- Community Spotlight, Success Stories, Uncategorized
- Satellite Science & Environmental Intelligence
Evaluating the Use of Earth Observations Digital Twin Technologies

Earth Observations Digital Twin technologies are data analytics, artificial intelligence, and advanced modeling technologies that provide an estimate of the true state of the Earth. An Earth Systems Digital Twin is observations-based and grid-flexible with multiple components and high-resolution data over space and time to capture all available observations and feed a variety of direct observations to users. Adding or removing data is flexible, cost-efficient, and agile with fast processing. NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) is exploring the use of this technology.
Through their joint venture program, they contracted three companies to each developed a prototype to explore this technology. CSS employee owners (formerly Riverside staff) were responsible for evaluating these prototypes. Our staff evaluated the code for each Earth Observations Digital Twin prototype and explored using them for enhancing the ability to process, monitor, quality-control, consolidate, fuse, and assimilate environment observations and streamline the satellite data ground processing. Our staff provided feedback and recommendations to NESDIS regarding the validity and integrity of using an Earth Observations Digital Twin, and whether or not they could be used for potential future applications.

Learn more about how NESDIS is exploring the use of Earth Observations Digital Twin.
See More CSS Insights

Engaging in New and Emergent Satellite Technologies
CSS employee owners (formerly Riverside employees) support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service’s (NESDIS) Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR). STAR is the science arm of NESDIS, which acquires and manages the nation’s environmental satellites for NOAA. Satellite observations are critical to informing situational awareness and…

Supporting Response Efforts Following California Fires
Following the fires that devastated Los Angeles, California and surrounding areas in January 2025, CSS employee owners were deployed to the area as a subcontractor to Weston Solutions, Inc. to assist with the response. This effort supports U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 Superfund Technical Assessment & Response Team (START) program. Initially, a CSS…

Monitoring Algal Blooms for Harmful Toxins
CSS employee owners support NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) Sensor Development Team in their efforts to detect and monitor these harmful algal blooms in coastal waters where they are likely to occur. HAB monitoring is critical for detecting harmful toxins produced by some algae. When present in over…