2026.5.29Activity report
GSTCE “Earth Observation 2.0 — The Reality of Insight-as-a-Service and Overcoming Barriers to Adoption by Non-Space Users” Event Report
On May 13–14, 2026, at the Global Space Technology Convention & Exhibition (GSTCE) held in Singapore, a panel discussion titled “Earth Observation 2.0 — The Real Business of Insight-as-a-Service and How the Industry Can Overcome Slow Adoption by Non-Space End Users” took place.
- ・Date & Time: Monday, May 13, 2026, 11:25 – 12:10
- ・Panel Discussion: Earth Observation 2.0 — The Real Business of Insight-as-a-Service and How the Industry Can Overcome Slow Adoption by Non-Space End Users
- ・Moderator: Raha Hakimdavar, Council Member, SST Think Tank
-
・Panelists:
Andrew Canales, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), SkyFi
Beverley Postma, Executive Director (ED), Grow Asia
Clinton Libbey, Founder and Managing Director, Kumi Analytics
Naoko Sugita, Planning Manager, Earth Observation Program Strategy Office, JAXA / CONSEO Secretariat
Steven Ward, Managing Director & Climate Market Offering Leader, Deloitte
At the GSTCE panel discussion “Earth Observation 2.0,” a central theme was that, in advancing the social implementation of Earth observation, the key issue is not the technology itself but how value is delivered to users. The panelists emphasized that rather than presenting raw satellite data, the critical factor for wider adoption lies in delivering information in a form that supports on-the-ground decision-making.
Among the speakers, Naoko Sugita of JAXA’s Earth Observation Program Strategy Office, who also serves as a member of the CONSEO secretariat, stated, “What people are seeking is not data, but information.” She pointed out that the value of Earth observation lies not in the type of data itself, but in whether users can obtain the answers they need. To achieve this, it is important to establish a seamless value chain that connects providers and users, with the public sector playing a key role as a hub linking industry, academia, and government. Sugita also introduced JAXA’s efforts to promote collaboration with a wide range of companies, including non-space sectors, through the Consortium of Satellite Earth Observation, which brings together more than 330 participating organizations.
Other panelists reinforced similar perspectives from their respective positions. Andrew Canales, Chief Revenue Officer at SkyFi, highlighted that the greatest barrier to adoption lies not in space, but in the “last mile” on the ground, noting that complex contracts and fragmented platforms create significant obstacles. He stressed that expanding the use of Earth observation data requires integrating it into the business systems that users rely on in their daily work, enabling easy access, and underscored the importance of initiatives that simplify data utilization, such as those undertaken by SkyFi.
Beverley Postma, Executive Director of Grow Asia, pointed out that what farmers need is not raw data but concrete, actionable information that supports decision-making. She also noted that farmers tend to be risk-averse and make decisions based on trust, emphasizing that delivering data through trusted intermediaries—such as fertilizer suppliers or agricultural cooperatives—is essential to promoting the adoption of Earth observation data.
Clinton Libbey, Founder and Managing Director of Kumi Analytics, similarly stated that users are not seeking satellite imagery itself, but the insights derived from it that inform their decisions, therefore, Earth observation data should be embedded invisibly into systems. Meanwhile, Steven Ward, Managing Director – Climate Market Offering Leader of Deloitte, emphasized that services should be designed with outcomes in mind, rather than focusing on the underlying technology, and should be integrated seamlessly into existing business systems.
Overall, the discussion highlighted that the success of Earth observation adoption depends not on the sophistication of the technology alone, but on the mechanisms by which information is delivered in a user-friendly form to real-world social and industrial contexts. As Sugita emphasized, achieving this requires collaboration among the public sector, industry, and research institutions, and a commitment to designing value from a user-centric perspective. Earth Observation 2.0 represents a stage where social implementation can only advance through not only technological evolution, but also innovation in how that value is delivered.
Photo Credit: Singapore Space & Technology Think Tank
Panelists (from left):
Raha Hakimdavar (SST Think Tank), Andrew Canales (SkyFi),
Beverley Postma (Grow Asia), Clinton Libbey (Kumi Analytics),
Naoko Sukita (JAXA), Dr Steven Ward (Deloitte)
Photo Credit: Singapore Space & Technology Think Tank
Naoko Sugita of the CONSEO Secretariat, promoting the social implementation of Earth observation data through collaboration among industry, government and academia.