A new age of public-oriented Earth observation development}{A new age of public-oriented Earth observation development

Abstract

Atmospheric, marine, and terrestrial Earth observations have been carried out by the government for half a century; their industrial characteristics notably benefit the public. The observation mode has been diversified, richer application methods have been introduced, especially the micro satellite cloud, and the observations and data-providing capabilities have been greatly improved in the past ten years due to the increasing number of satellites. Earth observations have entered the new era of big data and have become the main focus with respect to big scientific and consumption data. The industrial Earth observation development model is analyzed in this paper with respect to industrial ecological systems. The microsatellite cloud and big data technology are the two main forces of the shift of the development mode of Earth observations from public benefit-oriented to public-oriented. The study further analyzes the diverse effects of the public on Earth observation activities. We believe that the public will gradually become an active factor affecting all aspects of Earth observations. Meanwhile, public-oriented Earth observations target a bigger market. The public is both the main consumer and producer of Earth observation information. The public-oriented development model provides great opportunities for Earth observations and space-based information industry development; however, it also puts forward a series of scientific and technical challenges for the scientific community.