What's in a Name? Interaction and Evolution in the Geospatial, Space, and Earth Observation Communities

SWF and the Silicon Valley Space Business Roundtable (SVSBR) partnered to host a panel discussion looking at the changing relationships among the geospatial, space, and Earth observation communities, and the implications of how these communities are defined. Topics discussed included the relationship of government capabilities to private sector capabilities, the increasing role of small satellites and agile aerospace principles, and geospatial standards as means to address interoperability challenges. 

As the commercial space, data analytics, and remote sensing industries grow, the interactions among these communities become increasingly complex. Traditional distinctions between actors, applications, and communities are blurring as businesses assume new roles across the entire geospatial information value chain. This dynamic has implications for the way businesses approach markets, for how private and government stakeholders interact, for how policy and legal frameworks develop, and for how data is sourced, analyzed, and eventually utilized. Issues raised range from the definition of stakeholder roles and responsibilities, to oversight and licensing, to the interoperability of disparate data sources and analysis platforms.

Speakers:

• Joe Mascaro, Program Manager for Impact Initiatives, Planet
• Phil McGillivary, US Coast Guard PACAREA, Science Liaison
• Kevin O’Connell, CEO, Innovative Analytics
• Scott Simmons, Executive Director, Standards Program, Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC)
• Jessica “JB” Young, Co-Chair, United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation Small Satellite Working Group
• Ian Christensen, Project Manager, Secure World Foundation (moderator)

For more details, please click here or contact SWF Project Manager Ian Christensen.