Earth observation hyperspectral remote sensing in agriculture: capacity building experience within the Horizon Europe EXPERT project between ASI, DLR, and ROSA space agencies

Abstract

Missions such as DESIS, PRISMA, and EnMAP boost Hyperspectral (HS) Earth Observation (EO) applications, including agriculture. However, algorithms and methodological workflows are not yet fully shared outside the specialist scientific community and towards downstream applications. Furthermore, these developments may mostly remain unrealized opportunities for those countries without long-standing tradition of HS remote sensing or companies producing HS sensors. Within Horizon Europe 'Reaching Excellence in Hyperspectral Remote Sensing' (EXPERT) project Grant Agreement No. 101160059, the Italian and German Space Agencies (ASI and DLR, respectively) are training Romanian Space Agency (ROSA) staff to build specialist competence and hands-on technical skills in HS. EXPERT foresees research use-cases focused on mining, agricultural and cultural heritage. To address the agriculture use-case, research activities are undertaken at Moara Domnească Didactic Farm, northeast of Bucharest. PRISMA and EnMAP image analysis is integrated with field measurements, including collections of relevant spectra using hand-held spectrometer and laboratory analysis on soil and vegetation samples. The first fieldwork campaign was carried out between the end of June and July 2025 and others are planned throughout the crop cycle. While these activities serve to set up the experiment, they are also opportunities to undertake capacity building on field spectroscopy and generation of applications products from hyperspectral satellite imagery. The EXPERT capacity building will prepare towards data exploitation of future spaceborne missions such as the Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission (CHIME).