REDDCopernicus was represented in the Finnish Satellite Workshop and Remote Sensing Days 2020 (https://spaceworkshop.fi/), organized in Espoo, Finland, 20-22 January 2020. The event gave a good opportunity for REDDCopernicus to interact with representatives from the entire spectrum of satellite-based forest monitoring, ranging from satellite manufacturers and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) specialists to producers and Users of Earth Observation products and services.
The Finnish Satellite Workshop is the biggest New Space meeting in Northern Europe with more than 400 participants. It brings together space technology specialists, scientists and students to discuss current topics in a rapidly developing space field. This year’s event was arranged together with the Finnish Remote Sensing Days, bringing in participants also from the User community. The event had an extensive technical exhibition area allowing companies to promote their products. The format of the event was relaxed, focusing on content and collaboration. Several side events were arranged along the happening enabling fruitful discussions and information exchange among the participants.
The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is leading the REDDCopernicus activities related to the identification of research gaps in Earth Observation-based Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) monitoring in the European context, and the gaps in the infrastructure of space and ground components for the provision of operational forest monitoring services. Apart from the review of regulations and research activities, stakeholder interaction is one of the main means for analysis of the research gaps related to Sustainable Forest Monitoring in Europe. The Finnish Satellite Workshop and Remote Sensing Days provided a good opportunity to gather information and experiences on the use of Copernicus products for Sustainable Forest Monitoring purposes. The audience included several government agencies producing and using information based on Copernicus products, with generally positive experiences.
The participation of New Space satellite manufacturers and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals in the event supported the assessment of current status and plans of the space and ground segment in support of operational forest monitoring services. Hyperspectral, thermal, and other Copernicus candidate missions, as well as L band and longer wavelength SAR systems were presented. Data processing and distribution solutions and platforms were also among the most discussed topics during the workshop. The participants agreed in the need for new types of sensors to meet the evolving requirements of Earth Observation products and acknowledged the increasing importance of data processing and distribution platforms in efficient utilization of Earth Observation data.
