Contract award
EO DataHub awards £3 million to simplify access to Earth observation data
The EO DataHub (EODH) is delighted to announce the award of significant further contracts aimed at unlocking the potential of Earth Observation (EO) data and completing the team for this landmark project. These contracts represent a significant milestone in the collaboration between commercial technology providers, application developers and data sources to deliver a first digital national EO infrastructure.
The EO DataHub is a first step in modernising satellite data technologies for the UK for experts and non-experts alike. The overall goal of the project is to develop and operate a new centralised software infrastructure – DataHub – to provide a ‘single point’ of access for UK and international data offerings from distributed public and commercial sources. The system provides confidence for users through access to data processing, data quality checks and training from subject experts.
Led by the NERC National Centre for Earth Observation, at the Centre for Data Analysis (CEDA) and the University of Leicester, the team as shown is a unique combination of UKRI institutes, public sector establishments and commercial organisations who are known for their expert capabilities in EO data, computing and data quality systems. Our new partners are:
- Airbus Defence and Space
- Earth-i and Planet
- Sparkgeo
- Spyrosoft
- Oxidian
Data streams contract:
This contract award brings data providers into the EODH programme to provide users with improved access to public and commercial EO data streams.
Our new EODH partners, Airbus Defence and Space, and Earth-i in partnership with Planet, will provide access to commercial, very-high-resolution, optical and SAR imagery catalogues, via the Hub Platform. This includes intuitive data access via the Airbus One Atlas Living Library, Planetscope and SkySat data, and comprehensive training and support using resources such as Planet’s University.
Applications and Integrations contracts
This three-lot contract focuses on the development of user-driven, applications and software integrations utilising the services and data provided by the EO DataHub Platform:
- Web application: combining information from climate observations and projections
- Web-map application for land surface data
- Open-source code integrations and training for GIS practitioners
Lot 1. Awarded to SparkGeo
Sparkgeo have over a decade of experience developing geospatial software and solutions for some of the world’s largest organisations. SparkGeo are developing a ‘physical risk and resilience’ web application tool to assess the vulnerability of assets to climate change.
Lot 2. Awarded to Spyrosoft
Software development and consulting company, Spyrosoft will work on a web-map application showcasing land surface data in July. Spyrosoft have extensive experience in developing customised web-maps for clients that include the Ordnance Survey.
Lot 3. Awarded to Oxidian
Oxidian is a software studio specialising in the rapid design and development of products for government research and scientific institutions. Oxidian will lead development of open-source code integrations and training: accelerating the use of the Hub Platform capabilities, with a focus on GIS practitioners.
Professor John Remedios, Executive Director of the National Centre for Earth Observation, said:
“The EODH is an ambitious venture which will make a difference to the information available to UK users of EO data. I am delighted to be building services and streaming data in collaboration with industry partners who will add to the skills of our research institutes and public agencies. Our intention is to bring UK EO data to both experts and non-experts alike.”
Philip Kershaw, Head of the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis, said:
“The award of these contracts marks a major milestone in the EO DataHub. I am
excited as with these new partners joining we move into the full implementation
phase for the programme.
About the EO Data Hub
The EO DataHub is a pathfinder service designed to offer UK users a step-change in Earth Observation data access and quality, serving commercial users, government, researchers and students. The overall goal of the project is to develop and operate a new centralised software infrastructure – DataHub – to provide a new ‘single point’ of access for UK EO data offerings from distributed public and commercial centres.
The EODH project team provide oversight and management of a consortium of experts from across research and the commercial sector.
The project brings together a strong team of partners from across the public sector and industry
- National Centre for Earth Observation (Lead Organisation), specifically the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA) and the University of Leicester
- National Physical Laboratory
- Met Office
- Satellite Applications Catapult
- Airbus Defence and Space
- Earth-i and Planet
- Oxidian
- Sparkgeo
- Spyrosoft
- Telespazio UK
The EODH is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council as part of the Earth Observation Investment Package of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in partnership with the UK Space Agency.