Eyes in the Sky: Turning Earth Observation Data Into Real-World Solutions

How Europe’s satellites are helping fight disease, predict disasters, and make smarter decisions for people and the planet

Every day, satellites circling thousands of kilometers above Earth quietly gather hundreds of terabytes of data — mapping forests, oceans, air quality, cities, and even mosquito populations. Yet much of this information remains locked away, unseen and underused.

Now, a European movement is changing that. Through initiatives like EuroGEO, Copernicus, and Destination Earth, researchers are transforming this deluge of Earth observation (EO) data into actionable insights that protect lives, guide policy, and strengthen resilience to climate change.

From Space to the Swamp: Stopping Diseases Before They Spread

One of the most remarkable examples of EO in action is the Early Warning System for Mosquito-Borne Diseases (EYWA).

Since 2020, EYWA has used high-resolution satellite imagery to pinpoint mosquito breeding grounds — a breakthrough in disease control as climate change expands mosquito habitats into new regions.

“Millions are affected worldwide, and these diseases are now spreading northward into Europe,”
explains Dr. Haris Kontoes, research director at Greece’s National Observatory of Athens and coordinator of EYWA.

By combining satellite data, climate modeling, and local surveillance, EYWA helps authorities act early — spraying or draining sites before mosquitoes multiply. In some regions, this has cut populations by half.

Today, EYWA safeguards over 30 million people across continents — from farmers in Greece to communities in Cameroon.

Behind the scenes is a multidisciplinary international team blending expertise in remote sensing, epidemiology, and artificial intelligence — a model for how EO can directly improve public health.

A Data Revolution for Everyday Problems

EYWA is part of a wider transformation led by EuroGEO — Europe’s arm of the Global Earth Observation (GEO) alliance.

EuroGEO links governments, scientists, and private companies to make EO data useful. Its projects tackle everything from flood management and agriculture optimization to climate adaptation and renewable energy planning.

In 2024, EuroGEO’s rapid flood-monitoring service helped Central European communities track and respond to devastating floods in near real time.

The potential is enormous: the EO data market is projected to triple by 2030, creating new opportunities for innovation, jobs, and sustainability — provided we can turn data into decisions.

From Pilots to Permanent Impact

EYWA was one of 37 pilot applications under the EU’s e-shape project, which tested how scientists and end-users can co-design practical tools — from air-pollution trackers to water-quality prediction systems for divers.

“Sustainability depends on securing funding and meeting real needs,”
says Kontoes. “That’s what attracts long-term investment.”

EYWA’s success has already earned backing from the EU, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation — proof that public–private collaboration can make EO services both impactful and sustainable.

The Power of Co-Design

A key to EuroGEO’s success lies in co-design — developing tools with the people who actually use them.

“It’s about engaging users directly and building cooperation,”
says Professor Thierry Ranchin, director of the Center for Observation, Impacts, Energy at Mines Paris—PSL, who led e-shape.

This approach will define the next stage of EuroGEO, which is moving from experimentation to integration. Through the creation of a EuroGEO Secretariat (EuroGEOSec), Europe aims to link existing projects into one connected ecosystem — the #OneEuroGEO vision.

These networks share not just data but cloud platforms, AI models, and training programs that empower local users — from municipal planners to farmers — to apply satellite insights directly.

Bridging the Data Divide

Despite daily inflows of over 100 terabytes of satellite data, many local governments and agencies still struggle to access or interpret it.

EuroGEOSec’s mission is to change that — ensuring that a health official in Portugal can use the same insights as a policy analyst in Brussels.

“There’s fragmentation today in the European landscape,”
Ranchin explains. “We’re working to reduce it through coordination and shared infrastructure.”

By 2025, EuroGEOSec plans to publish a roadmap for open, user-friendly access to EO data — connecting Copernicus, national databases, and citizen-driven initiatives into a seamless framework.

Making Data Work for People

From monitoring mosquito outbreaks to predicting flood risks, the message is clear: what’s captured in orbit can transform life on Earth.

But for this revolution to reach everyone, data must be:

• Accessible — open platforms for agencies, educators, and innovators.

• Actionable — tools that translate complex satellite signals into simple insights.

• Collaborative — bridging science, government, and citizens.

“There will be an explosion of EO data in the coming years,”
says Ranchin. “The challenge now is ensuring it’s put to good use — for as many people as possible.”

Reference

Willmer, G. (2025).
Eyes in the Sky: Making Earth Observation Data Work for People.
Horizon: The EU Research & Innovation Magazine.
Credit: Pixabay / CC0 Public Domain; National Observatory of Athens; EuroGEO.

From Space Insights to Social Impact

Earth observation is no longer just about mapping our planet — it’s about understanding it in real time to make it healthier, safer, and more sustainable.

As Europe connects its satellite networks with local needs, it’s building a blueprint for how data from space can drive change on the ground — for everyone.