The COVID-19 recovery: from space-based to place-based
The work of local public sector organisations can seem a long way from the latest developments in the burgeoning global space economy. Yet the cost of accessing space and building satellites is continuing to shrink. Earth observation, satellite communication and scientific exploration are no longer the preserve of national space agencies or global companies. A diverse new space economy is making it easier than ever for public sector organisations to use space-based technologies and services to help offer better public services.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. Both the NHS and local authorities have led the way in safeguarding communities throughout the lockdown and into the recovery. As part of this, they are exploring how space-based technologies can support this.
On 10 July 2020, Amanda Solloway (Minister for Science, Research and Innovation) announced funding for several such projects to support the public sector’s response to the virus. Part of a joint initiative between the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency (ESA), £2.6m of funding has been made available with £1.1m allocated to three projects so far. Two of these are specifically concerned with enabling a place-based response to the pandemic.
Delivery by drone
One of these is SEDDCR (Space-Enabled Delivery Drones for the COVID Response). The project uses drones to deliver medical supplies and samples to and from remote communities off the west coast of Scotland faster than by road and ferry. This uses a combination of mobile connectivity, satellite navigation and Earth observation data to enable autonomous travel between the mainland and nearby islands beyond visual line of sight.
After a successful trial in the Spring, it is planned for testing to be expanded over the Winter. This will help NHS Highland deal with any potential second wave during the colder months and will further prove the viability of the technology for use elsewhere.
Finding the most vulnerable
Also based in Scotland is a project that uses satellite and terrestrial data to help local authorities identify vulnerable communities that may need targeted support. This is particularly important as the most at risk are often less likely to seek out support while the virus remains at large, widening health inequalities.
Called Isolation +, the solution combines data on cold air weather patterns and pollution with terrestrial health and economic data, such as life expectancy rates and levels of deprivation. These variables can be overlaid to create a heat map identifying where the most at-risk individuals are located. Support can then be targeted at those most vulnerable to the virus due to poverty or age.
The solution will also link with Crowdless, a free app that uses satellite data to help people socially distance. The app’s data will be integrated so that volunteers can offer services to vulnerable individuals in a socially distanced setting.
There are currently plans to deploy Isolation + across the UK before also expanding worldwide. This should be relatively straightforward since it is based on an existing solution which geographically visualises fuel poverty.
Room to go further
If any of these projects are to form a tangible part of the public sector’s long-term response to COVID-19, it is vital successful trials are expanded as soon as possible. It is also important that those involved, both from the public and private sector sides, engage with other local public sector organisations facing similar difficulties.
From the Government’s perspective, while these schemes are already underway, they are keen to find other ways space-based technologies and services can be used to support the recovery. Although £1.1m of funding has already been allocated, a further £1.5m is still up for grabs. Both the UK Space Agency and ESA are still looking to fund further bids with the call for ideas remaining open until 30 September 2020.
Robert Stoneman, Principal Analyst, UK Local Government Technology, GlobalData
Twitter: @Dr_Rob_Stonemans