Technology transfer is an innovation that happens when a tech is used with a different goal than the original purposes, often in a different industry. As space technology needs to meet high standards such as to be failure-proof, reliable, and durable, it is common to have space tech used in our daily earth life, from smart textiles to environmental-control systems. Also, satellites and ground systems can help improve meteorology, telecommunication, navigation, and earth observation. The improvements in weather predictions due to meteorological satellites also bring positive impacts to agriculture and energy management.  

Space-based data (atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial, and others) also enable scientists to have a better understanding of the climate change process. For example, by tracking the oceans’ level and the world’s water supplies, scientists can improve freshwater management. Clouds, water vapors, precipitation, and sea-levels are all measured from space, in coordination with in-situ systems.   

How is ESA helping fight climate change?

ESA is a significant player in climate change mitigation, fostering and supporting technologies and business ideas that help the environment with its Technology Transfer program and Business Incubation Centers. Some of those ideas help the environment with energy-saving. 

• Space tech for renewable energy. A concept developed by a French company named Leosphere that maximizes the amount of electricity from wind turbines. The technology called Windcube accurately measures wind in remote locations, offering a better understanding of the wind conditions, which is critical to determinate the best position for the wind turbines. The system used is similar to the one used by ESA on its Aeolus Earth Explorer Atmospheric Dynamics Mission, responsible for providing, from space, global observation of wind, capable of improving weather forecasts and our understanding in atmospheric dynamics and climate processes. Using similar tech, Leosphere developed other systems for clouds and aerosol parameters measurement, facilitating the meteorological process, and helping with climate change.  

• Another company supported by the European Space Agency was the Italian Flyby with its SolarSat system, which uses data from a weather satellite, Europe’s Meteosat, to map the amount of sunshine available. With this information, the system can accurately estimate the power output of photovoltaic or solar power plants, determining the most suitable location for the power plants, as well as monitor their performance identifying faults that could lead to a 10% reduction in clean energy production.  

• The space technology used for measuring oxygen levels around spacecraft reentry vehicles has been used to reduce the emissions from heating systems. The tech developed by the University of Stuttgart was too big and bulky for the space system demanding a smaller sensor developed by TU Dresden. The miniaturized ceramic gas sensor tech used by the German ESCUBE, accurately controls heater combustion, one of the principal pollutants’ sources. That can reduce the exhaust of those gases and ensure that the heating system (both industrial and home) is working at optimum capacity, also reducing fuel consumption by 10 to 15%.  

• Using SATNAV systems, the same one that allows us to find our way around, there are several innovations to reduce fuel consumptions and pollution emissions by cars, here two ideas supported by the European Space Agency:  

1. The smart GreenDrive, developed by Alex Ackerman and Yossef Shiri, uses information such as car model and brand, location, road conditions to advise the driver on when to brake, keep speed or accelerate and drive economically. That could save on 15 – 25% of fuel wasted on repeated rapid acceleration and abrupt braking.  

   
   

2. Galileo-Ecodrive, proposed by Prof. Gerhard Güttler, uses data on the road’s geodetic height profile to optimize the operation of auxiliary devices (electricity generators, air conditioning, power steering, the deep freezers) used on trucks for perishable goods and moveable parts of a cement mixer. That could lead to 2 billion liters saving in fuel and avoiding the emission of 5 million tons of CO², the main gas responsible for climate change.  

ESA’s active role in climate change mitigation  

ESA’s role is also active with Copernicus, Europe’s massive earth observation program. Copernicus Sentinel satellites monitor CO² emissions, rising sea levels, floods, earthquakes, and global temperatures.  

Outside ESA

Another mission to monitor the earth’s ecosystem using high-resolution hyperspectral sensor technology was developed by the German satellite manufacturer OHB and managed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). With the capability to capture much more than what is visible to the naked eye, Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMap) provides evidence about minerals and other materials on the surface, helping scientists to conclude potential changes that may have occurred. In this sense, the satellite can detect evidence of polymer molecules by capturing the data in the reflected sunlight being able to determine if the ocean’s surface contains microplastics. 

Besides being able to measure the impacts of climate changes on land and ocean ecosystems, the applications of this mission planned to launch in 2021 goes from agriculture to urban planning. By providing data capable of predicting nutrient deficiency, pest infestations, water shortages, it can help farmers to prevent crop failures. Furthermore, the satellite could map signs of early drought, tree species, and forests’ structures, as well as monitoring farmers’ declaration on food production. Measuring areas covered by vegetation and the ones covered by concrete and building, the satellite could also be used to plan sustainable cities. The mission could also monitor erosion of coastlines, and detect pollution and particles in water.   

As we can see, space technology is helping to fight the climate change process by reducing CO² emissions, optimizing clean energy sources, or monitoring and offering data for better management of activities that have an impact on climate change. If you got interested and want to know more about ESA’s program, check their website here. 

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Article written by Juliane Verissímo - Marketing Department of VisionSpace