Hydrosat, an innovative company that utilizes thermal satellite data and artificial intelligence, has achieved a new milestone by securing a contract from the European Space Agency (ESA) under the LuxIMPULSE program. This agreement aims to develop a large-scale water productivity tool specifically designed to optimize water management in agriculture at both regional and national levels.
In a world where water scarcity is becoming a concerning issue for food production, the solution proposed by Hydrosat seeks to provide accurate information on the water needs of different types of crops, water usage habits, soil moisture, and yield forecasts. To date, available information has been limited, hindering proper water resource management.
The new tool will generate maps on water availability and productivity, transforming complex data into easy-to-interpret information useful for making informed decisions. This advancement has the potential to enhance resilience to climate change, ensure food security, and promote sustainable water management across various contexts.
Royce Dalby, president of Hydrosat, stated that water scarcity poses one of the most serious threats to global food security and emphasized the importance of measuring what needs to be solved. The contract with ESA is a significant step towards providing effective tools that optimize water productivity through the use of thermal satellite imagery and advanced artificial intelligence analysis.
Hydrosat’s innovative technology has the capability to identify problematic areas in water usage and optimize its use in specific fields. This will allow for assessing the gap between current and potential productivity, taking into account local particularities.
Albert Abelló, Hydrosat’s Engineering Director, highlighted that their system combines high-resolution thermal imaging with artificial intelligence, transforming complex data into practical information. This synergy will equip authorities with detailed analyses to implement effective policies that maximize water resources and improve crop efficiency.
The contract with ESA is backed by the Government of Luxembourg and is part of the National Space Program of Luxembourg, LuxIMPULSE. Mathias Link, Deputy Director General of the Luxembourg Space Agency, praised Hydrosat’s role as a key player in utilizing space to address critical environmental challenges.
Since its inception, Hydrosat has significantly grown, providing surface temperature data to clients covering over 10 million acres worldwide. With the successful launch of its second satellite, VanZyl-2, the company reinforces its commitment to expanding its earth observation capabilities and developing solutions for the ongoing global water crisis.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
