Earth Observation Data Provenance: A Blockchain-Based Solution

Abstract

Earth observation (EO) data provenance is vital for facilitating data sharing and cooperative processing. However, existing techniques for managing EO data provenance still have various weaknesses, including decentralization, traceability, transparency, tamper-proofing, and security protection. Despite being a transformative solution in various domains, the potential of blockchain technology in EO data provenance remains largely unexplored. This article introduces a blockchain-based solution for EO data provenance, aiming to facilitate data sharing and traceability. We have implemented a prototype based on the blockchain technology and conducted a performance evaluation. To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the first paper to explore the application of blockchain in the management of EO data provenance.