Desert Movement Prediction Center : Earth Observation as a Means to Combat Desertification

1. Desert Movement Prediction Center: Earth Observation as a Means to Combat Desertification INTERNATIONAL SPACE UNIVERSITY 2012 Team Project on Africa UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits Minsk, 11th–15th November 2013 Ricardo Topham Presenter Sponsored by:

2. OUTLINE • The International Space University • Context of project • Desert Movement Prediction Center • Conclusions

3. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits What is ISU? • A diverse international student body learning from an experienced international faculty to gain an interdisciplinary understanding of space in an intercultural learning environment. • Excellence in Space Education for a Changing World. • Dedicated to the peaceful use of outer space for the betterment of and benefit to humanity. • Provides a competitive edge to begin careers in space-related fields (~75% of ISU alumni work in the space sector). • International network of leading space experts and professionals.

4. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits ISU Milestones • 1987 – ISU Founding Conference at MIT, USA led by Todd Hawley, Peter Diamandis, and Bob Richards; Founding Chancellor: Sir Arthur C. Clarke • 1988 – 1st Summer Session Program (now Space Studies Program) at MIT • 1993 – Strasbourg, France selected as location for ISU Central Campus • 1995 – 1st Master of Space Studies started in August • 2000 – Groundbreaking for ISU Central Campus in Illkirch–Graffenstaden • 2002 – ISU Central Campus Opening • 2003 – 1st Executive Space Course • 2004 – Recognition by the French Ministry of Education • 2009 – 1st Executive MBA class • 2011 – 1stSouthern Hemisphere Summer Space Program

5. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits The ISU Community The 3700+ ISU alumni come from over 100 countries! 75% of ISU alumni work in the space sector

6. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits ISU Programs at a Glance Academic Programs Executive Development Program ISU also offers Professional Development Programs & Short Courses/Workshops

7. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits Space Studies Host Sites 1988–2015 SSP12 – FIT/NASA KSC, USA SSP13 – Strasbourg, FRANCE SSP14 – Montréal, CANADA SSP15 – Ohio University, OH, USA (09 June – 08 August 2014)

8. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits Master in Space Studies • The Master of Space Studies (MSS) takes place in ISU’s Central Campus in Strasbourg between September and August. • The curriculum is based around 8 disciplines: • 3I Space (3IS) • Human Performance in Space (HPS) • Space Applications (APP) • Space Engineering (ENG) • Space Humanities (HUM) • Space Management and Business (MGB) • Space Policy Economics and Law (PEL) • Space Sciences (SCI) • Each discipline led by a member of the resident faculty.

9. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits Southern Hemisphere Summer Space Program • 5–week intensive, live-in program • For junior and senior level undergraduates, graduates, and young professionals • 06 January to 07 February 2014 • Joint program with University of South Australia • Full academic credit through UniSA

10. OUTLINE • The International Space University • Context of the project • Desert Movement Prediction Center • Conclusions

11. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits

12. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits CONTEXT OF THE PROJECT • Project Africa for Space or Space for Africa? How did “space” fit? • Using 3 different countries as examples, we proposed and analyzed innovative space spin–off technologies, satellite applications, and space business potentials. • Selection based on current space capabilities and location, social development, technology level, infrastructure, and other related characteristics: • Nations with space agencies (HST). • Nations with space involvement but no space agency (MST) • Nations with no space involvement or capabilities (LST). • Earth Observation main component in 2 ideas: • Desert Movement Prediction Center. • FarmaBooths.

13. GOAL To analyze and propose innovative space spin–off technologies, satellite applications, and space business potentials applicable in fostering sustained social and economic development across the African continent

14. IDEAS for Africa Target Countries South Africa Ready to explore Morocco Eager to grow Liberia Looking for change

15. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits CONTEXT OF THE PROJECT

16. OUTLINE • The International Space University • Context of project • Desert Movement Prediction Center • Conclusions

17. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits DESERT MOVEMENT PREDICTION CENTER Combating desertification Desertification in Africa • Desertification ––> fertile lands turning arid • Causes: • Over grazing • Inordinate firewood gathering • Inefficient use of water • Excessive agricultural harvest • Transportation infrastructure • Winds, erosion, and salination • Major challenge for urban planning, farmlands, and contributes to poverty

18. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits DESERT MOVEMENT PREDICTION CENTER Desertification mitigation • Land restoration • Halting cultivation • Crop conversion • Stabilizing sands • Shelterbelts • Fallow band systems China’s “Great Green Wall” to prevent advancement of Gobi desert [Source: Buczynski]

19. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits DESERT MOVEMENT PREDICTION CENTER Instruments Used Using LiDAR to track winds [Source: ESA]

20. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits DESERT MOVEMENT PREDICTION CENTER Implementation

21. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits DESERT MOVEMENT PREDICTION CENTER Implementation MODIS – Land surface temperature (LST) MODIS – Vegetation (EVI)

22. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits DESERT MOVEMENT PREDICTION CENTER Implementation • Establish Desert Movement Prediction Center • Main functions: • Collect satellite data • Image processing and analysis • Dune movement research • Desert movement predictions and recommendations Main costs * Assuming project running for 5 years ** Cost of SAR images for 3 million km2 target area

23. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits DESERT MOVEMENT PREDICTION CENTER Implementation • Desert sand movement occurs in 2 ways: • Movement of sand dunes across the desert. • Movement of the desert’s edge. • Desert edge movement can be easily monitored using optical or multispectral imagery, as well as radar. However, sand dunes are composed mainly of sand, which is difficult to monitor using the aforementionedtechniques. We classified sand dune movement in 3 groups: • Violent desert movement: e.g. sand storms, with sand movements >1km/hr • Moderate desert movement: movement of sand mountains ~1m/day • Passive desert movement: slow sand drift <1m/day

24. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits DESERT MOVEMENT PREDICTION CENTER Implementation • We estimated that establishing a DMPC will involve 4 developmentphases: • Phase A – Clarifying and defining DMPC concept and goals (9 months) • Phase B –Designing DMPC organization and structure, and securing financing (12 months) • Phase C –Acquiring personnel, hardware, software, and other necessary resources (9 months) • Phase D –Operations (as long as needed) Dunes encroaching Nouakchott, capital of Mauritania [Source: NASA]

25. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits Desert Movement Prediction Center SWOT Analysis

26. OUTLINE • The International Space University • Context of project • Desert Movement Prediction Center • Conclusions

27. UN Belarus Workshop on Space Technology Applications for Socio–Economic Benefits CONCLUSIONS • Desert Movement Prediction Center: • Aligned with UN strategy to combat desertification. • Implementation feasible with existing sensors + technology + expertise. • Estimated annual cost of $6 million/year, benefiting simultaneously several countries, e.g. application to Sahara desert.

28. Acknowledgements: ISU Team Project Members, especially: Chris Johnson, Rafael Hernández Villatoro, and Stavros Georgakas NASA for their Team Project sponsorship The UN, Secure World Foundation, and the Belarus State University for giving us the opportunity to present

29. Report available at: • africa.isunet.edu • click on • Final Report in PDF • Thank You Sponsored by: