Continuity of Earth Observation Data for Australia: Risks Report Released

Earth observations (EO) from space can be considered as critical infrastructure that supports both Australian society and the economy. A clear understanding of risks to the access and supply of satellite EO is needed, recognising that it is a critical technology underpinning many essential services and commercial activities, as well as new and innovative research.

A new report, Continuity of Earth Observation Data for Australia: Risks (CEODA: Risks), provides a comprehensive assessment of the civil use of EO in government, research, and commercial applications and services in Australia.

The study identifies more than 170 government programs that are dependent on EO data, spanning environmental issues, natural resource management, water, agriculture, meteorology, forestry, emergency management, tsunami and flood modelling, compliance, mapping, and planning. Of these government programs, almost 80% have values up to $10 million each, and ¾ have a high dependency on EO data.