Challenges in using satellite data for non-remote sensing specialists, an exploratory case study

In recent years, there has been a global trend among governments to provide free and open access to data collected by Earth-observing satellites with the purpose of maximizing the use of this data for a broad array of research and applications. Yet, there are still significant challenges facing non-...

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Main Authors: Harsha Gaddipati, Mariel Borowitz, Gavin Rolls, Xinyan Li, Gaurav Chawla, Riya Patel, Brian Woodall
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-01-01
Series:Data & Policy
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Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2632324925000070/type/journal_article
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author Harsha Gaddipati
Mariel Borowitz
Gavin Rolls
Xinyan Li
Gaurav Chawla
Riya Patel
Brian Woodall
author_facet Harsha Gaddipati
Mariel Borowitz
Gavin Rolls
Xinyan Li
Gaurav Chawla
Riya Patel
Brian Woodall
author_sort Harsha Gaddipati
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, there has been a global trend among governments to provide free and open access to data collected by Earth-observing satellites with the purpose of maximizing the use of this data for a broad array of research and applications. Yet, there are still significant challenges facing non-remote sensing specialists who wish to make use of satellite data. This commentary explores an illustrative case study to provide concrete examples of these challenges and barriers. We then discuss how the specific challenges faced within the case study illuminate some of the broader issues in data accessibility and utility that could be addressed by policymakers that aim to improve the reach of their data, increase the range of research and applications that it enables, and improve equity in data access and use.
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spelling doaj-art-8db690e877664bec8112df7e9edc0aa02025-08-20T01:57:31ZengCambridge University PressData & Policy2632-32492025-01-01710.1017/dap.2025.7Challenges in using satellite data for non-remote sensing specialists, an exploratory case studyHarsha Gaddipati0https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2840-8997Mariel Borowitz1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5238-2037Gavin Rolls2https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8310-2371Xinyan Li3Gaurav Chawla4Riya Patel5Brian Woodall6Computer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USAInternational Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USAComputer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA Network Science Institute, Northeastern University London, London, UKArchitecture, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USAComputer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USAComputer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USAInternational Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USAIn recent years, there has been a global trend among governments to provide free and open access to data collected by Earth-observing satellites with the purpose of maximizing the use of this data for a broad array of research and applications. Yet, there are still significant challenges facing non-remote sensing specialists who wish to make use of satellite data. This commentary explores an illustrative case study to provide concrete examples of these challenges and barriers. We then discuss how the specific challenges faced within the case study illuminate some of the broader issues in data accessibility and utility that could be addressed by policymakers that aim to improve the reach of their data, increase the range of research and applications that it enables, and improve equity in data access and use.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2632324925000070/type/journal_articleData accessibilitymegaregion analysisopen science data policiessatellite data and remote sensingsocial science
spellingShingle Harsha Gaddipati
Mariel Borowitz
Gavin Rolls
Xinyan Li
Gaurav Chawla
Riya Patel
Brian Woodall
Challenges in using satellite data for non-remote sensing specialists, an exploratory case study
Data & Policy
Data accessibility
megaregion analysis
open science data policies
satellite data and remote sensing
social science
title Challenges in using satellite data for non-remote sensing specialists, an exploratory case study
title_full Challenges in using satellite data for non-remote sensing specialists, an exploratory case study
title_fullStr Challenges in using satellite data for non-remote sensing specialists, an exploratory case study
title_full_unstemmed Challenges in using satellite data for non-remote sensing specialists, an exploratory case study
title_short Challenges in using satellite data for non-remote sensing specialists, an exploratory case study
title_sort challenges in using satellite data for non remote sensing specialists an exploratory case study
topic Data accessibility
megaregion analysis
open science data policies
satellite data and remote sensing
social science
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2632324925000070/type/journal_article
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