Making space data manageable and comprehensive for end-users and maximising the value of unique Earth Observation data is what drives dotSPACE.
By opening ‘The Groundstation’: a space data expert centre, dotSPACE creates a landmark for space data use.
DotSPACE is a non-profit organisation focused on education, exploration & creation by means of remote sensing technologies. The DotSPACE foundation was set up within a ‘triple helix innovation framework’ of academia (universities), industry and government to foster economic and social development. It was founded in 2016 to respond to the growing need for innovation with remote sensing data. The initiators Martijn Seijger, Alexander Los, Joris Kruse, Valentijn Venus and Linda van Duivenbode joined forces in this foundation.
The dotSPACE foundation has received co-financing from the Province of South Holland to support the development of ‘the Ground Station’. This is a space data expert centre located on the Space Campus in Noordwijk. The co-financing from the province is specifically used for the deployment of tenderdesk and activation activities regarding the use of remote sensing. The foundation does this by, among other things, giving masterclasses. The funding came forward from the region deal ‘ESTEC and Space Campus Noordwijk’, signed in november 2018.
The tenderdesk activities are dedicated to cluster relevant national and international players to respond to new opportunities utilising satellite data. This is a great asset to the Space Campus. With their active approach in building consortia, searching for required skills, their expertise and guidance to successfully apply for Earth Observation related tenders, provides a fertile ground for companies to cooperate and share knowledge.
“Bringing companies and other parties such as universities together, this tenderdesk and activation programme is an excellent instrument to join forces and achieve more together to win these European tenders. It gives us the opportunity to benefit from the assets Space Campus as a European space hub has to offer”, says Esther Peters, director of Space Campus Noordwijk.
In the upcoming years dotSPACE plans to organise frequent master classes on the Space Campus and to continue their tender desk activities and other programmes to effectively stimulate new applications, new opportunities, new markets and create more jobs. Each euro invested in satellite technology represents a high return of investment, with lots of business opportunities.
“The masterclass of dotSPACE has proved to be of great value for the province of Zuid-Holland. A dedicated group of colleagues has emerged and we now – more and more – consider Earth observation as a solution to some problems in our province. Current projects include visualising the subsidence of a road and exploring ways for measuring subsidence in rural areas. Using satellite data can help us take timely and efficient measures,” says Koen Vredebregt, province of Zuid-Holland.
For more information: info@groundstation.space
