Insurance, supply chain management companies key for usage of satellite data: Expert

Dr Prakash Chatham, director at Indian Institute of Remote Sensing said Insurance and supply chain management companies will be the key players for optimal usage of earth observation data.

Bengaluru: While many think space science is a mere quest for exploration of outer space, Bengaluru Tech Summit on Thursday proved otherwise. Speaking in Satellites and Society session in summit Dr Prakash Chatham, director at Indian Institute of Remote Sensing said Insurance will be a key player for earth observation data.

Agriculture - Insurance using satellite data:

Insurance companies use earth observation data for settling claims for agriculture losses. Startups in large numbers use technologies to assist farmers and insurance companies then settle claims.

Risk management cannot stop disasters but can reduce risk. For example, if a thermal plant or a large scale industry needs to be set up, insurance companies will look into what kind of risk and plant set up shall be overviewed before fixing insurance premiums. Also, disasters like flooding and landslide risk can be reduced, he explained.

Precision agriculture :

Heavily populated countries like India and other countries food security is important. Technology like UAVs can answer some of the unanswered questions.

Monsoon depending agricultural countries suffer drought in summer. Using satellite data, areas can be identified and make artificial water recharging structures and can be used in summer season and improve groundwater table.

Supply chain management using GIS to battle Pandemic:

Large company's output goods must be taken to nooks and corner of the nation. E-commerce companies can use Geographic Information System (GIS) and global positioning system (GPS) to reach effectively. Taking current pandemic as a challenge GIS and GPS can identify hotspots for various diseases.

Climate change is real, satellite-based inputs have provided evidence for the same. Using this data for developing climate-resilient economy and climate adaptation.

As a closing remark, he said policies must be driven based on science. Satellites and society session was hosted by Dr Steve Jolly, chief engineer for Lockheed Martin. Other participants included chief of space science in UN Luc St-Pierre and others.