High-Level Project Summary
In this challenge, my team mate and I focused on exploring the benefits of satellite observations on the prediction and adapting of agricultural resources in impoverished nations. It has been proven that many countries in Africa often suffer severe droughts and yet it has also been proven that these droughts and other agricultural problems can be identified using satellite observations. As such, this project aims at exploring this collaboration between governments and space agencies to prove, and develop, an application that can help local farmers utilize the incredible benefits of space observations to improve their yearly agricultural yield.
Link to Project "Demo"
Link to Final Project
Detailed Project Description
Our project consists of a website page which assembles collective data and an analysis using research found by our team using many internal and external resources provided. We examined two independent situations and using examples connected them to our theme of earth observations and data collection. Finally we proceeded to present to benefits to the world around us.
Space Agency Data
In this project, we used an array of difference data provided by several space agencies.
Hackathon Journey
I believe our team was able to learn during the Space Apps experience... ELABORATE HERE
As a pair of high school students, we were quite limited in the selection of a challenge. Not being able to approach more complex challenges, such as developing advanced AI/ML software or fully running apps and yet not wanting to take on one of the 'easier' challenges, such as creating artwork or an interactive game, this challenge seemed one of the natural picks. We are both fascinated by aerospace engineering, specifically the work NASA is doing in preventing several climate detriments. Additionally, we consider ourselves trend setters and students interested in challenging the status quo and building to a more innovative society. As such, seeing the opportunity to spread awareness, and possible even to develop a method/prototype of an application to ease the access to specific satellite observations to impoverished and underprivileged nations was a brilliant opportunity. As such, we set on this journey, motivated and ready to work.
Our approach to developing this project was quite simple. At first we were set on following the guidelines of the challenge to the millimeter. Yet, as we progressed, we noticed we had much more latitude and decided to take the project in a direction that interested the both of us. Since this project can be incredibly diverse we decided to focus on one specific way that satellite observations help a certain group of people, and go from there.
Luckily enough, we didn't face too many setbacks. However, that is not to say that we did not face a few confusions and tough moments, wondering where to begin, how to start and what to explore. Fortunately, with research and a broad reading of the SpaceApps website we were able to push through. In essence, our main thought process in dealing with setbacks was remembering that this is for fun only and to not get discouraged.
Finally, I think we'd both like to thank NASA and all the organizers at both SpaceApps international and the ASX Space Society in Toronto for organizing this brilliant opportunity. We were able to spend a superb weekend learning a lot about our planet! So, thank you!
References
https://earth.esa.int/eogateway/news/using-satellite-data-to-predict-floods-and-droughts
https://gca.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/GlobalCommission_Report_FINAL.pdf
https://eo4society.esa.int/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Caribou-Space_ESA-EO-for-Agenda-2030-v2.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lARpY0nIQx0
https://smap.jpl.nasa.gov/
https://www.nasa.gov/jpl/smap/satellite-data-help-farmers-facing-drought-20140814/
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4590
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/2/104/htm
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdata.2020.00010/full
Global Judging
This project has been submitted for consideration during the Judging process.