We have won three SSGP(Space for Smarter Government) projects funded by the UK Space Agency. SSGP is a strategic, national, programme established and led by the UK Space Agency in 2014 and delivered in collaboration with the Satellite Applications Catapult to drive the uptake and use of space products, data and services across government departments.

The three projects won by Environment Systems are as follows:

• ‘MEOW’ (Making Earth Observation Work) – This is an extension of the work we have been doing for DEFRA and JNCC to establish Earth Observation in biodiversity conservation. The project will include further validation of national requirements for EO data products with partners.
• ‘Greening the CAP’ – The European Commission is introducing a package of ‘greening’ measures that European farmers will need to satisfy to receive direct payments made under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).This project will investigate the use of Earth Observation techniques and data requirements to help improve the Rural Payments Agency’s effectiveness, reduce operating costs and EC financial penalties on the government.
• ‘Upland Land Management Monitoring Using Sentinel SAR’ – This project involves developing the use of earth observation radar data (SAR) for mapping heather burns in upland landscapes. SAR data is useful because it can be captured regardless of prevailing weather conditions. Burning is used to control heather growing on grouse moors. The project focus areas are the North York Moors and the Peak District. We will be using the latest Sentinel 1a satellite, C-Band SAR data at 5m resolution to produce a burn map.