Expanding the Access to Hyperspectral Remote Sensing: Open Science and Education Initiatives by the EnMAP Science Segment

Kurzfassung

Hyperspectral remote sensing offers novel opportunities to develop innovative products and services within the framework of the European Copernicus programme, addressing global environmental challenges and supporting policy implementation. Recent years have witnessed rapid advancements, driven by the launch of scientific hyperspectral satellite missions such as EnMAP, PRISMA and DESIS, paving the way for ESA’s upcoming flagship mission CHIME. Despite significant advances within the scientific community, widespread use of hyperspectral remote sensing remains limited due to challenges such as technical complexity, restricted access to tools and data, and a lack of tailored educational resources. Addressing these challenges requires dedicated efforts in education and user engagement to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and practical applications, enabling broader use by non-experts. The EnMAP Science Segment has embraced Open Science principles to make hyperspectral knowledge and tools more accessible. As part of the EnMAP mission, a comprehensive scientific programme fostering Open Science activities has been established, coordinated by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), supported by the German Space Agency at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and partnered with leading institutions including the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), the Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU). This programme encompasses the development and provision of algorithms and applications, the free and open-source EnMAP-Box software, benchmark datasets, and the HYPERedu training initiative. HYPERedu plays a pivotal role in both, bringing scientific developments into education, and preparing users for the effective uptake of hyperspectral (EnMAP) data in research. As well as addressing the needs of public authorities, and the potential industry players developing commercial applications based upon hyperspectral EnMAP data. HYPERedu addresses graduate students at master level and professionals in academia, industry, and governmental institutions offering a variety of freely accessible learning resources. These include Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), annotated slide collections, hands-on tutorials built on the EnMAP-Box software, educational films and screencasts as well as interactive graphics. All materials are freely available under a CC-BY license and hosted on the EO-College platform, facilitating their integration into university curricula, professional training programmes, and self-paced learning. We present an overview of the ongoing efforts by the EnMAP science community to translate science knowledge into educational tools through HYPERedu, with MOOCs being the most developed educational initiatives. These MOOCs are designed for flexible, self-paced learning, combining fundamental knowledge with hands-on exercises using the EnMAP-Box, and participants earning a certificate upon completion. The first MOOC, "Beyond the Visible: Introduction to Hyperspectral Remote Sensing," launched in November 2021, covers the fundamentals of imaging spectroscopy. Subsequent MOOCs have addressed agricultural applications (2022), EnMAP data access (2023), and soil applications (2024). Further applied topics such as forestry, geology, and coastal waters expanding the resources will become accessible in the near future. HYPERedu, with its MOOCs, are well-received and currently spearheading education in hyperspectral remote sensing, as well as further enhancements are considered to stay aligned with evolving educational trends. Through this contribution, we further aim to actively gather insights and foster discussions on future directions on how to expand content and integrate innovative learning technologies. Bridging scientific development with education offers a valuable opportunity to ensure broader access and optimize the use of modern Earth Observation technologies. In this context, the EnMAP Science Segment , through its HYPERedu initiative, underscores the importance of education in facilitating the widespread adoption of hyperspectral remote sensing, making this discipline accessible to a diverse user community.