Satellite project aims to boost agricultural productivity

Researchers at the University of Auckland are collaborating on an initiative designed to transform how farmers in New Zealand and Australia monitor crops and manage environmental challenges.

The project, named SilverEye, is in partnership with the Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and will use advanced satellite imaging to provide more frequent and detailed Earth Observation data to benefit the agricultural productivity of both countries.

Supported by $85,000 from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Catalyst Fund, the project will now move into the next phase, a six-month feasibility study, which involves generating a preliminary design for the satellite. This design will ensure the satellite meets future needs and can be manufactured domestically.

The project aims to address the limitations of current satellite technology, which often suffer from delayed return times and inadequate resolution, says project lead and director of Te Pūnaha Ātea Space Institute, Professor Guglielmo Aglietti.

“This project will enable us to address critical gaps in satellite technology and develop a solution that will significantly improve agricultural monitoring and environmental management. By providing more frequent and detailed data, we can better support growers and the food industry in tackling challenges such as weather events, disease and weeds, ultimately benefiting the entire industry.”

This collaborative research effort is part of an agreement between New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Australia's SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre, signed in January 2024.

The feasibility study will be considered for second stage funding once completed.