In a world increasingly driven by data, especially in agriculture and climate action, Data Cubes (DCs) are becoming a powerful way to transform how we manage, analyse, and use Earth Observation (EO) data. But what exactly are they — and why do they matter for the Nostradamus project?

What Is a Data Cube?

A Data Cube is a way of organizing and storing large volumes of spatial-temporal data — such as satellite images or sensor measurements — so they can be easily accessed and analysed across time, space, and different variables. Think of it as a multi-dimensional stack of data that allows for faster, more efficient processing, querying, and visualisation.

For example, imagine a cube where:

• The X and Y axes represent geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude),
• The Z axis represents time (daily, weekly, or seasonal data),
• And each “cell” contains values like soil moisture, temperature, vegetation index, or other environmental indicators.

This structure allows users to slice through data in different ways — by location, time, or data type — to detect patterns, monitor changes, or power models for forecasting.

Why Are Data Cubes Important for Agriculture?

Modern agriculture increasingly relies on real-time, accurate, and location-specific data. From tracking drought stress to predicting yields, understanding pests and diseases, or optimizing irrigation — EO data is key. But raw satellite or sensor data is massive, complex, and often difficult to work with.

That’s where Data Cubes come in. They standardise, preprocess, and store this data in a ready-to-use format, enabling:

• Faster access to insights,
• Scalable analysis across large regions,
• Integration with other data sources like weather or farm records,
• More powerful decision-support tools for farmers and policymakers.
  
  

How Nostardamus Uses Data Cubes

The Nostradamus project is developing a scalable platform that leverages Data Cubes to unlock the potential of EO data for European agriculture. By combining satellite data, on-the-ground observations, and socio-economic information, Nostradamus builds analytics-ready data infrastructures to support sustainable farming practices.

Through Data Cubes, the project enables:

• Real-time monitoring of crops, soil health, and environmental factors,
• Scalable digital applications for farmers and advisors,
• Insights to optimize input use (water, fertilizer, pesticides),
• Tools to boost food security, climate adaptation, and rural resilience.
  
  

These Data Cubes are the foundation for open-source, low-code applications that can be deployed on the cloud, at the edge (in the field), or in hybrid systems — empowering a wide range of users across the agricultural value chain.

Data Cubes for a Resilient Future

As climate change, food insecurity, and environmental pressures grow, access to reliable, actionable data will be crucial. Data Cubes offer a way to turn massive, raw data streams into meaningful knowledge — fueling smarter agriculture, better policymaking, and more sustainable land use.

With NOSTRADAMUS, we’re not just building tools — we’re building the digital infrastructure that helps Europe farm smarter, faster, and greener.