Researchers at the Stevens Institute of Technology have created a digital platform called the New Observing Strategies Testbed (NOS-T) to help reshape the way satellite data is analysed and utilised. The platform enables information exchange between a variety of orbital devices and land-based antennae, creating a new standard for earth science research. There are currently around 7,000 satellites orbiting Earth, generating a huge volume of data on a daily basis. The NOS-T platform aims to tackle the issue of distributed satellite data by allowing organisations to independently model their satellites and their data. The platform facilitates the exchange of limited, approved data messages, ensuring data sharing without revealing sensitive information, control algorithms or proprietary technologies. The researchers believe that the NOS-T platform could have significant implications for space research, as the collaborative efforts it facilitates are not easy to achieve. According to Paul Grogan, associate professor of systems engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology and the project’s leader, without a successful digital simulation, real-world space mission collaboration remains a far-reaching goal.
