The Problem with the Space Economy

Member Spotlight – Astro Dynamic have recently joined the Space East Cluster and we are pleased to share their first article for our newsletter, thanks Astro Dynamic! Credit Stuart Ryan Allan (Founder).

Space exploration and utilisation suffer from numerous misconceptions, often stemming from poor communication, oversimplification, and media misrepresentation. These misunderstandings have significantly impacted space operations and wider market engagement. Ultimately, hindering development and shifts focus too much on quick fixes rather than long-term sustainable solutions. I wanted to explore some of these complex challenges facing the space industry by building an ecosystem focused on sustainable operations and growth.

These Common Misconceptions include.

1. “Safe” Re-entry Burn-up: Contrary to popular belief, satellite re-entry is not entirely “safe.” While larger debris may not hit populated areas, the materials of a satellite are aerosolized and spread into the upper atmosphere, potentially affecting the global environment.
2. The Myth of “Unused” Orbits and Space Debris: With the rapid development of space technology, particularly in Low Earth Orbits (LEO), the notion of safe, unused orbits is becoming unsustainable. Space is increasingly crowded, presenting new challenges for satellite operators and space traffic management with the ever-increasing number of debris left behind.
3. Universal Access to Space: The idea that space is accessible to everyone oversimplifies the complex reality. Accessing space resources involves navigating intricate legislation, security concerns, and regulatory obligations on a global scale.

As customer market engagement has always been a huge driving factor of development and innovation, Universal Access to Space is where I decided to focus myself. Equally, it is an often looked over area ripe for novel solutions. This led to a deep dive into the black hole of data legislation. Simply put it was a supplier relations nightmare with risks, financial and legal, not just for the customers but also the suppliers and service providers as well. This is where I saw a real opportunity to innovate, by not only streamlining and improving on these processes, but provide value back to the suppliers in market insights on what consumers want. So began the journey to establish Astro Dynamic.

Market Engagement

The complexity of accessing space-based services, particularly Earth Observation Data, is a major barrier to adopters. Unlike simple terrestrial transactions, space data acquisition involves:

• Data export and import controls.
• Security checks.
• Considerations of data types intended use, and resolution.
• Sensor type and spectrum usage.
• Complex pricing plans.
• Transaction and supplier assurance.

Furthermore, the need for frequent data updates often requires engaging with multiple suppliers, each with their own set of requirements and checks.

The Path Forward

Astro Dynamic has been focusing our efforts on developing a platform we call ‘Data Sphere,’ designed from the ground up to address the complex challenges in the space data market. This innovative solution aims to create a unified marketplace for consumers and suppliers of Earth Observation data, streamlining the entire process from acquisition to utilization.

Key Features of Data Sphere include.

1. Automated Compliance: The platform handles supplier assurance, regulatory requirements, legal obligations, and transactional processes automatically, significantly reducing barriers to entry.
2. Impartiality: Astro Dynamic does not compete with suppliers on the platform, allowing data providers, processors, and analytic developers to operate freely and engage directly with consumers.
3. Non-discriminatory Access: All data suppliers are treated equally, with no prioritization of one provider over another.
4. Streamlined Transactions: The platform simplifies the process of acquiring space-based data, making it as straightforward as everyday purchases.
5. Quality Feedback and Market Trends: Data Sphere incorporates a robust feedback system, allowing consumers to rate and review the quality of data supplied. This feature not only helps maintain high standards but also provides valuable insights into market trends and user preferences, guiding suppliers in improving their offerings and helping consumers make informed decisions.

Empowering the Space Data Ecosystem

By focusing on the transactional aspects of data acquisition and incorporating quality feedback mechanisms, Astro Dynamic is addressing critical needs in the rapidly growing space data market. The potential for real-time data access to positively impact humanity is immense, but it can only be fully realized if the engagement process is seamless, efficient, and quality-driven.

Simplifying the complex web of regulations, security checks, and supplier interactions, while also providing valuable market insights, Data Sphere provides a streamlined managed alternative to the current acquisition solutions. As overhead complexity grows with the rapid pace of this market, Data Sphere is a crucial tool for unlocking the full potential of Earth Observation data for the benefit of industries, researchers, and public bodies alike.