Innovation, Commercialization, and Sustainability of Earth Observation in Space Business: Tensions and Paradoxes

Abstract

Due to globalization, digitalization, and technological advancements, the space business sector and satellite-based Earth Observation (EO) are growing exponentially. Through satellites, EO enables the monitoring of atmosphere, land, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Numerous applications for numerous industries can be developed. All these factors are bringing new tensions and paradoxes for leaders of EO organizations. This article addresses five major tensions and paradoxes. First, should leaders look at EO sustainability from financial and/or environmental/social perspectives? Should EO projects and EO companies be public and/or private funded? Second, should they be tech-push and/or market-pull? Should the communication focus on technical attributes and/or buyers’ market pains? Should the price be cost-based and/or market-driven? Third, should EO eCommerce solutions be developed for the global and/or local markets? How to pass the message to the global and/or local market? Should EO leaders focus on benefiting from economies of scale and/or satisfying customized needs? Fourth, should the business models of EO marketplaces and online stores be centralized and/or decentralized? Should they bring the suppliers and customers on-board earlier, during, and/or late in the process? Finally, which governance model should be adopted for large consortia and EU projects? How to manage cooperation and/or competition in business and innovation ecosystems?