Bursts of radio waves coming from outside our solar system have puzzled scientists since their discovery in 2007. By combining a radio telescope with machine learning software, the EU-funded MeerTRAP project was able to pinpoint the origin of these signals. As well as uncovering new celestial bodies, the system is helping physicists test their theories.
When disaster strikes, it is crucial to locate and rescue trapped victims as quickly as possible. EU-funded research is helping to optimise the use of new technologies by urban search-and-rescue teams to minimise loss of life.
EU-funded researchers have gleaned important insights into the composition, topography and activity of a comet, helping scientists prepare for the next close encounter with these icy, dusty remnants from the formation of the solar system.
Ongoing progress towards a Cooperative Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS) will require precise positioning capabilities. EU-funded research has made it possible to achieve precision positioning with an accuracy of up to 25cm using combined technologies.
Coastal waters around the world are under threat from land-based pollutants that affect water quality, marine ecosystems and tourism. An EU-funded project is creating an IT-based platform to support applications that use earth observation (EO) to monitor coastal waters.
The European Union has established stringent requirements for the monitoring from space of man-made greenhouse gases (GHGs). An EU-funded project is developing a miniaturised spectrometer to be mounted on small satellites. This will enable scientists to meet the specifications for GHG monitoring and ultimately help us to better understand climate change.
Conventional methods of mapping the sea floor are slow and expensive. EU-funded researchers used satellite-derived techniques combined with crowd-sourced depth soundings to map large areas quickly and at lower cost.
The expansion of the world's population poses a number of urgent challenges, including increasing food production. An EU-funded project is developing an Earth observation (EO)-based IT platform that provides key information and advisory services to small farmers, to help them play their part in meeting future food needs.
An EU-funded infrastructure project is enhancing international cooperation for research and monitoring in the Arctic. This is providing a better understanding of environmental change, and how to adapt to it.
Europe's coastline covers tens of thousands of kilometres, providing many opportunities for crime and illegal or irregular entry. An EU-funded project has developed aerial surveillance technology to help protect and secure these vulnerable sea borders.
