In a world where territorial challenges are increasingly relevant, small satellites have become essential tools for integrated observation, management and evaluation. In Catalonia, NewSpace Catalunya strategy promoted by the Generalitat represents a commitment to the future of the space economy, committed to merging technology and knowledge in a project with real social and economic impacts and returns.

Since 2020, the ICGC has been actively participating in the development of the NewSpace Catalonia strategy, collaborating with institutions such as the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) and the I2CAT Foundation and with the Government of Catalonia.

The role of the ICGC in this strategy is based on six axes:

• Ecosystem: We promote a governance model that connects local and international actors, and creates synergies and new opportunities for collaboration. We have participated in events such as the NewSpace Economy 2022 and 2023, where we moderated debates on sustainable cities or humanitarian crises, as well as Copernicus4Regions, in the European Parliament.
• Research and innovation: We lead pioneering projects in Earth observation and technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT). We have contributed to projects such as INNOTEC_EOSMS, with the analysis of phenological anomalies in crops, and we have developed solutions applied to the control of pastures, coastlines and frosts.
• Talent and society: We train and inspire future generations of professionals in the space sector. We work with industrial PhD students in Earth observation and artificial intelligence, and provide training on satellite data at the School of Public Administration of Catalonia. We also participate in initiatives such as Joves i Ciència.
• Infrastructure and data: We develop advanced processes for the processing of satellite data, such as the FAST_TRACK workflow, which processes data from the Menut satellite. We also participate in new missions such as GENEO-01, with radiometric and geometric calibration protocols that guarantee the quality of the data.
• Service adoption: We work to apply satellite data in strategic sectors such as agriculture, forest management and cartography. We have developed projects for the monitoring of fire protection strips, forest health and coastal monitoring.
• Legal framework: We collaborate in the definition of the Catalan Space Office, helping to structure the sector through agreements with the IEEC and I2CAT.

The MENUT satellite and data, at your fingertips

Imatge

Among the most outstanding contributions of the ICGC within the framework of NewSpace, is the work related to the images of the first Earth observation satellite of the Catalan strategy Newspace, called Menut. 

We have developed a tool that puts the data it collects at your service. Through the Menut viewer, we offer several levels of processing to cover different needs:

• L1N: Basic format, with geometrically precise data, ideal for preliminary analyses.

• L1C: Data with absolute radiometric calibration, useful for advanced calculations such as spectral indices.

• L2A: Data with atmospheric corrections, especially indicated for biophysical studies and detailed analyses.

These formats include technical metadata, which guarantee transparency, reuse and better use and exploitation of the images.

Practical applications

The projects led by the ICGC combine technological innovation and practical utility, with tangible impacts on society. We highlight, among others:

• Monitoring forest health and fire protection strips, using data from the Menut satellite.
• Tracking frost and extreme weather events, offering support to the agricultural sector.
• Monitoring the coastline to analyze its evolution and prevent environmental impacts.
• Developing tools such as the GENEO_01-MENUT viewer, which allows you to easily consult and download data.

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Delimitation of forest fires and evolution (Pont de Vilomara Fire, July 2022)
[MENUT B7.B3.B2 –IRC]

In addition, we actively participate in events where the strategy is visualized, such as the Mobile World Congress, Smart Cities Congress or Newspace Economy. We also collaborate with scientific and educational institutions to foster interest in NewSpace, highlighting how this technology can respond to major global challenges.

The NewSpace Catalonia strategy and the contributions of the ICGC are a reflection of the ability to achieve results through the combination of innovation, collaboration and commitment. With this strategy, Catalonia takes a step forward towards sustainability and innovation, leading a transformation with the aim of improving the well-being of people and the care of our territory.