Developments in space are helping humans on Earth achieve net zero, said Joel Spark, co-founder and general manager of space services – Spire.

Speaking at the Space-Comm Expo 2022, he said space had a “massive role to play”, not only in monitoring the environment itself, but integrating data from space in people’s operational decision making.

Asked if he believed the goal of reaching net zero was achievable, he replied: “100 per cent. I mean, 50 per cent of the key climate variables that will be needed to achieve net zero as a species can only be captured from space.

“There is amazing technology development going on in the launch industry, which is obviously a huge part of that.

“Space has a massive role to play not only in monitoring the environment itself, but integrating data from space in people’s operational decision making.”

Breaking down barriers to entry

Commenting on the role of Spire within the space sector, he explained: “What we seek to do is do for the space industry, what cloud computing did for the web, so breaking down those barriers to entry.

“Everyone thinks of getting to space on the rocket, but what do you do once you’re there. If your one satellite is working, how do you grow that to 10, 20, 100, 1,000 and still operate that system as a cohesive whole without needing to think about ground stations, and operations.

“We put customers in direct control of their payload.”
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