EOMasters Newsletter #024
19/05/2024
Hello EO-Masters!
This time I have something for the developers among you in the EOMasters News section. One of the news is really funny 😀but also shows the power 💪🏻of the developer community.
As usual, the other sections are filled with various news from the field of Earth Observation and beyond.
Due to my summer holiday, the next newsletter will not arrive in your inbox until 23 June.
Let's now continue with the latest news.
In this Issue:
EOMasters News
Homemade Public Maven Repository
Ancient Reference in Java API Doc
EO and RS
NASA Picks Proposals for a New Series of Earth Scientific Missions
Enhancing Air Quality Monitoring Through Inter-Agency Collaboration
European State of the Climate 2023 Report
5 Things to Know About NASA’s Tiny Twin Polar Satellites
AI in Earth Observation: A Force for Good
Diversity and Inclusion in the EU Space Sector
Software, Tools and Services
GDAL 3.9.0 Is Released
Transition From FTP to Ftps for Gosat Data Dissemination System
Landsat Next: Preparing for the Data Flood
Beyond EO
Researchers Use a C64 for Quantum Computer Calculations
EOMasters News
Homemade Public Maven Repository
When building Maven artifacts, deploying them to the public can be a challenge due to strict requirements. These include signing files with GPG/PGP and adhering to specific groupId conventions. But what if you want to share your artifacts without the hassle? Simply setup your own repository at GitHub! 🚀
Ancient Reference in Java API Doc
I found this reference to the ancient Netscape Communicator in the Java API documentation and because I really laughed my ass off 🤣, I wanted to share it and posted it on my social media channels (Do you already follow?).
Only 12 hours later an issue in the bug database was created along with a pull-request and not even 24 hours later it was resolved.
A funny little success story, I would say.
EO and RS News
NASA Picks Proposals for a New Series of Earth Scientific Missions
NASA has chosen four Earth science mission proposals for further study under the Earth System Explorer program, each receiving $5 million for initial research. The selected missions focus on atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial measurements. Additionally, NASA is developing the GRATTIS smallsat mission to test new gravitational field sensors. Final mission selections are expected by 2030 and 2032.
Enhancing Air Quality Monitoring Through Inter-Agency Collaboration
ESA and NASA are enhancing air quality monitoring through inter-agency cooperation, utilizing satellites to track pollutants and greenhouse gases more effectively. This collaboration aims to provide better data for policymakers and scientists to address air pollution and its impacts. The initiative emphasizes the importance of global partnerships in tackling environmental challenges.
European State of the Climate 2023 Report
The Copernicus report highlights 2023 as a year of extreme weather in Europe, with record wildfires, severe floods, and unprecedented heatwaves. The continent faced significant climate impacts, including extensive flood damages and rising heat-related health issues. Despite these challenges, Europe also saw a notable increase in renewable energy usage, surpassing fossil fuels for electricity generation.
5 Things to Know About NASA’s Tiny Twin Polar Satellites
NASA's PREFIRE mission features twin CubeSats designed to study the heat radiation from Earth's polar regions. These small satellites will provide crucial data on how the Arctic and Antarctic emit far-infrared energy, improving climate models and our understanding of polar climate dynamics. This innovative mission leverages lower-cost technology to address key questions about Earth's energy balance and climate change.
AI in Earth Observation: A Force for Good
ESA is leveraging AI in Earth observation to enhance data analysis and provide critical insights for societal benefits. AI aids in tasks like automatic detection from satellite images and predictive modeling, supporting projects such as climate forecasting and mapping school locations. This technology improves efficiency, enabling better decision-making and fostering new commercial opportunities in the space sector.
Diversity and Inclusion in the EU Space Sector
The EU space sector is enhancing inclusion and diversity through initiatives like the European Diversity Charters. Despite challenges, efforts are being made to address gender and age discrimination, support people with disabilities, and promote diverse teams. These actions aim to foster innovation, financial success, and a welcoming environment for all backgrounds in the space industry
Software, Tools and Services
GDAL 3.9.0 Is Released
The latest version of GDAL (3.9.0) brings enhancements and fixes. Notable improvements include improved support for Sentinel-2 L1C imagery and additional features for GDAL Vector Formats. Bug fixes address issues like handling of GPKG layers and TIFF compression. GDAL users will find this update beneficial for their geospatial projects.
Landsat Next: Preparing for the Data Flood
Preparation for the upcoming Landsat Next mission is underway to handle the expected data influx. USGS EROS discusses plans for data storage, distribution, and processing improvements. Landsat Next aims to continue the legacy of Earth observation, providing valuable data for research and applications in various fields.
Beyond EO
Researchers Use a C64 for Quantum Computer Calculations
In a playful challenge to IBM’s claim that only quantum computers can perform certain calculations, researchers used a vintage Commodore 64 (C64) to successfully simulate ferromagnetic material behaviour, a task typically done by quantum computers. Dubbed the “Qommodore 64”, the team programmed it with 2,500 lines of 6502-Assembler-Code, achieving accurate results in four minutes per data point, showcasing the C64’s energy efficiency. The humorous paper offers the source code in unconventional formats, like on an old VHS tape, or handwritten copy on papyrus.
Newsletter Archive
For past editions of this newsletter, you can visit the archive.
That's it for this issue. I hope you enjoyed this collection of news. Stay tuned for the next edition, which will arrive in your inbox in about two weeks.
Tschüss and Goodbye!
Marco
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