monthly profile of what VSA´s space experts are working on
Research Features
Navigating the Future Sustainably, it´s Petri Välisuo
Robust Stats, Smart AI, and Energy Efficiency
Trick or treat! This month’s #researchfeatures with Petri Välisuo!🎃
“My name is Petri Välisuo. I am an Associate professor of sustainable automation. I am interested in researching methods for robust satellite navigation and analyzing other satellite-based data.
I am currently developing methods that combine robust statistics with machine learning to mitigate deliberate and unintentional interferences in satellite navigation. I am also developing a research infrastructure for energy-efficient computing to allow more sustainable AI-based analysis of large data sets, like Earth observations.
This research may provide more trusted satellite navigation for mobile robots, autonomous vehicles, and everyday navigation needs. Combining robust statistics and machine learning may open new research avenues for using similar methods in other state estimation situations. Energy-efficient computing is a central tool for expanding the use of AI for new purposes without causing too much of an increase in energy demands and for adapting to new requirements set by the EU’s energy efficiency directive.”
Morjesta Jaakko Yliaho
One of the Kvarken Space Center’s OG
Closing out this month’s #researchfeatures with Jaakko Yliaho!
“I am an electrical engineer interested in electronics, embedded and distributed systems, RF and accurate time. The technical side of space domain has very often connection to at least some of those fields.
My research interest is related to satellite positioning in general and especially opportunistic positioning using space-based communication signals as an additional source for positioning information. Basically, this means doing positioning and navigation with radio frequency signals that were not designed nor meant for positioning use. This kind of communication signals have in the recent years become popular and the number of satellites transmitting this kind of signals from low-earth orbits is already very high.
Using additional positioning signals to complement Galileo, GPS and other global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) increases the positioning robustness. Users, authorities and the global positioning community are actively working on dealing with the increased amount of interference on GNSS signals. Having available additional positioning technologies, like space-based opportunistic positioning, could provide the users with better trust on always available positioning and navigation.”
Mikko Ranta, making moves 📈
Pioneering the Crossroads of Finance and Space
Mikko Ranta, is an Associate Professor of Accounting with a passion for leveraging satellite data to enhance financial analysis and decision-making, blending his background in astronomy with his expertise in accounting. This interdisciplinary approach has the potential to bridge the gap between space technology and financial analysis, offering new tools for businesses and policymakers to measure environmental impact, assess risks, and make more informed decisions. It not only advances academic knowledge but also provides practical applications that benefit society by promoting transparency and sustainability in business practices.🤝
Mikko, “I’m currently exploring how satellite imagery and remote sensing data can be integrated into accounting and financial models. My research focuses on using these data sources to enhance financial and ESG evaluation and reporting, as well as to improve the accuracy of financial forecasts and risk assessments.🎯 I think satellite data offers a unique and powerful perspective that traditional data sources simply can’t provide, enabling us to uncover insights at a global scale that were previously unattainable. My background in astronomy has given me a deep appreciation for the vast potential of space-based technologies, and I’m excited by the challenge of integrating these cutting-edge tools into financial application, where they can drive innovation, enhance decision-making, and improve reporting.
Satellite data not only advances academic knowledge but also provides practical applications that benefit society. Leveraging satellite data matters because it introduces a new dimension of accuracy and timeliness to financial analysis, allowing for real-time monitoring of global resources, supply chains, and environmental conditions, which are critical for informed decision-making. Thus, EO data can, for example, significantly improve ESG reporting, helping companies and investors to better assess environmental risks and opportunities, leading to more sustainable business practices. 📊 By integrating satellite data into financial models, we can enhance our ability to predict and mitigate financial risks associated with climate change, natural disasters, and other global events, ultimately leading to a more resilient economy. By enhancing the precision of financial analysis, we can promote greater transparency and accountability in corporate practices, which is essential for building trust in markets and institutions. Furthermore, this research has the potential to drive more informed policy decisions, particularly in areas related to environmental regulation and disaster preparedness, by providing accurate, data-driven insights on the state of our planet. Ultimately, the integration of satellite data into financial analysis could contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future, as it empowers stakeholders at all levels to make decisions that are aligned with long-term societal and environmental well-being.”
Summer Spotlight on a Star, Cem Özcan 🌠
The Earth Observation Expert
Our summer edition´s #ResearchFeatures this month is Cem Özcan. Research Features is a monthly update intended to highlight who our near-Earth space experts and researchers are and a brief look into what space research they’re working on and its significance.
As a doctoral researcher and programmer in the Digital Economy Platform at the University of Vaasa, Cem Özcan leverages remote sensing, GIS, and earth observation technologies for environmental monitoring and mapping. His work is closely aligned with the evolving European sustainability rating standards (ESRS) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting.
Cem’s research focuses on how remote sensing can be effectively utilized within the framework of ongoing and upcoming ESRS and ESG regulations. This approach aims to achieve transparent and robust environmental monitoring, addressing the critical challenge of discrepancies between company-reported environmental values and independently reported environmental scores.
Building upon his expertise, Cem is actively involved in projects such as KvarkenData, Spacecasting, and AuroraSpace. These initiatives demonstrate the practical applications of his research in real-world scenarios, contributing to the advancement of earthobservation technologies and their integration into regulatory frameworks.
Collaborating with institutions across Nordic countries, including partnerships with the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) and counterparts in Norway and Sweden. This cross-border cooperation enhances the scope and impact of his research, fostering a more comprehensive approach to environmental monitoring in the region.
The potential impacts of Cem’s work are far reaching. By developing methods to harmonize remote sensing data with sustainability reporting standards, his research has the potential to significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of environmental assessments. This could lead to more informed decision making in policy, investment, and corporate sustainability strategies.
As the field of environmental monitoring continues to evolve, Cem’s work addresses the pressing need for transparent and verifiable data. His research not only contributes to the academic understanding of remote sensing applications but also has practical implications for industries striving to meet increasingly stringent sustainability requirements.
Konnichiwa Arto Ojala 🤝
The Space Economy Expert
Arto Ojala is a Professor of International Business at the University of Vaasa, Finland, and a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Graduate School of Management, Kyoto University, Japan. In the space domain, he has specialized particularly in the space business, which involves the commercial and entrepreneurial activities of firms operating in the space industry. As most space firms act globally immediately after establishment, the field is highly international and closely related to his main subject, International Business.
Ojala and his research group’s current research on space business focuses on the internationalization of space firms, business models in the space industry, environmental sustainability based on satellite data, and the usage of artificial intelligence for space-related services. Ojala has close research and teaching cooperation with scholars from Kyoto University. Based on this cooperation, Ojala is publishing an edited book entitled “Space Business: Emerging Theory and Practice” together with Professor William Baber. The book is now in the publication process and will be published by Palgrave Macmillan during this year. Based on the book and empirical findings from the field, Ojala is launching a new course on space business that will bring the latest knowledge of the space industry and business activities within the field for students.
Ojala is actively cooperating with space firms from Finland, Japan, and Spain. Based on research cooperation with them, his research findings provide knowledge related to the internationalization approaches used by the space firms, how space firms successfully innovate and create business models, how satellite data can be used for environmental sustainability and the reduction of greenhouse gases, and how space firms can benefit and provide better services for end-users by using artificial intelligence.
Tervetuloa Elina Huculak
Vaasa’s Space for Sustainability Trailblazer
At present, Elina Huculak serves as the project manager of the ORBIT and ESA BIC Finland collaboration project at the University of Vaasa. Before this, she managed the Sustainable Industry Ecosystem project funded by the Academy of Finland. Her current research and work focus on international legal frameworks for areas beyond national jurisdiction (#ABNJ), space technologies for sustainable development, collaborative initiatives for regional growth, and supporting space-related startups’ business development endeavors. 🤝
Elina has a diverse international career that spanned conducting research in the Caribbean, Lapland, as well as in Uruguay, to working in Finland and the US.🌐 Previously, Ms. Huculak worked at an environmental-engineering consulting firm and also served under U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s first district, Las Vegas, and, supported Congresswoman Titus’s endeavors with the U.S. House of Foreign Affairs Committee. Elina has experience supporting corporate entities to achieve environmental regulatory compliance, an extensive background in policy and legal texts, and knowledge of geospatial applications for sustainability, as seen in her co-authorship of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland pre-study report, The Role of Geospatial Data in Data Economy (2023).
Elina holds a Master of International and Comparative Law (MICL) degree in International Environmental Law with a minor in Business Studies from the University of Eastern Finland Law School, and her bachelors degrees in Public Administration and Environmental Science from Miami University, USA #loveandhonor. Currently, she is pursuing a doctoral degree in regional studies with a focus on the green transition in the Nordics.
From Elina:
“As an avid outdoor enthusiast, navigating the sustainable potential of the new space economy and rising space technologies is exciting and empowering. Downstream satellite data can significantly contribute in supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. By providing detailed observations of our planet, satellites offer a unique perspective for monitoring critical environmental changes. For SDG 14, this data can track ocean pollution levels and even identify illegal vessel activities. For SDG 15, satellite data can be used to monitor #foresthealth, track land use changes, and assess #biodiversity across vast ecological zones. This information empowers policymakers and corporations to improve upon green best practices, ultimately promoting the sustainable management and protection of land and marine ecosystems.”
👋 Kendall Rutledge
Co-founder of the Kvarken Space Center
Closing up this month´s leap year with February´s #researchfeatures, we welcome Kendall Rutledge.
Kendall Rutledge is our Research Program Manager for Space at the University of Vaasa, Finland. He has expertise in remote sensing algorithm development and validation, ocean surface/atmosphere observations, and summaries relying on reanalysis data from ESA (ERA5) and NASA (MERRA2), particularly related to atmospheric and climate sciences.
Rutledge’s career has spanned medical, environmental, and climate research in the US and Finland, including roles at Eastern Virginia Medical School (Norfolk, Virginia, USA) and with several NASA contractors. He is a founding member of the Kvarken Space Center at the University of Vaasa, where he supports project development activities within the Digital Economy Research platform.
His current work focuses on integrating environmental science aspects with socio-economic processes using remote sensing approaches. His specific interests currently involve promoting the use of biodiversity metrics for societal, business, and regional economic awareness / evaluation.
Educational background for Rutledge includes a M.Sc. in Marine Ecology with a minor in Biostatistics from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA, a B.A. in Environmental Sciences, and a B.S. in Terrestrial Ecology from Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, North Carolina, USA.
His expertise, experience and research interests position him well to infuse environmental perspectives into the socio-economic processes studied at University of Vaasa and support the research team at the Kvarken Space Center.
From Kendall:
“My most interesting career project involved supporting NASA’s CERES earth radiation budget process. This climate science project still operates today towards better understanding the details of how solar radiation interacts with the Earth system. My small part, I lead a team which worked alongside theoreticians to validate coupled atmosphere/ocean optics models. Our progress helped reduce the uncertainties associated with remotely sensed radiation quantities of optically complex ocean waters.”
“The most complex process I’ve worked is connected with our current work at the Kvarken Space Center. Science is primarily about understanding nature and simply put, summarizing biodiversity accurately is not presently possible on large spatial scales. Many proxies exist to suggest how biodiversity changes in space and time, but the present accountings are just our current best suggestions. This being the case, exactly how to efficiently restore biodiversity loss in relation to past and future socio-economic processes has no clear/efficient path forward”
Hello Mahmoud Elsanhoury!
Among the Top 10 Young Scientists from Finland Accepted to Singapore´s Reputed Global Young Scientists 2024 Summit
My name is Mahmoud, I am an Egyptian national working as a doctoral researcher, university teacher, and a research project manager at the University of Vaasa, Finland. I am interested in satellite-based positioning systems, that stemmed from my passion towards space technologies. As a wireless technology researcher, I work closely with satellite-based positioning via global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations. We utilize computer science tools (e.g. algorithms and sensor fusion) to improve the accuracy and reliability of the various positioning systems. LEO positioning, navigation, and timing (LEO-PNT) is an emerging research topic that gained much potential over the past few years. Both GNSS and LEO-PNT technologies offer a large variety of applications that can be harnessed for location-aware services. In addition, LEO-PNT can be used as an alternative in regions where GNSS signals are impaired, also as an SoS service when needed.
Meet Shakila Bu-Pasha ⚖️
Our Space Lawyer
supporting the development of outer space policy, strategy, and industry
As a member of the ECSL – European Centre for Space Law, Shakila Bu-Pasha is dedicated to the upcoming European Union (EU) and international space law and policy activities. Her commitment extends to promoting legal research and building strong networks in the space law domain. Space law has become a top priority for the EU Commission in 2024, Shakila’s research interest in the regulation of space big data for a secured space economy is pertinent and has the potential for significant economic and sustainable impacts while advancing legal sciences.
Building upon her previous expertise, Shakila currently works as a Project Manager under the Digital Economy platform at the University of Vaasa. Her research intends to focus on how access to and use of satellite data should be lawfully conducted and managed to ensure security within the space sector. More specifically, it intersects data protection and space law with digital business. Aligned with the EU’s recent space strategy and space program (2021–2027), which aims to establish EU leadership and autonomy in space, Shakila’s research considers current EU Space Law (EUSL) initiatives, with a special emphasis on Regulation (EU) 2021/696. This regulation is a new and crucial piece of legislation unfamiliar to many scholars, applying retroactively from January 1, 2021, as a matter of urgency.
Recognizing the distinct nature and specialty of space-related data and its connection to other data, Shakila envisions advancing the space economy within existing legal frameworks in the context of satellite technologies. Her work complements and supports the activities of the Kvarken Space Center, which serves a significant role not just for Ostrobothnia but Finland and Sweden as a whole in applying space technology for regional economic development and space for sustainability endeavors via space-based businesses, data, and innovation.
Research on this regulatory framework will contribute to establishing a robust and balanced environment for generating and maximizing the utilization of space-based data. Shakila’s work will support the development of space policy, strategy, and industry, particularly in the context of big data use and the outcomes derived from its analysis. Given the novelty of the field, further research is needed, and the findings can positively impact the aforementioned aspects and much more!