Agriculture

Weather forecasting satellites are in geostationary orbit. It takes three satellites to give global coverage.

Earth Observation satellites continually monitor different parts of the Earth’s surface, providing ongoing information of its changing activities.

Satellites provide farmers with meteorological, communications, navigation and Earth Observation data to help them stay connected.

Farmers can obtain satellite images of their fields and crops which help them to identify the optimum time to fertilise and harvest their fields.

Up-to-date maps allow farmers to adapt to changing conditions.

Farm machinery uses the data from GNSS satellites to navigate autonomously over pre-defined routes across a field. This is critical to reducing the compaction of the soil.

Earth Observation satellites provide information related to crop health and growth. This data, combined with the data from navigation satellites, enable farmers to spray agrochemicals onto the areas that need it.

Satellites can measure depth, salinity of water, and identify new possible reserves.

The agricultural sector is embracing new technologies and techniques to maximise agricultural output to feed an increasing population.  Satellites provide critical information across the growing season that when used correctly with other data sources (e.g. climate, soils) can be used to predict yield.

Crop growth can be hindered by disease and pest pressures during its growth cycle. Early detection is critical to ensuring the right intervention through the application of crop protection chemicals. Satellites monitor variations in the canopy, indicative of stress and disease.

Satellites can measure the chemicals produced by crops, alerting farmers if something is wrong. 

Crop growth dictates when a farmer should apply fertiliser. Through the use of satellite data, fields can be routinely monitored across the life cycle of a crop, providing farmers with the optimum time to use fertilisers.