Satellite Technologies: A New Frontier in Global Development
In this blog, we explore how satellite technologies are a new frontier in global development. Once a luxury reserved for governments, satellites began to be privatized in the late 1990s. Today, satellites of all sizes are launching into orbit. The potential benefits for the world’s poorest and for the planet could be immense, as long as the data they produce is accessible to all.
The Early Days of Satellite Technology
In the late 2000s, while analyzing satellite imagery during his undergraduate studies at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology in Maharashtra, India, Roy found that computer analysis of a single image could take hours. Sometimes, the analysis would start at night and continue until the next morning. Today, satellite technologies continue to evolve, and they represent a new frontier in global development.
Satellite Data: A Tool for Transparency
Today, civil society organizations and individuals are using satellite technology in innovative ways. These advancements are making it more difficult for countries to conceal human rights abuses. The democratization of satellite data is proving to be beneficial for communities in lower-income settings.
Applications of Satellite Technology
Satellites are being used for various purposes. They monitor illegal fishing, track malaria, and support early warning systems in flood-prone areas. They also measure crop yields and provide farmers with advice on fertilizers. These applications raise the question: Can satellite technology provide the development boost it promises?
Challenges in Satellite Technology for Development
While satellite technology holds great potential, it comes with challenges. Satellites are unevenly distributed among countries, meaning that the poorest nations may struggle to access them. Reaching remote and nomadic communities for data collection is difficult. Additionally, programs aimed at combating development challenges often struggle to gather necessary reference data.
Satellite Technology and COVID-19
As the world faces the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19, researchers are using satellite data to model potential pandemic outbreaks. This could one day help analysts predict and manage future crises. The true potential of satellites for development will depend on whether they become the truly democratic tools they are meant to be.
Conclusion: The Promise of Satellite Technologies
We hope this blog has helped you understand the role of satellite technologies as a new frontier in global development. To learn more, visit HawksCode and Easyshiksha.