E254 - Common Space

This episode examines the Common Space initiative, a non-profit project dedicated to building and launching high-resolution optical satellites designed specifically for humanitarian purposes, such as aiding populations at risk from climate events and conflict. 

Although there are over a thousand Earth observation satellites currently in orbit, high-resolution imagery remains largely inaccessible to humanitarians, journalists, and civil rights groups due to high costs, restrictive licensing, and the prioritization of defense and intelligence tasking. 

Common Space aims to bridge the gap between low-resolution public goods (like Landsat and Sentinel) and expensive commercial options by offering 50 to 70-centimeter re...