JACIE Bulletin
The JACIE Bulletin is a biannual update designed to keep the remote sensing community informed about the latest developments and findings from the Joint Agency Commercial Imagery Evaluation (JACIE). Collaborating across agencies including NASA, NGA, NOAA, NRO, USDA, and USGS, JACIE plays a crucial role in characterizing and evaluating remote sensing data.
Updated June 23, 2025
This page provides updates about the many aspects of JACIE, including: annual JACIE Workshops, ongoing assessments and outcomes, recent satellite mission launches, and upcoming meetings.
JACIE Workshops
The JACIE workshop is an annual effort to engage federal agencies, their partners, and the commercial remote sensing industry. A key goal of the workshop is to understand the characteristics and capabilities of current and new data sources, along with the quality of data they provide.
JACIE 2025 Workshop Summary
The 25th Annual JACIE Workshop brought together over 400 experts from 25 countries in a hybrid format to celebrate a quarter-century of advancing satellite imagery quality and collaboration.
The workshop featured 94 presentations across cutting-edge topics including AI, hyperspectral imaging, thermal monitoring, and geolocation precision. Key themes included improved data interoperability, satellite calibration standards, and the increasing role of commercial players in space-based Earth monitoring.
Major sessions covered emerging technologies like the Wyvern Dragonette satellite constellation, new methods for methane and wildfire tracking, and AI-driven tools for environmental insights. A new thermal imaging session and expanded discussions on active sensors like radar and lidar also took center stage.
More information and recorded sessions are available from the 2025 JACIE Workshop webpage.
Looking ahead, JACIE plans to strengthen partnerships, refine assessment methods, and coordinate more closely with international allies like ESA. The next workshop is slated for April 2026.
JACIE 2025 Fast Facts
- There were over 400 attendees, split roughly 200 in-person and 200 online participants.
- Participants registered from 25 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Congo, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, the UK, the USA, and U.S. Outlying Islands.
- 94 presentations were delivered across 5 days.
- 60 organizations were represented through talks, posters, and vendor exhibits.
- 107 companies were affiliated with attendees.
- There were 13 exhibits showcasing innovative tools and remote sensing technologies.
- 15 posters were presented, covering topics from soil spectroscopy to 3D terrain awareness.
- A new Thermal session was introduced, highlighting advances in wildfire detection and urban monitoring using satellite thermal data.
- Side meetings on data quality frameworks, regulatory processes, and imagery transmission standards each drew about 30 participants.
- The popular networking event returned for a second year and was a major highlight for in-person attendees.
- The accompanying Uncertainty Workshop hosted ~50 in-person and ~40 online participants, focusing on radiometric and geometric uncertainties in satellite data.
JACIE 2025 Focus Areas
- Active Sensors (SAR, Lidar)
- Artificial Intelligence & Automation
- Analysis Ready Data & Interoperability
- Calibrating Satellite Constellations
- Characterization Results
- New & Future Systems
- Atmospherics
- Quality & Accuracy Impacts to Data Fusion
- Resources for Data Quality & Calibration
- Standards, Specifications, Format
- Techniques & Tools/Software to Measure Quality
- Topography, Geolocation, DEM
- Thermal
Upcoming: JACIE 2026 Workshop
Dates for JACIE 2026 will be announced the Fall of 2025.
What's New
Earth Observing Satellite Launches
The Joint Agency Commercial Imagery Evaluation (JACIE) Earth Observing Satellites Online Compendium provides comprehensive information on past, present, and future Earth observing satellites and their sensors. Managed by the RCA-EO team at the USGS EROS Center, this online resource evolves from print versions published in 2019, 2020, and 2022.
The Compendium is updated weekly with information about new Earth observing satellite launches. This spreadsheet lists the satellites added to the Compendium from January 24, 2024 to time of webpage update.
Recent JACIE Technical Team Meeting Topics
JACIE technical team meetings feature guests who provide in-depth discussions and updates on technical developments and innovations in the remote sensing field.
- JACIE 2025 Summary Brief. Presented by James Vrabel, ITC-KBR
- Measurements and parametrization of sensor spatial response. Presented by Guoqing "Gary" Lin of NASA GSFC
- The Dragonette Constellation: Calibration and Validation. Presented by Chad Bryant and Ellie Jones, Wyvern
If you would like to present at a JACIE Tech Team meeting, email eccoe@usgs.gov. Please note you must be a government employee or a contractor to the government to attend tech team meetings. The JACIE Technical Team meets virtually the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 12:00 PM ET.
JACIE Resources
- Online Compendium
- Spectral Characteristics Viewer
USGS Documents
- JACIE Best Practices
- USGS System Characterization Reports
NASA References
- NASA Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition Publications
Open-source Tools
- Coming soon
Wanted - Your Input!
Do you have important updates to share with the JACIE community? Please email them to JACIE (eccoe@usgs.gov). Submissions should include a brief description along with relevant links and images.
