VITO expertise crucial in ESA mission
The European Space Agency (ESA) is expanding its fleet of Scout Earth observation missions with the selection of two new satellites: HiBiDis and SOVA‑S. As a Flemish partner, VITO is closely involved in the HiBiDis mission, which focuses on studying biodiversity on a global scale. Within this mission, VITO’s Remote Sensing Systems unit contributes its expertise in processing satellite data and transforming it into useful information.
© SITAEL. Hibidis, an ESA Scout mission, stands for Hyperspectral Biodiversity Scout.
Twelve projects were submitted, four reached the final stage, and ultimately two were selected by ESA after an intensive ten‑month evaluation process. HiBiDis is designed to provide new insights into biodiversity beneath the forest canopy and into the functioning of ecosystems.
ESA’s Scout missions are a relatively new component of its FutureEO Earth observation programme. These missions involve small satellites (each no larger than a large washing machine) that miniaturise existing space technologies and demonstrate new observation techniques. A key feature of this concept is its flexible and cost‑efficient development process and rapid implementation.
“ESA Scout missions demonstrate that groundbreaking Earth science does not always require large budgets and long development times,” says Simonetta Cheli, Director of ESA’s Earth Observation Programmes. “By acting quickly, embracing innovation, and supporting new ideas, these missions show how agility and creativity can accelerate progress and deliver impactful science and technology in a short time.”
HiBiDis
HiBiDis (Hyperspectral Biodiversity Scout) is a highly agile satellite equipped with a hyperspectral camera, enabling it to observe through the forest canopy. This allows for better mapping of biodiversity in the understory of ecosystems and for the analysis of various essential biodiversity variables.
The prime contractor for this ESA Scout HiBiDis mission is the Italian company Sitael. Partners include AMOS, specialised in hyperspectral instruments, and VITO, responsible for data processing and the development of new scientific tools. The University of Zurich is in charge of the scientific foundation.
“Forests are changing faster than ever, but much of their complexity remains hidden,” explains Iskander Benhadj, Project Manager Remote Sensing at VITO. “With ESA’s HiBiDis Scout mission, VITO helps turn multi‑angle hyperspectral observations into reliable biodiversity insights, giving the scientific community an unprecedented view of both the understory and the overstory of forest ecosystems from space.”
