Beyond the Satellites - Interactive Borderless Empowerment of Satellite Data

“Beyond the Satellites” is an interactive exhibit which focuses on the arc of tension between regional and global contexts and their relationship based on Copernicus data sets. The intention is to provide laypersons orientation through information to sensitize what importance Copernicus data sets represent in providing authoritative information about past, present and future climate. The concept of mediation between regional and global covers multi-national information & training activities via an innovative, intuitive interface. This will be done in an interactive and playful way with the possibility to leverage the activities in several phases. This format enables the public to explore and give a prospect for future use of Copernicus data sets, applications and services. In the first phase the exhibit-prototype focuses on climate relevant data in order to show beauty and fragility of our planet. It is necessary to start with a local dataset showing changes and impacts (e.g. examples from NEREUS network) - so users can identify with the current situation in order to understand the global dimension. Furthermore, interesting projects and approaches based on Copernicus data will be integrated in a staged process. Other Copernicus Earth Observation services like CAMS, CMEMS, CLMS, EMS or security will be merged to show the aftermath of climate change. Entrusted entity for data consultation will be ESA’s ESRIN department as a long-term partner of Ars Electronica.

This concept of presentation and interaction of this exhibit prototype will attract laypersons. The youth and the elderly persons will be directly addressed and the age group in between will be targeted at least indirectly from the other two user groups. That approach works within Ars Electronica Center Linz since more than two decades and has also been proved with exhibitions and activities in- and outside Ars Electronica Center (Spaceship Earth Exhibition, ESERO program, SpaceEU).

The exhibit prototype will be designed as a multiscreen setup with a special surface showing different “data windows” for data to appear. The main topic is represented by an “acryl – glass-storyboard” which is the main interface for the user to interact with. This “acryl – glass-storyboard” will be put from its foundation to the main screen position on the table. This storyboard can be explored: by doing this it will light up (with backlight animation from the screen behind it) and give indications about the current state of the narrative on the other “data windows” (Screens). In a nutshell “Beyond the Satellites” is an exhibit designed for laypersons to generate awareness for the topic of climate change. The role of Copernicus satellites and their capabilities to show the dramatic aftermaths needs to be outlined to the public (laypersons) to enrich the general discussion on climate change and the importance of the Copernicus program.

An exemplarily first view of objectives in terms of use-case topics are:

• Heat waves
• Droughts
• Forest fires
• Flooding
• Rising sea level
• Decreasing water quality and availability of water resources
• Melting ice & rising areas