Progress beyond state of art:
The main advantages of VanderSat compared to existing soil moisture mapping techniques is that VanderSat provides data at a far better resolution, on a global scale and in a near real time mode, where as existing techniques offer small scale retrospective data. In our studies we amongst others conducted a comparison analysis and cross-compared VanderSat to other satellite products for two spatially representative super sites, which are known as difficult sites for satellite sensors to retrieve reliable soil moisture because of their heterogeneous landscapes. One was located in Cabauw (NL) and the other in Petzenkirchen (A). This validation study demonstrated that our high resolution VanderSat soil moisture is not only a visible improvement but also demonstrates a direct significant improvement in the temporal skill.
Also we analyzed the spatial patterns of VanderSat soil moisture over a variety of landscapes compared it with other spatial soil moisture products. In Northern Africa at the Nile Delta we cross compared our product with the original NASA SMAP L3 soil moisture product with a resolution of 36 km. The wet Nile delta was clearly picked up by the VanderSat soil moisture product. In addition, the irrigated fields along the streams became visible in the high resolution product and are not visible at all in the coarse scale SMAP product.
Detailed information on droughts and floods can also been seen with a high degree of detail with VanderSat soil moisture. We analyzed the recent drought and flood events in Ethiopia and it showed the strong dynamic nature of soil moisture over this region, which was hit by a sequence of disasters. The spatial performance of VanderSat soil moisture has been further evaluated over regions with other climate regimes (e.g. Madagascar) and demonstrated excellent performance in both dry and wet regions.
Moreover we applied a global error assessment (i.e. triple collocation) to determine the uncertainty boundaries of VanderSat soil moisture at a global scale using independent data products. This error assessment revealed that VanderSat soil moisture is within the range of just a few Vol.% uncertainty, which is a similar uncertainty as a simple ground sensor.
Impact
VanderSat’s unique methodology is taking advantage of data from a combination of satellites (multi-sensor) as well as different kinds of data (multi-frequency). This methodology combined with specifically designed algorithms is far beyond the current state-of-the art, even in the academic arena. We aim to provide data that will provide customers easy access to our global data through an API that can be easily integrated into their models. It is a well-known business model within the geospatial and remote sensing market that has proved to be very successful (DigitalGlobe is just one example).
Assessment of the market potential has shown relevance for the following market segments: Agrifood (including irrigation), Climate Studies (a.o. ESA, NASA, UN WATER), Re-Insurance, Water cycle management, Meteorological services, NGO’s (especially human aid related), Public sector (a.o. infrastructure). In our feasibility study we have conducted thorough research into each previously defined markets. These markets are defined as ‘verticals’. In our competitive analysis we look at the following components: market size, competitor strength and weaknesses, barriers to entry and window of opportunity. When we combine the total addressable market of all verticals VanderSat is looking at a 17,5 billion Euro market. The data and analytics business is growing exponentially fueled by the IT revolution and VanderSat can provide data on a subject that happens to be one of the most important substances in the world: water. We do not underestimate competition as it can come from all sides, but no other company even comes close to our patent pending 100x100 meter resolution observation driven product. VanderSat offers near real time high resolution soil moisture data and thereby we are opening up new businesses and technological developments that were not imaginable before.
The financial projections resulting from this study project VanderSat to grow to a nearly 11.2 million Euro business over the next three years employing a staff of about 75.
