Synopsis
The report summarizes a workshop hosted by the Australian Centre for Space Governance (ACSG) on August 14, 2023 focused on the responsible governance of Earth observation (EO) satellite data.
Key Details
- The workshop brought together 25 experts from government, industry, and academia to discuss issues related to the quality, reliability, and access to EO data
- Presentations covered the importance of EO data for sectors like agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, and national security
- Two main themes emerged:
- Failure to recognize EO data as critical infrastructure despite heavy reliance
- Risks related to dependence on foreign/commercial providers for EO data
- Specific risks highlighted include loss of access, data interference, calibration/validation issues with commercial providers
Outcomes
- Proposed governance solutions included better risk assessments, certification processes for providers, and an Australian calibration/validation body
- ACSG will continue work in this area through policy papers, surveys, simulation exercises, and additional workshops
- Key next steps are increasing awareness of these issues with policymakers and developing regulatory solutions to manage risks
The report provides an overview of a thought-provoking discussion on an important issue – the governance of EO satellite data that supports critical systems and sectors.
