Advances in Satellite-Based Earth Observation Technologies

Abstract

This paper reviews recent advances in satellite-based Earth observation (EO) technologies, focusing on three rapidly evolving areas: small satellite constellations, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and active sensors, and hyperspectral imaging. Developments in on-board processing, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analytics, and cloud-native data delivery have together transformed EO from episodic missions to continuous, near-real-time monitoring services. We discuss technological drivers, applications across environmental monitoring, disaster response, and climate science, and highlight key challenges including data interoperability, calibration, and equitable access. The paper concludes with future directions for research, policy, and operational deployment.

KEYWORDS: Earth Observation; Small Satellites; Synthetic Aperture Radar; Hyperspectral Imaging; On-board Processing; Machine Learning