously part of the British Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which was comparable to the US DARPA. The largest share of DERA, namely the non-nuclear testing and evaluation institutes, was transferred to the newly created QinetiQ. In 2003, QinetiQ signed a 25-year long-term partnering agreement (LTPA) under which QinetiQ […]

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

From the Czech Republic to the Skies of Europe: Evektor’s SportStart RTC and Harmony UL Ready to Conquer Aero Friedrichshafen 2023

From the Czech Republic to the Skies of Europe: Evektor’s SportStart RTC and Harmony UL Ready to Conquer Aero Friedrichshafen 2023

Date 29.3.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

Evektor, a Czech-based company founded in 1991 with a 50-year tradition in aircraft production, is set to showcase its latest offerings at the upcoming Aero Friedrichshafen event. The event is widely regarded as the world’s leading trade show for general aviation and is scheduled to take place from April 19th to 22nd, 2023. Aero Friedrichshafen […]

NEO ENERGY AVIATION ACADEMY – TEST PILOT AND LEAD FLIGHT TEST ENGINEER COURSE READY FOR AUGUST 2023

NEO ENERGY AVIATION ACADEMY – TEST PILOT AND LEAD FLIGHT TEST ENGINEER COURSE READY FOR AUGUST 2023

Date 22.3.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

The Neo Energy Aviation Academy (NEA), Europe’s newest fully private Approved Training Organisation, is now ready to offer a comprehensive range of highly specialised competency-based training in the areas of flight test and specialised operations and has just announced the launch of its new Test Pilot and Lead Flight Test Engineer training courses. The Academy, […]

Navigating the Turbulent Skies: The Aerospace Industry in 2022 and Beyond

Navigating the Turbulent Skies: The Aerospace Industry in 2022 and Beyond

Date 9.3.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

The aviation industry is facing turbulence due to the war in Ukraine, inflation, and energy crisis (mainly in Europe), which is probably the largest individual loss ever to hit areas of the aviation insurance market. Inflation is increasing costs across the industry and challenging insurers as it affects nominal premium growth and global demand. The […]

Vueling Strengthens Sustainable Strategy with WheelTug Partnership

Vueling Strengthens Sustainable Strategy with WheelTug Partnership

Date 22.2.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

Vueling, part of International Airlines Group (IAG), has recently announced their new collaboration with WheelTug, the company that created the system of the same name, enabling aircraft to taxi without utilizing their engines. This electric propulsion system reduces the need for traditional push–back tractors and will result in lower fuel consumption and noise emissions, in […]

XTAL Goes Wireless – The First Professional Wireless Headset is Here

XTAL Goes Wireless – The First Professional Wireless Headset is Here

Date 20.2.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

Vrgineers and IMRNext collaboration bring to life a high-fidelity wireless virtual reality headset for high-end customers   The wireless XTAL targets high-end customers, who require fully performing computers to calculate VR content, making it the best choice for use cases such as machine and aircraft maintenance, rescue or firefighting operations, and special forces training.   […]

QinetiQ Boosts Aerial Capabilities with Strategic Investment in DA62 and PC-9 B Planes

QinetiQ Boosts Aerial Capabilities with Strategic Investment in DA62 and PC-9 B Planes

Date 9.2.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

QinetiQ GmbH, a leading global defense and security company, has recently expanded its fleet with two new Diamond DA62 planes and nine Pilatus PC-9 B planes to support the provision of Aerial Threat Representation for its German and European customers.   – QinetiQ GmbH has recently expanded their fleet with two new Diamond DA62 and […]

Show more
Subscribe to our magazineRegister now