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Background

In response to the needs of scientists and natural resource managers - including within USGS, NOAA, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) - NASA launched a five-year study to explore how space-based technologies can transform global wildlife tracking. The Internet of Animals (IoA) aims to improve tracking accuracy, reduce latency and cost, and expand capabilities to monitor smaller species and a larger number of individuals. 

The initiative focuses on: 

  1. Assessing the needs of U.S. agency scientists, conservationists, and land managers who rely on animal movement data for research and decision-making
  2. Designing a next-generation spaceborne observing system to meet those needs
  3. Developing methods to integrate animal movement data with remotely sensed habitat and biodiversity variables to support science and informed management

Status

Objectives 1 and 3 have been met through engagement with over 100 stakeholders via workshops and interviews, informing three draft community papers currently under development. Objective 2 is underway, including: 

  1. Development of candidate architectures for a spaceborne animal telemetry system aligned with identified needs
  2. Prototyping lightweight (<1g) animal tags - a top stakeholder priority

Solution Characteristics

PlatformGeographic DomainThematic Areas
ISSGlobalCarbon Cycle and Ecosystems, Land Cover and Land Use Change, Water and Energy Cycle

Societal Impact

Advances in low-power, low-latency global tag-satellite communications catalyze innovation beyond wildlife tracking alone, including emergency beacons for search and rescue, precision free-range livestock farming, supply chain tracking, drone fleet tracking and personal safety devices. For wildlife applications, these advances enable informed protected areas planning, secure migratory corridors, early detection of ecological disruptions such as species invasion and declines, monitoring of disease vectors like avian influenza, and proactive management of human-wildlife conflicts. Applications extend to agriculture, livestock management, forestry, and outdoor recreation activities - providing agencies and land managers with critical data to balance conservation with ecosystem services like air and water purification, sustainable land use practices and public health considerations.