[Reading Science] Why Observe Terrestrial Animals from Space?

NASA Supports Animal Internet to Monitor Climate Change
ICARUS Project Collaborates with the US Instead of Russian Space Station

March 3rd is the ‘World Wildlife Day’ designated by the United Nations (UN). To mark this year’s World Wildlife Day, the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) posted several animal-related photos on the social networking service X (formerly Twitter) and introduced related research. One might wonder why NASA studies animals, but there are sufficient reasons. The movements of animals captured through satellite imagery provide not only observations of environmental and ecosystem changes but also clues about climate change.

Since ancient times, animals have served as sensors detecting special natural phenomena such as earthquakes that humans cannot sense or predict. In the 19th century, miners worked with canaries. Sensitive to toxic gases, canaries were valuable for warning about gas leaks. Attempts to utilize animals’ special abilities or their migration routes with advanced technology are increasing. This is called the 'Internet of Animal.'

Scientists attach various sensors to animals to track their migration routes. This can be used to understand how diseases like avian influenza spread or to improve habitat management and conservation. Combining animal migration data with Earth observation information greatly enhances the quality of data.

A representative example is the Tiger Shark. Marine biologist Austin Gallagher, while tracking tiger sharks near the Bahamas in the Atlantic Ocean in 2016 by attaching satellite transmitters, discovered something new. The tiger sharks were moving away from the coastline toward two underwater hills extending toward Cuba. Upon investigation, it was found that this area was a previously unknown extensive seagrass habitat. Because of the abundance of prey, tiger sharks gathered there.

Thanks to this, the total area of seagrass beds known to humans increased by 40%. While terrestrial forests are important, the significance of seagrass should not be overlooked. Seagrass serves as a habitat for various organisms and can capture carbon through photosynthesis up to tens of times faster than terrestrial plants. Expanding seagrass beds means reducing carbon, which can help combat global warming. This could be a better outcome than developing complex carbon capture technologies. LG Chem has also undertaken restoration of seagrass habitats that absorb carbon in the sea near Yeosu.

(From the top left clockwise) Duck, skunk, manatee, crocodile, and other animals equipped with GPS receivers. Photo by NASA

NASA is also paying special attention to the Internet of Animal. NASA has launched a five-year project for the Internet of Animal. NASA explains that by combining remote sensing data of animals with Earth observation data, scientists can understand food and climate information. This is why NASA, which launches spacecraft and observes celestial bodies in deep space, uses Earth remote sensing data to observe the ecological impact of beaver habitat restoration.

Technological advancements have created various methods to observe animals from space. Space-based animal tracking systems are developing in conjunction with artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technologies capable of processing large volumes of data.

A representative example is the ICARUS project, which observes animal ecology from space. The ICARUS project tracked the behavior of 46 animal species by using a data transceiver on the International Space Station to track signals sent from transmitters attached to animals. The ICARUS project was suspended after the Russia-Ukraine war due to its use of the Russian space station.

In response, the team led by Martin Wikelski, director of the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior in Germany, developed smaller and cheaper sensors and shifted research toward receiving signals via CubeSats, which are miniature satellites. NASA also joined the Internet of Animal through CubeSats. Experimental satellites have already been launched, and CubeSats are receiving data sent by animals. The place tracking the information sent by animals is NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which previously developed rocket engines.

A world map created using information obtained from sensors attached to various animals by the Icarus Project from March to November 2021. Source=Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior

The Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior aims to implement the Internet of Animal to verify whether the new system can reveal how ecosystems and climate are changing and how animals respond to these changes. Director Wikelski explains, "We now have a better way to observe the Earth than before." He also expects that "attaching sophisticated sensors to fish, birds, seals, and various terrestrial animals can provide data to respond to climate change."

NASA emphasizes that Earth observation through the combination of space technology and the Internet of Animal is an important method to understand how the environment affects animal behavior and how this relationship may change in the future with Earth’s environmental changes.

With NASA’s support, more CubeSats are expected to be launched, expanding the scope and depth of research. The second CubeSat receiver is scheduled to be launched this year, and the third CubeSat next year.