ESA APEx presents services to streamline EO innovation to operations

Revolutionize Earth observation services

ESA APEx is pleased to present an initial set of dedicated services to enhance the reuse and integration of Earth observation (EO) project results across the broader EO community.

APEx is a pioneering initiative dedicated to simplifying the transition of Earth observation research and development into operational, scalable, and FAIR-compliant cloud-based services, enabling broader reuse and efficiencies across the EO ecosystem.
 

APEx aims to bridge the gap between R&D and operations by offering a suite of services that empower scientists and developers to unlock the full potential of EO data and tools. EO users, projects or platform providers can request access to an innovative collection of project tools or tailored support to transform their algorithms, workflows and applications into cloud-based EO services.
 

Transforming EO applications and algorithms into reusable on-demand services

The APEx algorithm services provide tailored support to preserve, enhance, and transform EO project outcomes into scalable and reusable on-demand services. By emphasizing on FAIR principles and providing a customized support pathway for projects, APEx facilitates the seamless integration of algorithms, workflows, and applications into modern cloud platforms by providing integration guidelines, ensuring their long-term accessibility and usability. This commitment of long-term availability is further strengthened through APEx's integration with the ESA Network of Resources, fostering the continued reuse and impact of services even after project closure.

In addition, APEx also supports projects by optimizing the computational performance of source code and services. Beyond individual project outcomes, APEx is also working on the cloudification of key EO toolboxes , transforming key functionalities into accessible on-demand services for the EO community.

Algorithm Services Catalogue and Data Catalogue

Two of APEx's key resources are its Algorithm Services and Data Catalogue.

The Algorithm Services Catalogue features a curated collection of EO applications and algorithms that have been transformed into FAIR-compliant cloud service implementations. These services are hosted on existing cloud platforms, ready for execution. To ensure quality, APEx employs automated benchmarking to verify the availability and validate the outputs of each service.

The Data Catalogue federates access to multiple EO data and product repositories, including connections to ESA's long-term project result repository. This catalogue simplifies the discovery of datasets and products generated through various EO projects, while safeguarding their open and long-term accessibility and usability.
 

Tailored cloud-based project environments accelerate EO innovation

The Project Environments are cloud-based tools offered as Software as a Service (SaaS) components that form integrated project development and collaboration environments. These tools and components are deployed on-demand and allow projects to start working productively right from the start, with relevant datasets and algorithms readily available that align with their specific needs and project context. The project environment components include:
 

• Geospatial Explorer: A powerful dashboard/webGIS for visualising and analysing spatial data
• Web Portal: A dedicated website for your project
• Collaboration Workspaces: A shared project workspace enriched with EO tools such as Visual Studio Code Server, Jupyter Lab and a dedicated user workspace
• Product Catalogue: A centralized repository for discovering and sharing all data relevant to your project
• Documentation Hub: An online portal for collecting and disseminating project documentation.
• User Forum: A  community-driven space for knowledge exchange and collaboration.
   

The APEx services are delivered by VITO Remote Sensing, Terradue, Brockmann Consult, Sparkgeo, and Inuits, under guidance of ESA. This consortium hosts a wealth of expertise on key EO technologies and across various EO domains.

Officially launched on April 15, 2024, the APEx project is set to run until April 2026, with a three-year extension phase planned. With APEx, ESA reaffirms its commitment to advancing Earth observation capabilities, ensuring that the tools and technologies of today become the sustainable solutions of tomorrow.