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As we navigate the critical challenges of the 21st century, ISRSE-40 will focus on how Earth observations (EO) can drive sustainable development and resilience across multiple sectors.

Titled ‘Synergy in Sight: Harnessing Earth Observation for Sustainable Development’, the conference will explore the synergies between emerging technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global partnerships to foster a deeper understanding of Earth-system dynamics and their applications.

Here is a deep dive into the 14 carefully crafted topics that ISRSE-40 will cover throughout its four days of conference sessions:

1: Earth Observation for Climate Policy and Decision-Making

The Earth Observation (EO) for Climate Policy and Decision-Making session at ISRSE-40 focuses on the application of EO data and AI-driven analytics to support climate policies, enhance international cooperation, and drive emissions reduction strategies. The studies presented in this session illustrate how satellite-derived data informs climate resilience, national policymaking, and sustainability interventions.

2: Earth Observation for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Land Use

The Agriculture and Vegetation session at ISRSE-40 examines how Earth Observation (EO) and remote sensing technologies enhance agricultural productivity, resource optimization, and environmental sustainability. The session focuses on precision farming, soil moisture monitoring, crop stress detection, and climate adaptation strategies, providing valuable insights for policy-makers, agronomists, and researchers.

3: The Climate Change – Atmospheric

The Climate Change – Atmospheric session at ISRSE-40 focuses on how Earth Observation (EO) technologies contribute to atmospheric monitoring, climate variability assessments, and the improvement of climate-related models. The session highlights advancements in spectral irradiance modelling, land surface temperature retrieval, satellite-based climate observations, and international initiatives for atmospheric and forest sustainability.

4: Innovative EO Approaches for Climate Adaptation and Ecosystem Monitoring

This session focuses on how Earth Observation (EO) and advanced remote sensing techniques are contributing to climate adaptation, land cover monitoring, and ecosystem resilience. It examines novel satellite constellations, deep learning frameworks for land cover mapping, and UAV-based monitoring for mangrove conservation.

5:  Earth Observation for Sustainable Urbanization: Resilience, Climate Adaptation, and Land Use Planning

The Resilient Urban and Infrastructure session at ISRSE-40 focuses on leveraging Earth Observation (EO) technologies and remote sensing methodologies to address key challenges in urban resilience, climate adaptation, and sustainable land use planning. The session explores innovative approaches for monitoring land surface temperature (LST), modelling urban expansion, assessing peri-urban agricultural shifts, and using remote sensing for data-driven urban planning.

6: Urban Climate Change: Earth Observation for Resilient Cities and Sustainable Environments

The Urban Climate Change session at ISRSE-40 focuses on how Earth Observation (EO) technologies contribute to understanding and mitigating urban climate change challenges. This session covers advancements in urban heat island (UHI) analysis, street-level environmental monitoring, and land use-based urban resilience strategies. It links remote sensing data to urban climate adaptation policies and planning efforts.

7: Earth Observation for Biodiversity and Soil Moisture Monitoring: Advancing Ecosystem Conservation and Climate Resilience

This session explores how Earth Observation (EO) technologies enhance biodiversity monitoring, soil moisture assessments, and ecosystem resilience. These studies provide insights into vegetation dynamics, forest regrowth monitoring, and biomass estimation. The integration of EO with machine learning and cloud-based platforms facilitates improved environmental monitoring and conservation strategies.

8: Earth Observation for Sustainable Land Resource Management: Monitoring, Adaptation, and Policy Implications

The Sustainable Land Resources session at ISRSE-40 explores the role of Earth Observation (EO) technologies in land resource monitoring, conservation, and sustainable management. This session examines a range of applications, including forest fuel monitoring, agricultural land-use classification, beekeeping support, the assessment of environmental impacts of resource extraction, and hydrological monitoring in climate-sensitive regions.

9: AI & Machine Learning – Enhancing EO Capabilities for Climate and Environmental Monitoring

The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Earth Observation (EO) is rapidly growing, enabling the development of more sophisticated, scalable, and automated approaches to analyse and interpret remote sensing data. This session explores the application of deep learning, convolutional networks, and hybrid AI techniques for enhancing EO-based climate monitoring, carbon assessments, methane detection, and land cover mapping.

10: Novel Technologies

The Novel Technologies session focuses on groundbreaking advancements in Earth Observation (EO), satellite systems, aerial monitoring, and AI-driven analytics. The session aligns closely with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by integrating new technologies that enhance monitoring, environmental assessment, and climate resilience.

The papers in this session introduce innovative EO technologies across multiple domains, including hyperspectral satellite missions, high-altitude platform systems (HAPS), UAV-based ecological monitoring, cost-effective drone profilers for EO calibration, and multi-satellite imagery clustering. These innovations significantly improve data accuracy, operational efficiency, and decision-making processes in environmental monitoring and climate impact assessments.

11: Innovative Dataset and Earth Observation Technologies & Innovative Earth Observation Technologies

This session explores the latest advancements in dataset technologies and Earth observation methodologies. The selected presentations cover novel approaches to infrastructure change detection, drought early warning systems, cloud-based data accessibility, high-resolution pseudo-satellite platforms, and optimized AI models for onboard nanosatellite processing. These innovations aim to enhance data-driven decision-making for environmental and urban resilience, aligning with SDG targets related to climate action (SDG 13), sustainable cities (SDG 11), and life on land (SDG 15).

12: Advancing Earth Observation for Drought and Agricultural Resilience

Droughts significantly impact agriculture, ecosystems, and water resources, requiring innovative Earth Observation (EO) solutions for monitoring, early warning, and mitigation. This session explores novel EO methodologies to assess climate change effects on agricultural lands, monitor vegetation cover dynamics, integrate multi-index drought assessment models, and enhance water resource monitoring through remote sensing. The findings align with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, climate resilience, and ecosystem preservation.

13: Extreme Weather Disasters – Earth Observation for Monitoring and Risk Mitigation

Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods have intensified due to climate change, leading to significant environmental and socio-economic impacts. The integration of Earth Observation (EO) data into disaster response and mitigation strategies is essential to enhance preparedness, support decision-making, and improve resilience. This session examines the role of EO technologies in understanding and responding to extreme weather events. The selected papers provide insights into the application of EO for monitoring flood and storm impacts, as well as assessing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from forest fires.

14: Analysis: Coastal & Maritime Environments

The Coastal & Maritime Environments session aims to explore the role of Earth Observation (EO) technologies in monitoring, managing, and protecting coastal and maritime ecosystems. As climate change exacerbates coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and oceanic biodiversity loss, the integration of satellite and remote sensing technologies becomes critical for sustainable ocean governance. The research presented in this session aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

For more information on the individual sessions, visit our agenda page.

Speakers from Rolls-Royce, Thales Alenia, NOAA, Babcock, European Space Agency, UK Space Agency, and Egyptian Space Agency are the latest to join the growing programmes of the Farnborough International Space Show and The 40th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE-40).

The latest speakers announced for Farnborough International Space Show include:

Leading primes are exhibiting and partnering with the event, including Rolls-Royce, Lockheed Martin, Babcock International Group, Viasat, L3Harris and Telespazio.

Discussing Lockheed Martin’s expansive presence at the inaugural show, Nik Smith, Director, Lockheed Martin Space UK, said: “Lockheed Martin is delighted to be playing such an active role in the first Farnborough International Space Show, which aligns perfectly with our commitment to working with key organisations to boost the space sector in the UK.

“We are very proud of the fact that we are working closely with Government on this, particularly in terms of meeting their focus on regional growth.

“Our work in the North East and partnership with Northumbria University on initiatives like NESST – the North East Space Skills and Technology Centre – as well as organising our popular Space Camps to show young people the possibilities available in the sector, are fantastic examples of positive action to grow the space industry and provide opportunities for the next generation.”

Fred Taylor, Vice President of Space and Cyber Applications at Viasat Government Systems at Visat added: “The space industry is rapidly evolving, and the need for reliable, real-time and cost-effective on-orbit communications has never been greater. I am excited to attend the Farnborough International Space Show and collaborate with the international space community. During my presentation, I look forward to discussing the cutting-edge solutions that are transforming connectivity for LEO operators, government agencies and commercial space ventures in the growing global space economy.”

Co-locating with Farnborough International Space Show, ISRSE-40 will explore the synergies between emerging technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global partnerships to foster a deeper understanding of Earth-system dynamics and their applications.

Topics of the four-day conference will include: climate change and environmental monitoring, sustainable land and marine resource management, resilient urban and infrastructure systems, innovative earth observation technologies, enhancing diversity for the sector, interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration and EO for adaption and mitigation

The latest ISRSE-40 speaker additions include:

To register for your free pass or for more information, visit the website.

For more information on ISRSE-40 and to book your ticket, click here.

International space organisations, UK government departments and leading academia confirm their presence at the Farnborough International Space Show and the 40th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE-40).

The latest speakers confirmed for Farnborough International Space Show include:

Taking place 17-21 March 2025, ISRSE-40 exists to drive the advancement of remote sensing technologies and the data analysis pivotal to Earth Observation capabilities and space applications,

Titled Synergy in Sight: Harnessing Earth Observation for Sustainable Development, the latest speakers confirmed for the ISRSE-40 conference programme include:

Following its success at Farnborough International Airshow 2024, ADS Group, the UK trade association for the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors, and Farnborough International will be hosting the UK Government Hub at Farnborough International Space Show to provide a dedicated platform for government departments, agencies and devolved administrations to collaborate directly with UK space and defence businesses.

Reflecting the combined convening power of ADS and Farnborough International, the Government Hub will highlight the public sector support available to UK businesses and entrepreneurs. It will provide access to the support businesses need to startup, scale-up and create skilled workforces. Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Welsh Government and Invest NI are among the government agencies and devolved administrations who will be officially present at the Government Hub.

To register for your free pass or for more information, visit: https://farnboroughspaceshow.com/

For more information on ISRSE-40 and to book your ticket, visit: https://isrse40.com/

Purpose of the Grant

The funding is intended to support new professionals in attending ISRSE-40 by covering their registration fees. The objective is to foster diversity and inclusion, prioritize engagement from underrepresented regions, and support the next generation of Earth Observation (EO) professionals.

Please note: Travel and accommodation costs are not covered under this grant and must be secured separately by the applicants.

Apply now

 

Eligibility Criteria

Selection Criteria (Simplified Scoring)
Conditions

Apply now for an ISRSE-40 Student Support Package

 

Leaders from NASA, Babcock International Group (Babcock), Lockheed Martin BAE Systems, UK Ministry of Defence, and US Government have been confirmed as speakers for the Farnborough International Space Show and The 40th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, taking place in the UK during March 2025.

The 40th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE-40) is a world-renowned conference taking place on UK soil for the first time in its history, to share crucial, emerging knowledge in pursuit of protecting the planet and its people. Taking place 17-21 March 2025, the Symposium will host a range of participants dedicated to the advancement of remote sensing technologies and the data analysis pivotal to Earth Observation capabilities and space applications, including senior leaders from the likes of NASA, ESA, DLR, JAXA and ASI.

Speakers confirmed for ISRSE-40 include:

Farnborough International Space Show announces speakers:

Taking place 19-20 March 2025  Farnborough International Space Show is co-locating with ISRSE-40 and is designed to pioneer the commercial space age and advance space domain defence. From international governments, space commands and space agencies, to leading manufacturers, industry start-ups, and renowned academics, the show is set to be the most important and only occasion for the entire space ecosystem to meet in the UK.

The first wave of speakers confirmed include:

The co-location between the two events creates an exclusive opportunity for the global space industry to access the whole ecosystem – upstream and downstream – in one place, and at the same time. By convening agency, government, academic and industrial audiences together, the events enable an interdisciplinary approach to the modern challenges in the space sector.

To book your ticket for ISRSE-40, click here.

For more information on Farnborough International Space Show, visit the website.

Earth observation (EO) has become a crucial sector for understanding and managing environmental changes, improving sustainability, and addressing global challenges. From monitoring climate change to enhancing disaster management, the latest advancements in this sector are driven by cutting-edge technology, new satellite missions, and innovative data analytics.

Here are key trends and updates in the global Earth observation sector:

  1. Advancements in Satellite Technology

The development of new satellites and imaging technologies continues to shape the Earth observation landscape. More countries and private companies are entering the satellite deployment race, launching advanced, high-resolution Earth observation satellites. For instance, the European Space Agency (ESA) has expanded its Copernicus program with the launch of new Sentinel satellites, improving the resolution and frequency of Earth observation data.

Meanwhile, private companies like SpaceX, Planet Labs, and Maxar Technologies are also pushing the boundaries with fleets of small satellites, providing frequent and high-quality imagery of Earth’s surface. These satellites are significantly enhancing the capabilities to monitor everything from urban growth to crop health.

  1. Increased Collaboration in Global Monitoring Initiatives

There is an ongoing push for collaboration among nations, institutions, and private-sector players in Earth observation. The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD) and the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) are examples of initiatives that encourage global cooperation to share and analyse Earth observation data. This sharing facilitates enhanced disaster response, climate change monitoring, and biodiversity protection.

The United Nations (UN) has also called for more integrated Earth observation efforts to track progress on sustainable development goals (SDGs), which include goals related to climate action, clean water, and terrestrial ecosystems.

  1. AI and Machine Learning Integration

AI and machine learning are becoming central to processing and analysing the vast amounts of data captured by Earth observation satellites. These technologies are used to automate the interpretation of satellite images, improving efficiency and accuracy in identifying patterns or anomalies.

For example, AI can help detect deforestation trends, track wildlife movement, or identify urban sprawl more effectively. The use of deep learning algorithms also aids in enhancing the resolution of satellite imagery, transforming low-resolution data into clearer and more useful insights.

  1. Focus on Climate Change and Environmental Monitoring

The growing awareness of climate change has increased demand for real-time monitoring of environmental conditions. Earth observation data plays a pivotal role in understanding and managing natural hazards, monitoring emissions, and tracking the effects of global warming on ecosystems.

Satellites are now equipped with sensors capable of tracking carbon emissions, sea-level rise, temperature anomalies, and atmospheric conditions. For instance, the launch of NASA’s Earth System Observatory and the European Space Agency’s Climate Change Initiative (CCI) are providing comprehensive datasets to monitor the Earth’s changing climate.

  1. The Role of Earth Observation in Disaster Management

Earth observation is crucial in disaster management, as it allows for rapid assessment and response during events such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires. Satellites equipped with radar sensors, for example, can offer valuable insights into flooded areas or the extent of wildfires, even in challenging weather conditions.

Furthermore, Earth observation is being integrated into early warning systems for natural disasters, helping governments and relief organizations make informed decisions and respond more quickly.

  1. Open Data and Access to EO Resources

There is an increasing trend towards the open availability of Earth observation data, allowing businesses, researchers, and governments to access critical insights without barriers. This movement has been driven by initiatives like the Copernicus Open Access Hub, where satellite data from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel missions are freely accessible.

This open data model supports innovation and helps ensure that environmental monitoring and research are not restricted by high costs. It also enables governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to better track environmental conditions in low-income regions.

  1. Growing Commercial Applications

As Earth observation technologies advance, private sector companies are increasingly integrating EO data into their products and services. From agriculture to logistics, insurance, and energy, businesses are finding new ways to use Earth observation for decision-making.

For example, in agriculture, satellite imagery is being used to assess crop health, predict harvest yields, and optimize irrigation. In the energy sector, Earth observation data helps in locating renewable energy sites, such as wind or solar farms, by analysing environmental conditions.

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond

The global Earth observation sector is undergoing a transformative phase, with innovations in satellite technology, AI-driven data analysis, and international collaboration. These developments are providing crucial tools for tackling global challenges such as climate change, resource management, and disaster response.

As we move forward, Earth observation will continue to evolve, offering unprecedented opportunities for businesses, governments, and organizations to gain deeper insights into the state of our planet and take proactive steps toward a more sustainable future.

Interested in learning about earth observation and remote sensing trends with the greatest minds in space? Attend The 40th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, taking place 17-21 March 2025. Find out more here.

Book Your Tickets

Tickets for The 40th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE-40) are now available to purchase.

Taking place at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, Hampshire, UK, from 17 to 21 March 2025, the Symposium is a global summit for world-renowned experts to share crucial, emerging knowledge in pursuit of protecting the planet and its people from harm.

ISRSE-40 Tickets:

Early bird tickets for the five-day event are available from £285 for students (saving £190) of and £760 (saving £235) for industry and academic professionals until 9 January 2025. In the New Year, tickets will increase to £475 for students and £995 for industry and academic professionals.

ADS Group members and SMEs (under 250 employees) tickets are priced at £685. All prices include VAT.

Tickets include:

Industry and academic professional – Buy Now

Student tickets – Apply Now

ADS Member – Apply Now

 

Call for papers:

ISRSE-40 is calling for contributions that push boundaries, explore synergies between EO and emerging technologies, and address the pressing challenges of the 21st century.

Submissions of innovative research, case studies, and technological advancements are requested for ISRSE-40, where academia and industry will break new ground by bridging the worlds of academia, industry, private sector, NGOs, and government bodies.

Submit an abstract.

As CEOS celebrates its 40th anniversary at the annual CEOS Plenary in Montreal, the CEOS Community of space and meteorological agencies and other groups has also renewed its collective commitment to CEOS’ mission and efforts in responding to global challenges for the good of humanity, with the agreement of the Montreal Statement.

Satellite Earth observation data can deliver significant public benefits in areas ranging from climate and biodiversity monitoring, disaster management, clean energy and urban planning.

The UK Space Agency’s role as CEOS Chair will be to oversee the activities of CEOS and ensure it is achieving the objectives of its work plan. The UK Space Agency has proposed four priorities to champion data-driven solutions for major global challenges over the 12-month period as Chair, within the theme of ‘Unlocking Earth Observation for Society’:

  1. Using Earth observation to improve public services.
  2. Increasing use of space data in the Global Stocktakes of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
  3. Supporting development of Methane emissions measurement best-practices.
  4. Inspiring the next generation through a new ‘CEOS in Schools’ initiative.

As Chair, an early task will be to represent CEOS on the global stage and promote its goals and objectives, starting at next month’s COP-29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and continuing throughout 2025.

L: CEOS Chair Éric Laliberté, R: UK Space Agency, Paul Bate CEO

Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “For 40 years, CEOS has been uniting the global community to champion the transformative potential of satellites and Earth Observation.  

I’m proud to be chairing this globally-valued committee and will use the next year to demonstrate how, by working together across borders, we can harness space technology for the benefit of our societies, our shared environment, and our economies.”  

Unlocking EO for Public Service:

The UK will create opportunities for CEOS’ agencies to share their national perspectives and explore how to bridge the gap between data and public sector services, including hosting a workshop in September 2025 ahead of the UK’s CEOS Plenary 2025, in Bath, Somerset in November.  This supports work to get Earth observation tools and information embedded into UK public sector policies at the national and local scale.

Éric Laliberté, CEOS Chair 2024 on behalf of the Canadian Space Agency said: “We congratulate the UK Space Agency on assuming the chairmanship role and are committed to ensuring that data-driven decisions pave the way for increasingly sustainable practices.

Together, we are advancing the role of satellite Earth observation in creating sustainable solutions for the future of our societies and natural environments.”

Unlocking EO for the Global Stocktake

The Global Stocktake of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a process for evaluating progress on climate action at a global level and identifying gaps. Over the next 12 months, the UK will work closely with Japanese Space Agency, JAXA, and the CEOS working group on Climate to study lessons learned from the previous Global Stocktake. The aim is to refine CEOS strategies to enhance the use of Earth observation data in the next Global stock-take for global climate action.

Professor John Remedios, NCEO Director, said: “The National Centre for Earth Observation is very pleased to see the UK taking on leadership on the world stage. The UK is able to contribute world-leading capability and methods in Earth Observation to the global community.

“Through this role in CEOS, the UK will be able to support the important collaborative efforts that agencies need to achieve to meet the challenges of climate and of resilience with commitment, rigour and Earth intelligence. We are delighted to be supporting the UKSA in its delegation with scientific advice and connectivity to the leading research in environmental science.”

Methane Best-Practices

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with a warming potential approximately ~80 times higher than carbon dioxide over 20 years. Reducing methane emissions is the quickest way to mitigate acute climate risks and is crucial for maintaining the 1.5-degree target. At COP26 in Glasgow, 158 countries committed to reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030.

The CEOS Greenhouse Gas Task Team is developing best practices for space-based methane measurements, which are crucial for addressing climate change.

This work, which is co-led by the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is developing a set of agreed accurate, transparent and trusted best practices for reporting Methane emissions at the facility scale. The UK Space Agency will promote the uptake of these best practices on a global scale, focusing on the Global Methane Pledge to unlock the potential of space-based solutions and support the UK’s commitment to reduce methane emissions.

Ally Barker, Vice-chair of the UKspace Trade Association’s EO Committee said: “This is an opportune time for the UK to demonstrate its leadership in Earth observation on the global stage.  UK industry looks forward to working closely with the UK Space Agency as it takes on the Chair of CEOS to maximise the societal and economic benefits of EO for the UK and the world.”

CEOS in Schools

The UK Space Agency is set to pilot a CEOS mechanism aimed at inspiring the next generation. This initiative will demonstrate to students, aged 14-16, how satellite Earth Observation is used to address global issues such as climate change, environmental protection, and disaster management, while also allowing those students to experience the power of international collaboration.

The programme will put experts into schools to bring the topics of climate and space to life and then bring students together from across the world for online workshops to discuss the topics with their peers. The programme will culminate in the first CEOS Youth Summit where students will have the opportunity to present and discuss their work with senior Earth observation experts, giving young people a voice in CEOS.

Met Office Services Director Simon Brown said: “It’s an exciting time for the UK to take up this prestigious role in CEOS. Earth observations are at the heart of us delivering world leading weather and climate services and we are proud of the observations we get through the collaboration of European member states at EUMETSAT and underpinned by national and ESA Missions.

“Access to Earth observations is changing and I look forward to working closely with UK Space Agency team to grow, influence and be part of the changing space endeavour to advance Earth observations to protect us from weather extremes.”

Submit an abstract or paper – deadline: 17 February 2025

The 40th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of the Environment (ISRSE-40), taking place 17-21 March 2025, has opened its call for papers.

Titled ‘Synergy in Sight: Harnessing Earth Observation for Sustainable Development’, the world-renowned symposium will explore the synergies between emerging technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global partnerships to foster a deeper understanding of Earth-system dynamics and their applications.

We are calling for contributions that push boundaries, explore synergies between EO and emerging technologies, and address the pressing challenges of the 21st century.

Key themes include:

We invite you to submit your innovative research, case studies, and technological advancements for ISRSE-40, where we will break new ground by bridging the worlds of academia, industry, private sector, NGOs, and government bodies.

Abstract submissions should be no more than 1000 words and two pages. Accepted abstracts will be peer-reviewed by two reviewers and published at The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, which contain the abstract-reviewed proceedings of all ISPRS Congresses, Symposia and selected Workshops.  These Archives are listed in the ISI Conference Proceedings Citation Index (CPCI) of the Web of Science, SCOPUS, the E/I Compendex, and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).

International Journal of Remote Sensing: Authors of selected abstracts may be invited to submit an extended paper for possible publication in a Special Edition of the International Journal of Remote Sensing.

Deadline: 17 February 2025.

Submit an abstract or paper

Please note: You will be asked to create a login for Oxford Abstracts to submit your abstract.

Attendee Support Packages

Support is being provided to students and early career scientists, apprentices and professionals attending ISRSE-40, with packages made available through funding from international space agencies. The packages will provide an opportunity for the next generation of Earth scientists to attend the symposium, while also promoting the importance of Earth observation for understanding and addressing global challenges to the wider space community. Packages will be provided to those who have been successfully selected for an abstract or poster.

Criteria applies.

Apply now

Convening upstream & downstream

Taking place in the UK for the first time in its 62-year history, ISRSE-40 will be co-located with the inaugural Farnborough International Space Show (FISS) 2025, which has been designed to pioneer the commercial space age and advance space domain defence.

The convergence of the two events will create the only opportunity for the global space industry to access the whole ecosystem – upstream and downstream – in one place, at the same time, at this scale in the UK.

This milestone will convene global leaders from across academia, industry, government, and non-governmental organizations to explore how EO can drive sustainable development and resilience across multiple sectors.

The UK will host the 40th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE-40) at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, Hampshire, from 17 to 21 March 2025. ISRSE-40 will run alongside the inaugural Farnborough International Space Show, an event which will pioneer the commercial space age.

Convened biennially since 1962, the Symposium is a global summit for world-renowned experts to share crucial, emerging knowledge in pursuit of protecting the planet and its people from harm.

The Symposium will host multiple international agencies including NASA and ESA, leading scientists, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners all dedicated to the advancement of remote sensing technologies and the data analysis pivotal to Earth observation capabilities and space applications.

Titled ‘Synergy in Sight: Harnessing Earth Observation for Sustainable Development’, the symposium will emphasise the integration of scientific and technological disciplines through Earth observation to promote sustainability, as well as nurturing the next generation of space professionals in the sector.

Organised by the International Committee for Remote Sensing of Environment (ICORSE), the biennial symposium will run alongside the Farnborough International Space Show 2025 thereby uniting key constituents of the international space community. Collaboration will foster innovation across the fields of remote sensing, Earth observation, and the wider international space ecosystem to drive sector advancements and accelerate new technologies.

A partnership between a consortium of UK-based organisations, including Farnborough International, National Centre for Earth Observation and Space South Central, and ICORSE, the event will foster international collaboration, drive innovation, and address key global challenges including climate change, resource management, and disaster response. Figures from ADS Group indicate significant growth to the UK space industry which directly employs 48,800 people, delivering high value jobs for a highly skilled workforce, and supports 2,300 apprentices across the sector. Turnover growth continues to increase year on year, reaching £17.5 billion in 2022 and adding £7 billion to the UK economy, with space exports valued £5.9 billion to the UK in 2022.

Discussing the announcement, John Latham, President, International Centre for remote Sensing of the Environment, said: “Hosting ISRSE40 offers a pivotal moment for the UK to affirm its leadership in the global space community, driving forward our commitments to innovation, education, and sustainable development. We are poised to deliver a conference that not only addresses today’s challenges but also inspires solutions for the future.”

Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, said: “We are thrilled to be the host venue of this monumental event, alongside the launch of the Farnborough International Space Show. For decades, the UK, and Farnborough in particular, has been a catalyst for pioneering new technologies and forging powerful relationships, so to convene the global space industry on our historic site is an invaluable opportunity to cement the UK’s position at the forefront of the international space market for academia, manufacturing and innovation.”

Steve Volz, from NOAA Federal, added: “NOAA is very impressed with the breadth and depth of the UK proposal to host ISRSE-40 alongside the Farnborough International Space Show next March.

“There is increasing demand across all scales of decision making for critical Earth observations and remote sensing information to help us understand our changing climate, manage our natural resources, and prepare and respond to natural hazards. At the same time, the rapid pace of technological advancement and a growing commercial space sector are changing the way we collect and exploit earth observations. ISRSE-40 will bring together the scientists, applied users, and space industry to advance innovation through enhanced collaboration, helping us all take action for people, the planet and prosperity. NOAA receives important contributions from all of these participants.”

The Farnborough International Space Show is the UK’s largest international event pioneering the commercial space age and advancing space domain defence. The inaugural annual exhibition and conference is a catalyst for the future of international space innovation, connecting the space ecosystem across industry, defence, government and academia on a global scale.

Register your interest in ISRSE-40 here