The Netherlands Space Office (NSO) promotes the use of satellite Earth Observation (EO) data to support various environmental and societal goals within The Netherlands and abroad. The NSO operates the national Satellite Data Portal, which offers free access to very high resolution EO data covering the territory of The Netherlands to users residing in the country. This data can be used to address environmental and climate change, urban liveability, and air and water pollution.
As of December 2023, the coverage of the Satellite Data Portal was extended to include the Caribbean Netherlands - Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius – marking a significant step toward improving EO data accessibility in these regions. This has also prompted efforts by NSO to enhance the use of EO data in the Dutch Caribbean. To support this, the 2025-2026 edition of the LDE Space Earth Observation Thesis Lab will focus on how to improve the use of Earth Observation data for the Dutch Caribbean and investigate potential fields for expansion.
Main CHALLENGE
How can the use of satellite Earth observation (EO) data in the Dutch Caribbean be enhanced for societal and environmental benefits?
themes
For this Thesis Lab we define four challenges, which we invite students to apply for. Students are encouraged to explore and use Copernicus data and services, as well as the very high resolution EO data in the Satellite Data Portal:
(1) Earth observation science and/or technology to strengthen:
- (i) Ecology (vegetation trends)
- (ii) Very High Resolution (VHR) data (risk maps, construction)
- (iii) Health (air quality, heat stress)
- (iv) Flood monitoring
- (v) Water Quality (For example Sargassum and Coral monitoring)
(2) Social impact and adaptation of earth observation applications:
- (i) Explore how EO data can be integrated into local practices and decision-making.
- (ii) Strategies to stimulate EO data use among communities, businesses, NGOs, and local governments.
(3) Law and policy implications of the use of earth observation data for the Dutch Caribbean:
- (i) Assessing the use of Earth observation data in the framework of international, regional and/or national environmental regulations.
- (ii) The status of the application and implementation of the UN space treaties, and other space-related instruments, in the Dutch Caribbean (constituent countries and/or special provinces).
- (iii) Comparison among elements of various EO data policies, with regard to their use in the Dutch Caribbean.
(4) Business perspectives and analysis of the use of earth observation, such as:
- (i) Business opportunities from the use of EO data in the Dutch special Municipalities, The Dutch Caribbean, and broader Caribbean region.
- (ii) Explore EO-driven entrepreneurship and innovation in the Dutch Caribbean.
Depending on the exact topics of the thesis assignment, the appropriate experts and contacts from the Dutch Caribbean, Dutch space industry, and Dutch ministries, as well as Dutch universities will be contacted and involved.
Caseholders
The Netherlands Space Office (NSO) is the governmental Space Agency of the Netherlands. NSO’s task is to advice upon and realise the national space policy. It hosts the Satellite Data Portal to stimulate use of Earth Observation data that is now also including the Dutch Caribbean.
This Thesis Lab is an initiative of the LDE Program Space for Science and Society. This program provides students the opportunity to work on Space challenges, learn about other disciplines and work together on solving challenges that cannot be tackled with a single expertise.
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