How satellite data improves business decisions

How satellite data improves business decisions

Author: CPA Australia August 4, 2026 Duration: 24:40

What if some of your organisation's most valuable business intelligence came from space? 

This episode explores how satellite data is helping organisations improve decision making, reduce risk and uncover new opportunities. 

It explains why the commercial value of the space economy is no longer centred on launching rockets, but on using space-enabled data to solve real business challenges here on Earth. 

From agriculture and mining to finance, sustainability and infrastructure planning, the discussion explores how Earth observation, AI and geospatial analytics are helping organisations make faster, more informed decisions. 

Research backs up this opportunity. 

A new Deloitte report, The Space Edge, argues that by 2030, Southeast Asia could unlock US$100 billion in economic value - not from launching into space, but from using space‑enabled technologies to improve decision-making across industries. 

In this episode you'll learn: 

  • Why the space economy has shifted from rockets to business intelligence 
  • How satellite data supports better operational and investment decisions 
  • Where competitive advantage may emerge over the next five years 
  • How satellite data is already being used in agriculture, insurance, infrastructure and logistics 
  • Why Southeast Asia is uniquely positioned to benefit 
  • What business leaders should do now to take advantage 

Listen in now to learn more insights. 

Host: Elinor Kasapidis, Chief of Policy, Standards and External Affairs, CPA Australia 

Guests: Michelle Khoo, Center Leader, Deloitte Center for the Edge Southeast Asia, where she leads frontier innovation initiatives spanning emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and space technologies, helping organisations translate complex trends into practical action. Michelle has advised C-suites and Board members on navigating technological and societal disruption. 

You can learn more about Michelle Khoo at the Deloitte Center for the Edge Southeast Asia website. 

Additionally, check out Deloitte's report The Space Edge. 

Loving this episode? 

Listen to more With Interest episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CPAaustralia/podcasts 

And don't forget to click subscribe to the channel for a wide range of content that will help your career. 

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance and accounting: 

With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest 

INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack 

INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud 

Excel Tips https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/excel-tips 

Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au 

Chapters:

00:00 Episode intro

00:21 CPA Australia With Interest Podcast: How Space Data Improves Business Decisions

01:03 Deloitte The Space Edge Report: US$100 Billion Southeast Asia Opportunity

02:03 SpaceX, Reusable Rockets and the New Space Economy Explained

04:02 AI, Satellite Data and the Business Value of Better Decision-Making

05:00 Agriculture, Crop Monitoring and Food Security with Earth Observation Data

06:11 Mining, Oil & Gas and Methane Leak Detection Using Satellite Constellations

08:29 Government Infrastructure Planning, Population Growth and Satellite Analytics

09:47 Flood Resilience, Climate Risk and Natural Disaster Management with Space Data

11:21 Flood Risk Assessment, Banking, Insurance and Geospatial Decision-Making

12:35 Green Loans, Solar Panel Analysis and Sustainable Finance Applications

13:54 Why Southeast Asia Is a Hotspot for Satellite Data Innovation

15:30 30-Centimetre Satellite Imagery and the Future of Earth Observation

16:41 How Business Leaders Can Identify High-ROI Satellite Data Use Cases

17:13 Infrared Sensors, SAR Radar and Advanced Satellite Imaging Technologies

19:28 Deloitte Audit Innovation: Monitoring Remote Assets from Space

20:56 How Satellite Data Creates Safer, Smarter and More Productive Operations

22:15 SpaceX, Japan Inc. and Ping An: Space as a Driver of Corporate Innovation

23:42 Key Takeaways: Satellite Data as Critical Business Infrastructure

24:21 Deloitte The Space Edge Report, Resources and Closing Remarks


Tune in to With Interest for a clear-eyed look at the forces shaping the world of business and finance. Presented by CPA Australia, this weekly discussion moves beyond the headlines to explore the practical implications of change for accounting professionals, business leaders, and anyone with a stake in the economic landscape. You’ll hear from practitioners and experts who break down complex topics in auditing, taxation, and corporate strategy into actionable insights. The conversations in this podcast are grounded in real-world application, whether the subject is a shift in regulatory frameworks, emerging leadership challenges, or broader economic trends. It’s a resource designed to inform your decisions and deepen your understanding of the professional landscape. For those looking to stay current and think critically about their work, With Interest provides a reliable and engaging audio companion. Each episode serves as a timely update and a catalyst for deeper professional reflection, all delivered with the authority and depth you would expect from CPA Australia.
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