The Global Centre for Risk and Innovation (GCRI)
Topics at Space and Earth Observation: the pages in this section are listed below, each with its own scope and status.
GCRI · In development · service level R0
The Space and Earth Observation topics are the eight subject dossiers of its field, among them Earth observation sensors, spatial temporal evidence and space system resilience. Each dossier sets out how the risk develops, what is measured and in which units, the public sources and their licences, the methods, who decides and the limits of the evidence.
GCRI is a research, development and policy institution. It is not a regulator, and it does not certify, license or approve; its findings carry their methods and uncertainty.
The topics run from sensors and evidence through space system resilience and communications to applications in water, agriculture and disasters, and the sustainability and governance of space.
Each term as this page uses it. Where a standard-setting body defines the term, the wording follows that body.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Multispectral sensor | A sensor that records reflected light in several distinct wavelength bands. |
| Atmospheric correction | Removing the effects of the atmosphere to retrieve surface reflectance from satellite signals. |
| Ground segment | The ground stations, control centres and networks that operate satellites and receive their data. |
| PNT | Positioning, navigation and timing services, most commonly provided by GNSS. |
| Vegetation index | A combination of spectral bands that indicates the amount and vigour of green vegetation. |
The bodies and documents this page is read against. Status and editions change; each link goes to the issuing body.
Optical, radar, thermal and hyperspectral methods.
TopicGround truth, resolution and uncertainty.
TopicSatellite infrastructure and ground segment risk.
TopicGNSS, satcom and dependency.
TopicWater, crop and ecosystem applications.
TopicFlood, heat and wildfire evidence.
TopicOrbital congestion and stewardship.
TopicLicensing, privacy and data quality.
The current service level is R0: information and enquiries. An enquiry receives a reference and names the next step; applications, payments, compute allocations and registrations open only when their team, terms and review capacity exist.