Satellite Tasking-as-a-Service in Earth Observation Solutions: A Growing Opportunity

In 2024, Singapore-headquartered startup Eartheye Space, with subsidiaries in Australia and India, secured US$1.5 million to expand its online satellite-tasking platform, which includes developing Computer Vision (CV) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. Some of these developments can aid in automating image interpretation to analyze satellite imagery, detect changes in the landscape over time, and track objects. Likewise, EOS Data Analytics, a global provider of AI-powered satellite data analytics, introduced a new satellite tasking feature that enables users to request on-demand satellite imagery for specific areas of interest. Last year, ICEYE also automated its satellite-tasking process, allowing customers to request Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery from its extensive catalog.

The Earth Observation (EO) industry has been encountering challenges related to accessibility, affordability, and usability, including issues with accessing various geospatial data types, gaps in geographical coverage, technical barriers for end users, complexities in data interpretation, and a lack of tailored solutions for specific user needs. The EO market is fragmented between various sensor types and cost models, which have typically operated on a single platform or network and forced customers to subscribe to more than one network for comprehensive EO data. This can include a range of services and sensors such as Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Radio Frequency (RF) geolocation data, sourced from commercial and government operators. Multispectral and hyperspectral sensors operate across the visible and Near-Infrared (NIR) to Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) regions of the spectrum, while SAR operates in the microwave region of the spectrum. RF geolocation detects signals within the RF spectrum, whereas AIS operates in the Very High Frequency (VHF) radio band.

One solution to address the challenge of harnessing multiple sensor types and their unique benefits is the use of a multi-vendor, multi-sensor platform that enables users to access and task various sensor modalities in a singular platform. In this way, these software platforms and applications allow end users to easily task a specific sensor or multiple sensors they need from a single platform. Some examples of these platforms include:

• Eartheye Space currently has over 485 satellites in operation and offers a unified multi-sensor tasking platform that consolidates all satellite data, with plans to expand to 600 satellites with even more sensors by the end of 2025. Some newer sensors that will be available on the platform include Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), radar-based Three-Dimensional (3D) from space, and very-high resolution optical sensors from Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). Additionally, Eartheye Space provides EO satellite access across all orbits—polar/ sun-synchronous, mid-inclined, and near-equatorial—ensuring maximum coverage and frequent revisits. It also offers real-time cost generation based on specific tasking requirements, with no minimum spending or annual data contracts, making it ideal for small businesses, large enterprises, and budget-constrained governments.
• SkyWatch is another geospatial data company that offers a platform designed to simplify access to satellite imagery and other geospatial data for businesses. SkyWatch also collaborates with various satellite data providers, such as Planet Labs, Maxar, and Airbus, to offer a wide range of imagery consolidated from a variety of datasets and sensors, including optical imagery, multispectral and hyperspectral data, SAR, and LiDAR.

These multi-vendor, multi-sensor solutions integrated on a single platform will allow users to access a diverse range of satellite data, from multiple providers and sensor types, catering to diverse applications.  As the demand for geospatial data grows, such integrated platforms will become increasingly vital for driving innovation, efficiency, and scalability in industries like agriculture, urban planning, energy, and disaster management. The flexibility of sensors and the ability to enhance decision-making by offering tailored, real-time data that meet specific needs in various verticals is expected to disrupt the legacy imaging market. 

Currently, EO Data-as-a-Service (a service that provides businesses and organizations with access to high-quality EO data and insights without the need to manage satellite infrastructure) is primarily driven by the defense and government sectors, including maritime and aviation, with growing applications in agriculture and smart cities. Given the influx of commercial players into the EO market, and the surge in data availability, there are numerous opportunities for the EO industry to explore revenue diversification:

• Expand Industry-Specific Applications and Use Cases: Many industries are beginning to recognize the value of EO data, with increasing opportunities in verticals such as agriculture (precision farming), forestry and land management (sustainability practices), and energy and natural resource management (mining). These emerging markets have significant untapped potential and can benefit EO data. As a result, EO companies can focus on these industries, providing valuable applications to support their growth and innovation. These services are valuable as they enable more informed decision-making, optimize resource management, improve operational efficiency, and support sustainability efforts.
• Focus on Emerging Regions: The EO market is currently led by operators from the United States and Europe, with growing competition from emerging companies in China and India. As other regions advance their sovereign space technologies, opportunities are arising in Asia, Africa, and Latin America where EO services can play a regionally focused role in supporting industrialization and urbanization. For example, Africa faces challenges in agriculture, climate change, and infrastructure development. EO solutions can provide cost-effective monitoring for food security, tracking deforestation, and aiding in disaster management, offering valuable support for sustainable growth and development in these regions.
• Develop Value-Added Products and Services: EO solution providers can enhance their solutions by combining data insights with advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) analytics and ML to offer actionable insights that go beyond basic raw data. As demand for customized data grows, they can also introduce Satellite Tasking-as-a-Service, allowing clients to request tailored satellite imagery. For instance, Eartheye Space provides this capability, enabling clients to task any satellite with their desired sensor modality. This approach is customizable, actionable, and user-friendly, avoiding the complexity of overwhelming data, while delivering exactly what the end users need. Furthermore, EO companies can expand their products by incorporating a wider range of sensor modalities for different remote sensing functions. This enables them to offer tailored solutions for industries like agriculture, urban planning, and disaster management, delivering precise data to meet specific client needs.

Increase Partnerships with Satellite Operators: Increasing collaborations and partnerships with satellite operators will lead to broader coverage and enhanced data availability. By working together, companies can leverage a wider range of satellite resources, improving the scope and frequency of data access. For example, Rivada Networks uses laser-linked LEO satellites, enabling faster and more efficient Space-to-Earth communications with minimal latency. Similarly, Kepler Communications has established Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs), playing a key role in building critical infrastructure for faster data transmission, which enhances connectivity and improves communication speed across satellite networks. This expanded network will enable more accurate and timely insights, benefiting industries that rely on real-time EO data for decision-making. ABI Research will be exploring a variety of these topics in our Space Technologies & Innovation Research Service.