A new study funded by ESA Discovery and conducted by a consortium of space companies and research institutes has successfully demonstrated the concept of monitoring floating plastic litter using satellites. By utilizing historical satellite images and advanced search algorithms, the team was able to create the most complete map of marine litter pollution to date, identifying major changes in polluted areas over weeks and years. This groundbreaking research not only highlights the extent of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea, but also the potential for using satellite technology to monitor and address marine litter issues worldwide.
https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Monitoring_marine_litter_from_space_is_now_a_reality