# Advances in Remote Sensing and Propulsion Systems for Earth Observation Nanosatellites
## 3 Earth Observation
### Specialized Applications  
Beyond traditional EO applications, nanosatellites are increasingly being used in specialized areas such as wildfire prevention, sustainable land management, space biology, and deep-space exploration. These emerging applications demonstrate the versatility and adaptability of nanosatellites in addressing modern scientific and environmental challenges. This Section discusses studies that highlight the innovative and diverse applications of nanosatellites in specialized fields. Nanosatellites or CubeSats can be used in specialized applications, such as real-time observation in natural disasters, or as a monitoring system for the prevention of wildfires, which are mainly due to climate change. They can also be used for tree monitoring inside and outside forests for sustainable land management [39]. [PERSON] et al. [40] evaluated the image quality of nSight-1 CubeSat imagery and explored potential applications for the mission. Although Landsat 8 OLI images exhibited superior image quality and interpretability compared to nSight-1, the latter still demonstrated high-quality imagery with notable interpretability, as evidenced by an average NIIRS value of 1.622 and consistently good-to-excellent spatial image quality scores. The imagery analysis revealed a wealth of potential applications for nSight-1 data, spanning urban delineation, forestry assessment, geological mapping, agricultural monitoring, and disaster management. To expand the utility of nSight-1 data, the authors advocate for future missions to consider developing CubeSat constellations with increased spectral bands, particularly in the visible and near-infrared regions, alongside efforts to enhance radiometric calibration for improved data quality. Such advancements could further elevate the role of nanosatellites in facilitating timely and comprehensive EO endeavors. [PERSON] et al. [41] propose that the culmination of NASA Ames Research Center's efforts in small satellite technology, particularly showcased through the BioSentinel mission, marks a significant advancement in space biology and astrobiology research. Building upon the success of previous CubeSat missions in low Earth orbit (LEO), BioSentinel represents a \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Method Used** & **Evaluation Metric** & **Reference** \\ \hline Historical research on SO evolution, emphasizing its role in climate studies and maritime surveillance. & Advancement in ocean monitoring, Contribution to climate change mitigation. & [33] \\ \hline Improving nLw estimates from nanosatellite sensors, focusing on calibration and band duplication. & Promising effectiveness in improving nLw measurements, High spatial resolution for near-shore analysis. & [34] \\ \hline Mapping SAV and Sargassum biomass with PS imagery, integrating BRI algorithm. & 92.52\% accuracy in SAV mapping, High accuracy in biomass estimation. & [35] \\ \hline Monitoring coral reefs with Planet Dove data, accurately mapping reef extent and habitat features. & Feasibility for reef monitoring, Essential for conservation efforts. & [36] \\ \hline Calculating SDB with PS CubeSats, meeting navigation standards. & Promising accuracy in shallow waters, Compliance with navigation standards. & [37] \\ \hline Assessing PS images for mapping benthic habitat and seagrass, highlighting dynamic coastal ecosystem monitoring. & Consistent performance in minimizing temporal bias, Comparable results with high-resolution satellites. & [38] \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 6: EO methods used for oceanography monitoring. pioneering endeavor as the first biological CubeSat to venture into deep space beyond the Earth-Moon system. With its 4U biosensing payload, BioSentinel aims to assess the repair of radiation-induced DNA damage in eukaryotic cells over an extended duration, shedding light on the effects of deep-space radiation on living organisms.