CATALYST first to offer CEOS compliant SAR
Image courtesy PCI Geomatics Enterprise
This achievement underscores CATALYST’s collaboration with major space agencies, including JAXA and NASA, in advancing analysis-ready data (ARD), aligning with CEOS’ efforts in biodiversity monitoring. CATALYST has also initiated the peer review process to gain CEOS compliance for its Surface Reflectance product family specification, further expanding commitment to data quality and standardisation.
With over 40 years of experience in image processing and data integration, CATALYST has developed advanced ARD processing pipelines for both multispectral optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites. These innovations are especially timely as the industry experiences increasing demand for multitemporal data extraction and the integration of big data and AI in Earth observation
Kevin Jones, Vice President of Product, said: “We’re proud to be at the forefront of ARD technology. Our sensor-agnostic approach to ARD production aligns with CEOS’ mission to standardise and ensure the quality of Earth observation data, supporting critical research and scientific efforts to address the impacts of climate change.”
Partnering with CEOS to achieve these certifications allows CATALYST to highlight the increasing importance and value of multi-temporal analysis. In today’s data-driven world, standards are more critical than ever, ensuring that individuals, businesses and space agencies can rely on data to deliver scientifically validated insights. PCI Geomatics, through CATALYST, is becoming the first commercial entity to offer sensor-agnostic ARD product generation capabilities that meet CEOS compliance standards.
Dr Paul Bate, CEO, UK Space Agency and Chairman of CEOS, said: "Commercialisation in the space sector are key to accelerating innovation, expanding access and driving sustainable growth.
“By fostering collaboration between private enterprises and governmental space agencies, we can unlock new technologies, create jobs and make space more accessible. Strong partnerships between industry leaders like CATALYST and CEOS, fuel this competitive environment by reducing costs, multiplying opportunities and making breakthroughs happen faster."
CATALYST recognises the pivotal role CEOS plays in defining global Earth observation data standards. This achievement also reflects the powerful collaboration between CEOS and space agencies, like the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), which supported CATALYST in advancing its scientific capabilities. CATALYST’s expertise has been used by other agencies, including the South African National Space Agency (Sansa), during the development of the SPOT ARD workflow, further showcasing CATALYST’s commitment to driving innovation in Earth observation technologies across both public and commercial sectors.
