Earth Observation: Unite or Fail.

International cooperation is paramount in the realm of Earth observation, as highlighted at the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Living Planet Symposium 2025 in Vienna. The “Breaking Barriers” plenary presentation underscored that collaboration is not merely an idealistic concept but a fundamental necessity for Earth science, climate resilience, and disaster response.

Collaboration From Orbit

Leaders from space agencies across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, along with representatives from the United Nations and international science bodies, convened to discuss the importance of working together. Many reflected on decades of joint missions that have significantly enhanced our understanding of Earth systems, including oceans, forests, greenhouse gases, and glaciers.

Hironori Maejima of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) emphasised that international cooperation is essential for both large and small-scale missions. Similarly, Kandasri Limpakom from Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) and Ariel Blanco from the Philippines Space Agency highlighted the critical role of partnerships in developing regional capacity and local expertise.

• Capacity Building: Partnerships enable the development of space technology and informative technology to address national challenges.
• Disaster Risk Management: Earth observation provides crucial insights for disaster risk reduction, industrial management, and environmental monitoring.
• Community Focus: Bringing the benefits of Earth observation to villages, communities, and individuals is a key priority.

For emerging space nations, collaboration extends beyond scientific advancement to encompass sovereignty, safety, and securing a position on the global stage. Tidiane Ouettara, President of the African Space Agency, noted that space endeavours inherently require collaboration, as no single institution or country can afford to undertake them alone.

ESA’s Simonetta Cheli highlighted the evolution of cooperation from simple data sharing to the joint development of missions. Projects such as EarthCARE with JAXA and Sentinel-6 with NASA demonstrate the amplified impact of pooling expertise.

A Golden Age Through Collaboration

Karen St. Germain of NASA proclaimed the current era a “golden age” for Earth science, driven by new satellite missions and unprecedented data access. This success, however, is the result of decades of sustained strategic partnerships built on trust.

Paul Bate of the UK Space Agency and chair of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) stressed the importance of avoiding duplication, preventing fragmentation, and enhancing cooperation to maximise impact. The abundance of data available to the global scientific community necessitates a collaborative approach to analysis and utilisation.

ESA’s Strategy 2040 reflects this vision, advocating for “autonomy with cooperation,” where Europe maintains leadership while remaining globally connected.

Science Without Borders

While global divisions may be increasing, Earth science operates in the opposite direction. Natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and droughts transcend national boundaries, and so do the satellites monitoring them.

Kandasri Limpakom emphasised that the challenges faced today are global in nature, encompassing climate change and extreme events that cannot be overcome by a single entity. International partnerships are essential for addressing these challenges effectively.

The UN’s IPCC reports rely on long-term, globally sourced satellite data, which is made possible through decades of inter-agency cooperation and shared standards. Initiatives like the Global Forest Observations Initiative, Sentinel Asia, and the UN’s Space for Sustainable Development Goals translate satellite data into actionable insights, including flood warnings, deforestation tracking, and improved food security.

The UN Spider program, dedicated to disaster management and space technology, exemplifies successful collaboration, bringing together regional support officers, space agencies, universities, and centres of excellence to support its mandate.

Facing the Future Together

Looking ahead, ESA and its partners are not only planning future missions but also reimagining collaboration in a world shaped by artificial intelligence, big data, and climate urgency.

ESA’s Technology Strategy 2040 envisions faster, smarter, and more connected satellites capable of communicating across international borders and responding to events like wildfires or methane leaks in real-time. However, ensuring that the right people can effectively utilise this technology remains a significant challenge.

Aarti Holla-Maini of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs raised concerns about the “last mile problem,” where vital data fails to reach those who need it most. Despite the availability of free or archived data, a significant data divide persists, hindering progress.

Addressing this requires outreach beyond scientific and policy circles. Christian Feichtinger of the International Astronautical Federation emphasised the need to engage the general public, who ultimately fund these programs.

Balancing global reach with local relevance is also crucial. Tailoring tools to specific communities, incorporating local knowledge, education, and fostering partnerships are essential for a user-focused approach aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 17, which is dedicated to partnerships.

The Promise of Space

At the symposium, ESA celebrated 50 years of space science and cooperation. However, a warning was issued regarding the growing global divide in access to space capabilities, potentially limiting the ability of many countries to respond to planetary crises.

This divide extends beyond technology to encompass fairness, opportunity, and the ability to address real-world challenges like climate change and food insecurity. Paul Bate concluded by emphasising the importance of learning from past successes and viewing space as a beacon of hope, rather than succumbing to potential pitfalls.