{"id":15701,"date":"2016-11-17T14:40:04","date_gmt":"2016-11-17T19:40:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/the-profits-are-out-there\/"},"modified":"2016-11-17T14:40:04","modified_gmt":"2016-11-17T19:40:04","slug":"the-profitis-out-there","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/the-profitis-out-there\/","title":{"rendered":"The Profit\u2026is Out There"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The first digital camera was developed by Kodak engineer, Steven Sasson, in 1975. The resolution was 0.01 megapixels and it took 23 seconds to take the first digital picture.[1] <\/sup>Eighteen years prior, in 1957 the Soviet Union successfully launched the first satellite, Sputnik I after spending millions of dollars.[2] <\/sup>Shortly thereafter, Sputnik II was launched, carrying a dog into space. The Soviet Union had accomplished an incredible feat, and triggered the space race. The first computer, invented in the late 1940\u2019s, weighed over 50 tons and took up 1,800 square feet.[3]<\/sup><\/p>\n

Luckily for us, technology has improved since. In fact, in 1965, Gordon Moore developed the theory that every two years, the processing power of computers will double as twice as many chips can fit on each board. Known as Moore\u2019s Law, this hypothesis has held true for the last 50 years, and technology has improved at an exponential rate. [4]\u00a0 <\/sup>Now, the cost of launching satellites into orbit can be as low as $40,000 (Cubesat).[5]<\/sup><\/p>\n

In 2016, URSA Space Systems is beginning to commercialize the field of satellite imagery. As processing power has increased dramatically, vast amounts of data can not only be collected but also analyzed and processed in a meaningful way. URSA Space Systems is going to launch strings of synchronized satellites into the atmosphere, and take constant real-time images of the Earth\u2019s surface. They currently are developing capabilities to provide imaging of any area at 12 hour intervals, and 3-meter resolution imagery. Their business model derives revenues through subscription services to imaging and analysis, with premium packages available for higher frequency updates to data. These high-resolution images can be taken through the cloud layer, through smog, and despite darkness.<\/p>\n

\"planet-see-world\"<\/a><\/p>\n

(Concept Art from competitor, Planet Imaging, www.planet.com)<\/p>\n

URSA Space Systems is currently providing imaging, tracking, and analysis services for the oil industry, shipping, and commodities. By tracking the utilization of oil tanks, shipping lanes, and commodity piles, they are providing data that is otherwise extremely difficult to obtain \u2013 especially in regions throughout China, where reported data is unreliable. Having real-time objective data indicating the utilization, stockpiles, and volume of commodities around the world can lead to great information advantages for traders and investors. Approximately $15.6 million in commodities contracts are traded per day, and the impact of global commodities markets would also affect the nearly $4 trillion daily market for currencies. [6]<\/sup><\/p>\n

\"ursa\"<\/a><\/p>\n

(Ursa Space Systems Website)<\/p>\n

While their current operating model depends on providing value to these three industry groups, going forward, the data and services provided by URSA Space Systems will be of high value to a variety of other industries as well:<\/p>\n