Few weeks ago Estonian entrepreneurs and public administration members visited Italy, where European Space Agency’s (ESA) earth observation center collects hundreds of gigabytes of satellite information daily.

ESRIN is one of the establishments of ESA. It is located in Frascatti, Italy in center site area of 80 000 square meters and its primary tasks are to manage earth observation data and provide informatics services.

30 ground stations

ESRIN coordinates over 30 ground stations for the reception of satellite data, which are the transmitted to Frascatti for processing, filing and distribution for final users. In addition the organization develops software applications and is in charge of the management of of informatics services operations for all of the ESA’s establishments. Hundreds of gigabytes of information is processed in ESRIN every day.

“People ask why do we (ESA) need to send astronauts to space, but no one asks any more why do we collect data for earth observation,” says Dieter Isakeit, PR guy from ESRIN.

Satellites are part of our everyday life

Either we are talking about hurricanes, earthquakes, land and ocean surfaces, climate change, traffic, security or city planning issues, you name it – they all require satellite data.

ESRIN people tried to explain to Estonian delegation that there are about a million possibilities to use satellite information and more importantly – make business with it. You just have to use your imagination, get inspired.

Some new Estonian ideas already

And some of us did too. Teet Jagomägi, CEO of Regio said he already has a plan. And we well publish soon a post, where a new Estonian start-up Nycosat will disclose its interesting idea. How the earth observation information is used and what was the message for Estonian delegation, see from the video.