The EO challenge: Safeguarding radio frequency spectrum for a sustainable future (joint ESPI-EARSC event)

On 15 January 2025 ESPI and EARSC will organise an event titled “The Earth observation challenge: Safeguarding radio frequency spectrum for a sustainable future”, promoting a discussion about the radio spectrum, its importance for Earth observation, and its future.

The in-person event will take place at the L42 Business Center, at Rue de la Loi 42, 1040, Brussels, Belgium, between 14:30-18:00 CEST.

You can now register using this link. Additional information will be provided closer to the event.

The radio spectrum is a finite and increasingly congested resource utilised by actors across a variety of spheres — from mobile communications to remote sensing. With a plethora of actors vying for this precious resource, however, uninterrupted access of some services to their dedicated spectrum bands is increasingly challenged.

Of particular concern is a potential opening of the frequencies currently allocated exclusively for remote sensing to other actors. The potential interference from sharing the frequencies could put uninterrupted EO data sharing at risk if spectrum coordination is not pursued through a level-playing field. ESPI-EARSC panel discussion, which will feature speakers from both industry and institutions, will focus on the feasibility and alternatives to such reallocation, as well as the future of the radio spectrum and its accessibility for actors across domains more broadly.

After the interactive panel discussion, the event will continue with a networking coffee break sponsored by ESPI and EARSC.

The preliminary agenda is as follows:

• Welcome from ESPI & EARSC
• Keynote speech: Setting the scene
• Panel discussion and Q&A on the state of play and next implementing steps.
• Closing speech
• Networking coffee break

The event is supported by Airbus.