Oct 9, 2024 – Nearly two years have passed since Albania launched its first satellites, “Albania 1” and “Albania 2.” Concerns are growing over their effectiveness. They are not delivering on the $6 million investment. Despite their potential, the satellites have mostly been used to create geospatial maps. So far, they have shown little return on investment.
The satellites, which were sent into orbit in January 2023, are among the 8,700 orbiting Earth, placing Albania in the ranks of the 80 countries with space assets. Yet, apart from generating thematic maps for incidents like recent forest fires in Peshtan and Pishë-Poro, their use has been limited.
The Ministry of Defence stated recently, “The thematic maps of the areas affected by the fire in Peshtan and Pishë-Poro of Fier were created using Artificial Intelligence. These maps helped analyze and evaluate the damaged area.”
The fires in Peshtan and Pishë-Poro have been among the most significant natural disasters. Additionally, a flood and landslide have occurred in recent months. The Ministry noted that the satellites had helped recognize affected areas. They mapped out layers that showed buildings, roads, and different types of vegetation damaged by the fires.
However, despite such contributions, the satellites have yet to prove their value beyond these emergency applications. According to official data, 29 institutions have accessed satellite images, mainly governmental bodies like agencies, municipalities, and ministries.
While the Ministry of Defence reported some progress, including meetings with 16 key institutions and specialised training for over 200 experts, many are asking whether these efforts are enough to justify the high costs. Albania’s satellites, designed to track everything from fires and floods to land degradation, are being called upon to deliver more substantial benefits in the coming years.
For now, though the satellites continue to photograph the country and map out critical areas, it remains to be seen whether they can meet the full scope of their intended purpose.
