On Friday, 13^th April, FabSpace 2.0 and Spacenus GmbH jointly started their recent Hackathon at the facilities of Spacenus in Darmstadt. The Hackathon was designed as two separate 10 hours half hackathon program. This new concept has been chosen to allow participants to work between both events to achieve better results in sense of technical solutions.

Fig: Participants at the Hackathon at Spacenus GmbH

Sascha Heising, Bayzidul Islam (both from FabSpace 2.0) and Lionel Born together with Riazuddin Kaswar from Spacenus welcomed the attendees and gave a brief overview of the objectives and goals to be achieved. An international mixed group of students followed the invitation and were curious to start playing with Earth Observation (EO) data. On top of that, Spacenus was thankfully sponsored the venue, food & drinks for the whole day to provide a nice environment for the participants.

Fig: Welcome speech by Sascha Heising (right) and Introduction to the challenge by Bayzidul Islam (left) from FabSpace

The first session was all about introduction, team-building and defining challenges to be tackled. So first, the participants decided to do a state of the art analysis of the challenge taken as “How to deal with cloud and cloud shadows of Sentinel-2 satellite imagery” which is an exploring each pixels of imagery based approach. The second, is to explore bands of satellite imagery to know the spectral behavior to the ground features which will enable to select the input data of a cloud and shadow detection algorithm. In the third step, the existing approaches to be scrutinize to understand and develop the best approach to deal the challenge more effectively and efficiently. Finally, the computer vision approach as Machine Learning algorithm such as Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) and the t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) has been selected to develop the model. Both, FabSpace and Spacenus crews were provided hands-on support to guide the participants to stick to their goals.

Fig: Welcoming the guests and detailed insight to the challenge and introduction to the ESA project GFaaS by Riazuddin Kawsar (left) and Lionel Born (right) from Spacenus GmbH

The first day was full of busy working with team formation and understanding the topic. The team worked on to create a strategic plan of their work approach by sharing their knowledge and connecting experts’ opinion. The first day was concluded by summarizing the day long activities and introducing to the next steps in the next session in May.

Fig: Comfortable working environment at event venue at Spacenus GmbH

The next session will conclude the hackathon but before that everybody will be already excited to see the results achieved in between. Experts from Spacenus also introduce to the participants about their ongoing ESA project Geospatial Framework as a Service (GFaaS) [https://spacenus.com/news-1/2018/4/21/geospatial-framework-as-a-service-esa-kick-start-project-kick-off] where there is a wide opportunity for participants to take part and processess, store and manupulate Earth Observation (EO) data. The Hackathon itself is a start but there is a tremendous opportunities for the participants and enthusiasts to join the FabSpace network and explore how real professionals (i.e. Spacenus GmbH) are translating satellite imagery to meaningful information.

Fig: Food and drinks offered by Spacenus GmbH

Last but not the least, If you are curious about this hackathon you can just step by to join the 2^nd session on 4.5.2018 starting at 10:00 again in the facilities of Spacenus, Marienburgstraße 22, Darmstadt. Follow the link for more information and event registration here: http://explorepixels.fabspace-germany.de/

It is really exciting and charming to interact with kids and FabSpace Darmstadt had that opportunity to welcome more than 20 kids in the Laboratory at the Institute of Geodesy, Darmstadt University of Technology. All those kids are in different age group as 10 – 12 years and they are kids of Merck employees. In their occasion in summer named as Merck-Holiday-Week they wanted to know more about earth science, satellite technologies and space science in general. It says “young brains are fertile than an older one” and it is the high time for them to start thinking about those complex sciences. Darmstadt is a hub of space science including relevant organizations like ESOC, EUMETSAT and many more companies. Therefore, kids are also really enthusiastic to know about what is the role of those space industries and how they are practicing space science.

In the beginning kids were introduced the hierarchy of the academic system and what is the specialty of Institute of Geodesy and the project FabSpace 2.0. later on the fundamentals of earth observation satellites were explained. It was an outstanding interactive environment while explaining in local language (German) how satellites can help us improving our life. How satellites are monitoring the earth from space for instance, natural and manmade hazards (i.e. flood, landslide, volcanos, forest fire, oil spill etc.), mapping water resources and forest, managing transportation to reduce air pollution etc.

In the next point kids were introduced by the basics of geodesy and navigation satellites. How navigation services as Galileo/EGNOS or GPS is working for the better positioning system. In an open discussion on how navigation signal works inside a tunnel, kids were very curious and they have very fresh and innovative answers.

The root of our next generation is all of our young stars. It is our social and/or political responsibility to provide them a better environment and proper guidelines to grow-up. It is indeed an outstanding movement by FabSpace to introduce space science and geo-science for their better future. Although, FabSpace all over the Europe act as a pre-incubator for satellite data driven business creation but getting in touch with kids and showing them clear pathway of shaping our future through earth observation and geospatial technologies was a great pleasure.

The conference is likely the most important in the field of remote sensing, with the participation of thousands of delegates from academics, research and industry. The theme for IGARSS 2017 is “International Cooperation for Global Awareness” which emphasizes the need, organizers stressed, to work together to address many challenges we are facing today.

The talk has been given by Fabio Del Frate (University of Rome Tor Vergata). Announcement of the call for expression of interest recently launched by the project to increase the number of the partners has been also given. “In fact, very high ranked European Universities expressed preliminary interest for the initiative”, says Del Frate.

FabSpace 2.0 aims at making Universities open innovation centres for their region and at improving their contribution to the socio-economic and environmental performance of societies by exploiting Earth Observation data and geospatial information. In a collaborative research environment within Universities, students and researchers will get in contact with end-users’ needs and will have the possibility to rapidly prototype innovative EO-Earth Observation applications and services, exploiting free Sentinel Data and Copernicus Core Services.

The initial network of FabSpace 2.0 partners consists of six centres (in France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Greece and Poland), each one composed by a local University and the local ESA BIC-Business Incubation Centre, and it is now expanding.

Your Organization can now become one of them…. and be part of the core group of the FabSpace 2.0 Network

Experience a new journey into open innovation based on geo-spatial and Earth Observation data.

Please read the attached information package  below and feel free to ask questions and clarifications to Mr Marcello Maranesi (Univ. of Rome Tor Vergata maranesimarcello@gmail.com  ) and Mrs Aurélie Baker (ESA BIC Sud France – Aerospace Valley: baker@aerospace-valley.com

Call for Expression of Interest

Additional Information for the Call

Application Form

FabSpace Darmstadt starts with a great Opening of their first Startup week. OB Jochen Partsch special guest.

On Monday, 26.6. the FabSpace team Darmstadt launched its major innovation event for 2017. The Startup week was being planned for almost half a year and was originally kicked off at the booth of Software AG during CeBit 2017 together with the federal ministry of economic affairs Brigitte Zypries and the former German ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter. Software AG is also supporting and sponsoring a trip to Silicon Valley for the best solution.

The Opening was a big success with more than 50 attendees during the entire day. Next to Software AG FabSpace welcomed EUMETSAT, Merck, T-Systems and Hessen Trade & Invest as additional sponsors. Beside the opportunity to take part in the FabSpace bootcamp the best solution can also win a trip to Silicon Valley sponsored by Software AG.

The team of FabSpace Darmstadt arranged a mixture of exhibition together with several presentations and a relaxing lounge to create a unique startup atmosphere. The modern and purist auditorium of the TU Darmstadt Campus was used to host the first day.

Jürgen Powik (Software AG) and Sascha Heising test the relaxing conditions in the “lounge”, carefully watched by Prof. Matthias Becker and Dr. Damian Bargiel.

On top of that the FabSpace team also welcomed a special guest the mayor of Darmstadt Jochen Partsch. He underlined the importance of the local FabSpace in Darmstadt and its connections to several institutions. Furthermore, he also pointed out the role of earth observation for the upcoming tasks fostered by “Digitalstadt Darmstadt”. The identified fields of applications, like smart transportation will also be a new playground for FabSpace. To find out more about Digitalstadt click here.

The major of Darmstadt, Jochen Partsch during his introduction speech at FabSpace 2.0 Darmstadt Startup week. (photo: Thomas)

After guest speeches by Jochen Partsch, Prof. Becker and Dr. Zimmermann (both FabSpace 2.0) the audience listened to a keynote by Michael Linke from ESA/ESOC who talked about Earth Observation applications.

Prof. Matthias Becker talks about the benefits of the FabSpace for the university. (photo: Thomas)

Dr. Frank Zimmermann welcomes everybody in the name of cesah GmbH. (photo: Thomas)

In his Keynote Mr. Linke was trying to draw the big picture to give impressive examples of what earth observation can do. Of course, he focused also on the various benefits of the Copernicus program and data from the sentinel satellites.

Michael Linke during his speech highlighting the importance of Copernicus program and sentinel data. (photo: Thomas)

The format with its open design during lecture time was made to allow students to stop by and have a look, which was also very successful. After lunch, the event continued its innovative structure with time to network at the booths of the sponsors and parallel listen to presentations, which was also a big point.

Thomas Schüller from EUMETSAT (photo: cesah)

“The interest of the participating students was impressive, both on EUMETSAT data and services but also on EUMETSAT as a work place”, describes Lothar Schüller from EUMETSAT the atmosphere of the first day. You can also watch the video of the first day to see some highlights.

Afterwards the 12 participants followed an introduction for the upcoming days by Bayzidul Islam and Sascha Heising. Beside some organizational aspects the focus was on a balanced team building and the definition of challenges that the teams want to tackle. The 1st workshop day will start with a one hour webinar sponsored by T-Systems and a brainstorming session to unmark the field.

The fruitful atmosphere of the opening event of the FabSpace 2.0 Darmstadt Startup week. (photo: cesah)

At BIC Lazio facilities in Rome, with the cooperation of University of Rome Tor Vergata and Copernicus Relay italiano Lazio Connect, a four-days training is going to be a really sold-out event. From 8 to 26 of June, all people are attending a general but at the same time in-depth talks, introducing Earth Observation, Copernicus program and the possibility of using geo data and satellite data also for business ideas. And no seats are empty.

In the parterre there are students, engineers, entrepreneurs, architects, physicists, and firefighters too. This proves that the aim of FabSpace 2.0 project to involve people with no Remote Sensing background is going well. The Fab Space local training indeed is addressed to people that want to approach the theme, giving necessary competences for using satellite data and information. A basic free knowledge, to develop services and innovative digital ‘Earth observation based’ applications, useful to participate to fab space challenges.

The next 30 June in fact is the dead line for the Italian local challenge submission.

Topics of training (find here the program):

Introduction to Remote Sensing and Copernicus free data (Valerio Caroselli, Lazio Connect)

Introduction to Optic and Multispectral Remote Sensing (Fabio Del Frate, University of Rome Tor vergata)

Introduction to Microwave Remote Sensing (Fabio Del Frate, University of Rome Tor vergata)

Practical exercises about SAR, Optic and Multispectral Remote Sensing (Matteo Picchiani, University of Rome Tor Vergata)

The next 30 June is the dead line for the Italian local challenge submission: Improve the planning, operation and maintenance of transport infrastructures.

Transport is vital to the well-functioning of economic activities and a key to ensuring social well-being and cohesion of populations. Transport ensures everyday mobility of people and is crucial to the production and distribution of goods. Adequate transport infrastructure is a fundamental precondition for transport systems and is one of the most important factors for a country’s progress and competitiveness.

Since the mid-1990s, spending on transport infrastructure has increased significantly across Europe, reaching a peak in 2009. It has subsequently decreased each year. Despite these reductions, in 2014, the level of spending was 8 % higher than in 1995. Roads and rails, by far, attract most of the spending.

Infrastructure growth is slowing, so the maintenance, preservation, and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure are becoming increasingly more important. As public funding shifts from construction to maintenance, maintenance organizations become more accountable to administrators, politicians, and the public for a safe, convenient, and accessible transportation system. This shift in emphasis brings new governance and institutional issues.

Innovations in management systems, resources, materials, technology, equipment, and work methods help improve maintenance effectiveness and efficiency at the network and activity levels. Technology is changing the kinds of information that are available and must be maintained and, as a result, new maintenance procedures and different set of skills are being developed.

The present challenge is aimed at identifying innovative solutions that supports roads and rails planning, operation and maintenance by both transport infrastructure operators and Public Administrations that have policy and controlling roles.

The area of interest will be Italy and in particular Rome and its surroundings.

The remote sensing imagery provided comes from the Sentinel 1 and Sentinel 2 platforms.

Here the challenge announcement.

Find more info at BIC Lazio web site

Which are the climate change impacts on agriculture at global level? How can satellite Earth observations help in this contest? Dr. Hideki Kanamaru from FAO explained some of these issues at the workshop prof. Fabio Del Frate organized on April, 4 at the School of Engineering at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has been actively working to contribute to national policy planning on climate change, agriculture, and food security – Dr. Kanamaru underlined -. We need to understand better how climate change will affect agriculture and food security. Without that information, countries cannot plan climate change adaptation strategically.

How this can be achieved? Students and researchers took part at the discussion keeping more and more interesting the event.

There are three pillars in climate smart agriculture: increase, in a sustainable manner, productivity and income growth in agriculture; support adaptation across the agricultural sectors to expected climatic changes and build resilience; reduce, where possible, the greenhouse gas emissions of production systems.

For these purposes future approaches would be focused on the use of remote sensing in addressing climate change impact assessments (Filling spatial gaps in observation; investigating on difficult-to-measure variables such as soil moisture or vegetation amounts and types)

The use of remote sensing data is basic for analysis of historical trend; monitoring of current condition; early warning of developing condition (e.g. drought, pests and diseases); nowcasting of rapidly developing extreme events (e.g. flooding, landslide); forecasting (today, tomorrow, 3-days, week, month, season, decades).

The presentation provided an overview of the global issue with a focus on impacts of climate variability on the agriculture sectors and adaptation planning in developing countries. Ideas for enhancing the use of innovative technologies and of datasets from remote sensing and other sources to fill the information gap in the most vulnerable parts of the world should be solicited.

Everywhere and every time!

The first FabSpace 2.0 Open Day in Italy was held on 9 of March at the School of Engineering of University of Rome Tor Vergata.

Everybody interested in business opportunity and innovation from Earth Obs and Geo data were welcomed by the FabSpace team of Rome Tor Vergata. Experts from national research institutes and from the European and Italian space agencies showed the applicative possibilities of those data: protection of territory and environment, infrastructure design and maintenance, agricultural practices, could be improved thanks to satellite data access and geo-referred information already available in open-data world. Have a look at the agenda.

“Nowadays that we live in an era where space platform provide constantly an enormous amount of data, FabSpace has to be a physical place, where solid tech-sci competences may conceive a new generation of services based on satellite data, or other geo-data – stresses prof. Fabio Del Frate, FabSpace 2.0 project responsible for Italy – The goal is to give and realize these services for young entrepreneurial realities to be launched. New enterprises can innovate productive procedures in strategic sectors such as agro-food, transportations, infrastructures, territory and urban areas management”.

FabSpace shop at University of Rome Tor Vergata has been inaugurated on 20 of February and already starts with its creative help desk duty for people interested in Geo-Data.

Find here opening times and how to reach.