Paulinyi & Partners to Develop Satellite-Based Construction Monitoring with ESA

Hungarian engineering firm collaborates with the European Space Agency on scalable construction analytics service

Paulinyi & Partners Plc. has entered into a new cooperation agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a satellite-based construction monitoring service under ESA’s Space for Construction Monitoring program. The initiative aims to improve the accuracy, transparency, and cost-efficiency of tracking construction project progress, particularly for large-scale and multi-site developments.

As part of the program, Paulinyi & Partners is developing SaSCA (Satellite Scanning and Construction Analytics), a service that integrates satellite Earth observation data with BIM-based digital twin models to support real-time construction oversight.

“Working with ESA enables us to bring space-derived data directly into construction decision-making. Our objective is to make construction monitoring more precise, transparent, and sustainable—especially for complex, large-area projects,” said Dr. Gergely Paulinyi DLA, Chairman and CEO of Paulinyi & Partners.

The global construction sector faces increasing complexity, tighter deadlines, and rising costs. Traditional on-site inspection methods—such as surveys, drone monitoring, and manual reporting—are often difficult to scale and resource-intensive. SaSCA addresses these challenges by combining optical and radar satellite data with 4D/5D BIM tools, enabling continuous, objective monitoring without the need for physical site visits.

The service can detect construction progress, deviations from plans, and potential risks, delivering automated, time-stamped reports for investors and project managers.

“The key innovation lies in integrating satellite data with BIM models. Continuous external reference data allows scheduling delays, cost risks, and environmental impacts to be identified during construction—not after the fact,” said Roland Németh, Head of Automation Development at Paulinyi & Partners.

The project will assess the technical and commercial applicability of both open-access and commercial satellite data at different resolutions and their integration into digital twin models. SaSCA’s modular structure allows clients to select project-specific solutions, supporting cost efficiency and scalability.

Beyond improving schedule and budget control, satellite-based construction monitoring can also reduce environmental impact by limiting on-site inspections and associated travel-related emissions.

Paulinyi & Partners plans to deploy SaSCA across industrial, logistics, and infrastructure developments, marking a further step in the company’s data-driven innovation strategy covering the full construction lifecycle.

About the Program

The project is implemented under the European Space Agency’s ARTES 4.0 Downstream Applications framework. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Space Agency.

About Paulinyi & Partners

Paulinyi & Partners Plc. is one of Hungary’s leading engineering and architectural groups, with more than 30 years of experience in sustainable and large-scale design projects. The company works with domestic and international developers and investors across a wide range of industrial, commercial, and public-sector developments.

Press contact: paulinyi [a] flowpr.hu