https://medium.com/@geonextgis/getting-started-with-microsoft-planetary-computer-stac-api-67cbebe96e5e

Getting Started with Microsoft Planetary Computer STAC API

7 min read

2 days ago

By Krishnagopal Halder, Student of Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing, Geospatial Geek, ML Enthusiast.

About the Author:

Krishnagopal Halder is an emerging student in the field of geospatial technology, driven by a passion for leveraging cutting-edge tools to address pressing challenges in agricultural studies, climate change, and disaster management. With a focus on integrating GIS, Remote Sensing, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning techniques, Krishnagopal aims to contribute to innovative solutions for understanding and mitigating environmental risks. His current interests lie in harmonizing the power of geospatial analysis and advanced data science methodologies to enhance decision-making processes and facilitate sustainable practices in agriculture, climate resilience, and disaster preparedness.

Description:

The Microsoft Planetary Computer is a powerful platform designed to provide access to petabytes of geospatial data and computational resources for Earth observation and environmental analysis. It offers a vast repository of satellite imagery, climate data, and other geospatial datasets, facilitating advanced research and analysis in fields such as climate change, conservation, agriculture, urban planning, and disaster response.

Differentiating from Google Earth Engine, the Microsoft Planetary Computer boasts several unique features and capabilities. While both platforms offer access to a wealth of geospatial data and tools for analysis, there are notable distinctions:

Openness and Collaboration: The Microsoft Planetary Computer emphasizes open data principles and encourages partnerships with governments, research institutions, and non-profits to address environmental challenges collaboratively.
Scalability and Performance: Powered by Azure cloud services, the platform offers robust infrastructure for processing large-scale geospatial datasets, ensuring rapid analysis and visualization of complex data.
Interoperability: Supporting open standards like SpatioTemporal Asset Catalog (STAC), the Planetary Computer facilitates seamless data access and integration with external tools and platforms, promoting interoperability across systems.
Environmental Focus: Unlike Google Earth Engine, the Planetary Computer maintains a specific focus on environmental issues, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions and take action to promote sustainability and mitigate environmental risks.