NERC is launching a centralised service that will process satellite and aircraft data for UK researchers using artificial intelligence, saving them from having to master complex software themselves. Earth observation data is crucial for tracking environmental changes over decades and responding to disasters in near-real time. But many UK scientists lack the computing power or expertise to handle the raw data from providers such as NASA and Copernicus. A community survey and a NERC review confirmed the demand for a dedicated UK service. NEODAAS will fill that gap by producing analysis-ready products—such as UK-specific climate projections—and by offering rapid-response data during emergencies. If successful, the service will eliminate duplicated processing across multiple labs, reducing both time and carbon footprint. It will also provide a fallback data source if the UK loses access to Copernicus data, as happened in July 2023. The AI component, built around a large GPU computer and staffed by specialists, has already seen annual requests double from grant-holders and PhD students. By making advanced analysis routine, NEODAAS could accelerate research into flooding, crop failure, and other environmental risks that affect infrastructure and supply chains.
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The vision for NEODAAS is to provide NERC and UKRI academic communities with flexible, responsive and innovative national capability in Earth Observation (EO) data analysis using satellites and aircraft and Artificial Intelligence methods, to meet the wide range of UK community needs through a variety of services, advice and training. NEODAAS will support scientists addressing key strategic research and innovation priorities and contributing to understanding of important environmental issues affecting the UK. EO is crucial for observing local, regional or large scale Earth system processes over long periods of time, as the data records extend to multi-decadal, or in near-real time (NRT) to guide environmental sampling in the field, to support short-term forecasts, and as a rapid response to disasters or unexpected environmental events. There is increasing demand for EO, and while data can be obtained from providers such as the US NASA and European Copernicus, demand for UK-specific or bespoke services was confirmed by a widely attended community "town hall" and the NERC Facilities "Deep Dive" review. Furthermore, many non-EO experts do not have the skill base to do their own processing. Hence, the need for NEODAAS. NEODAAS EO services will include: bespoke EO products and information including production of analysis-ready data products to meet particular UK needs (such as UK projections or regional algorithms); analysis of data from sensors utilised as part of the NERC World Class Labs £5M investment in the NCEO Airborne Earth Observatory; rapid-response with fast delivery times; provision of data in formats that can be easily used by non-experts; operationalisation of algorithms produced by NERC-funded research, for wider impact in the community; and provision of advice and training in the sources and best practice in EO. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in digital environmental science. However, there are a large number of AI techniques and software packages available, and knowing which are best to use and how to apply to EO or environmental data can often be confusing to non-specialist researchers. NEODAAS has established an AI service based around a large GPU computer system and dedicated AI experts. The combination of computational resources, staff expertise and training has been well extremely received by community. NEODAAS has quickly built a reputation in this area, resulting in increasing demand from NERC grant-holders and PhD students at Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) leading to a doubling of the annual requests to the facility. The AI service will be continued in the new commission. NEODAAS offers a centralised service from one location, providing critical mass and avoiding data processing duplication by multiple users, hence, saving on time and carbon footprint,. Also, noting that as of July 2023 access to operational parts of Copernicus is not possible for the UK and access to data may also be limited in the future, NEODAAS will provide an alternative source of data in case of restrictions to Copernicus data.
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