Cited by 34Spacecraft Design and TechnologySpace exploration and regulationRemote Sensing in Agriculture

SmallSats: a new technological frontier in ecology and conservation?

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Curnick, David J., Davies, Alasdair J., Duncan, Clare, Freeman, Robin, Jacoby, David M. P., Shelley, Hugo T. E., Rossi, Cristian, Wearn, Oliver R. +2 more·2022·Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation

Abstract

We are in the midst of a revolution in satellite technology, with the rapid development and advancement of small satellites (or SmallSats, i.e., satellites <180 kg). Here, we review the opportunities and challenges that such technology might afford in the field of conservation and ecology. SmallSat constellations may yield higher resolutions than those that are currently available to scientists and practitioners, increasing opportunities to improve environmental‐monitoring and animal‐tracking capabilities. They may cut access costs to end users, by reducing operational costs and bringing increased competition to the existing market. Their greater flexibility and affordability may moreover enable the development of bespoke constellations for specific conservation and ecological applications, and provide greater interoperability with ground‐based sensors, such as tracking devices and camera traps. In addition, SmallSats may serve as cost‐effective research and development platforms for new components and products. Combined, these benefits could significantly improve our ability to monitor threats to the environment as they unfold, while enhancing our understanding of animal ecology and ecosystem dynamics. However, significant hardware and software developments are required before such technology is able to produce, process and handle reliable and cost‐effective data, and the initial research and development costs still represent a major challenge. Further, we argue that much remains to be done to ensure these new data products become accessible, equitable and sustainable.

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Crossref · 10.1002/rse2.239

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99 of 99 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Robust EEW systems must have high detection accuracy, low detection latency, and a high sensor density to give real-time alerts.

    “The authors point out that in order to give real-time alerts, robust EEW systems must have high detection accuracy, low detection latency, and a high sensor density.”

    From A Comprehensive Survey on TinyML (2023) · cites this paper as [88]

  • Classic EEW systems rely on fixed sensor networks or, more recently, networks of mobile phones equipped with MEMS accelerometers.

    “They note that classic EEW systems rely on fixed sensor networks or, more recently, networks of mobile phones equipped with micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometers.”

    From A Comprehensive Survey on TinyML (2023) · cites this paper as [88]

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Authors
Curnick, D. J., Davies, A. J., Duncan, C., Freeman, R., Jacoby, D. M. P., Shelley, H. T. E., Rossi, C., Wearn, O. R., Williamson, M. J., & Pettorelli, N.
Affiliations
  • Zoological Society of London (GB)
  • Arribada Initiative 25 Montague Road Manchester M33 3BU UK
  • Iota Technology Unit 30, 5‐10 Corbridge Crescent London E2 9DS UK
  • Satellite Applications Catapult (United Kingdom) (GB)
  • Fauna and Flora International (GB)
Corresponding author
Curnick, David J.
Venue
Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2021-10
Volume
8
Issue
2
Pages
139-150
ISSN
2056-3485 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3203592713
Cited by
34
References
99
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 1
FWCI
2.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Lancaster EPrints (Lancaster University) (submittedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Fondation Bertarelli
  • Natural Environment Research Council (NE/L002485/1)
  • AXA Research Fund
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Spacecraft Design and Technology
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Space exploration and regulation
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Remote Sensing in Agriculture
Keywords
small satellites, satellite constellations, environmental monitoring, animal tracking, camera traps, conservation technology, ecosystem dynamics, research and development costs

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