Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Neo Space Group (NSG), a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, has announced the launch of the Earth Observation (EO) Marketplace, the Kingdom’s first dedicated EO data marketplace, powered by UP42 – a company fully owned by NSG. The platform is designed to meet the growing demand for advanced EO and geospatial data solutions.
NSG stated that the EO Marketplace will bring together a growing network of EO data providers and value-added service providers offering advanced geospatial analytics and data processing capabilities. The platform is built to empower public sector agencies, Saudi companies, and international users by offering a wide range of high-resolution satellite imagery and EO data products. It aims to serve as a comprehensive and simplified one-stop shop to support solution developers and service providers and is fully equipped to meet the future needs of government entities within the Kingdom.
The platform is also expected to drive the expansion of EO data availability across a range of applications in key sectors, including environment, infrastructure, energy, real estate, mining, transportation, logistics, agriculture, and others. This launch aligns closely with the initiatives and goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The release said the launch follows the completion of NSG’s acquisition of UP42 GmbH from Airbus originally disclosed in December 2024. UP42 is a next-generation digital platform for EO that leverages cloud computing technology to provide leading solutions for accessing and analyzing Earth observation data.
Neo Space Group CEO Martijn Blanken stated: “The launch of the EO Marketplace reflects the Kingdom’s remarkable trajectory of growth and the increasing demand for EO data. Today, more than ever, EO data plays a pivotal role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s transformational Vision 2030 — from infrastructure development and urban expansion to optimized resource management. Given the Kingdom’s vast geography, spanning over 2.15 million square kilometers, nearly the size of Western Europe, this platform will serve as both a valuable marketplace and decision-making tool across a wide range of sectors.”
Communications, Space and Technology Commission’s (CST) Space Sector Acting Deputy Governor Frank Salzgeber commented: “Value creation is shifting downstream in the EO supply chain, where AI technologies intersect with space data. The market is now at a perfect inflection point.”
He added: “Alongside enhancing national capabilities, the platform is expected to accelerate the adoption of space technologies in the Kingdom. It reflects our national priorities: fostering technological innovation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and building secure infrastructure.”
“NSG also expressed its deep appreciation for the continuous guidance and support of CST, which has played a vital role throughout this journey, from licensing and enabling the platform to ensuring strategic alignment,” said the release.
