The European Space Agency (ESA) is using a virtual datacentre in the cloud to process satellite data that could help boost its understanding of the underlying causes of geohazards, such as earthquakes and volcanoes.
The ESA has developed a SuperSites Exploitation Platform (SSEP) on the Interoute Virtual Data Centre offering.
The SSEP was created in collaboration with Interoute and allows on-demand processing of satellite data.
Providing initial access to 13TB of data, encompassing 50,000 radar scenes from ESA, users of SSEP can choose from a number of algorithms to process the data.
The platform also features a cloud-based toolbox, which offers virtual desktop resources configured with appropriate software and licenses to analyse and process the data.
ESA used the cloud to transform the way its satellite data is used, processed and distributed.
It said the platform would encourage collaboration via the cloud as it enabled the scientific community to gain instant access to data and remote instruments, and the setup of virtual research communities.
This development required the capability to procure, provision and deploy a secure cloud-based infrastructure, making on-demand, scalable processing and storage of large data volumes faster for users who are distributed around the world.
“This platform will provide authorised users with simple access tools to view and retrieve data from multiple archives, to place their tasking requests, to fetch data, and to report results back to data providers; which will make a larger pool of data available to scientific data users,” said Jordi Farres, service manger at ESA.
“The SSEP model complements the legacy model where data was shipped out and processed at a user's premises. Collaboration with Interoute and other industrial partners has made this significant step forward possible.”
Matthew Finnie, chief technology officer at Interoute, added: “Combining Interoute Virtual Data Centre with the European Space Agency’s e-Infrastructure brings all the advantages of cloud, huge scalability and unparalleled connectivity, to the innovative ESA SuperSites Exploitation Platform. With this collaboration and through the cloud Interoute is helping ESA track tomorrow."
