As the urgency to adapt to changing climate conditions grows, three research groups at KAUST are leading advances in science and technology that together offer a powerful framework for climate resilience. From space-based monitoring to statistical modelling of extreme events and cutting-edge hydrological forecasting, their work brings together critical disciplines needed to understand and respond to our evolving climate reality. 

Observing changes from space 

Matthew McCabe’s Hydrology, Agriculture and Land Observation (HALO) group is transforming how we monitor and respond to climate conditions using real-time space-based observation systems. 

“Space-based Earth observation offers an incredible platform for capturing the state and condition of global processes,” says McCabe. “If we are to better understand and manage the Earth system, remote sensing will play a critical role in delivering insights and guidance.” 

In 2023, the HALO team achieved a major milestone by launching its first satellite, a CubeSat designed for high-precision Earth observation in the arid Gulf region1. It is the first satellite to combine a GNSS Reflectometer, which tracks GPS signal reflections from Earth’s surface, and a hyperspectral sensor that maps land and sea to monitor vegetation, soil, agriculture, and ecosystem health. 

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