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CONTENTS10th Anniversary Celebration in Berlin
Report from CEOS 8th Plenary in Berlin
10th Anniversary Celebration in Berlin
Integrated User Data Requirements for Global Change Research
CEOS Special Report on Successful Applications of Earth ---This page Observation Satellite Data (Pilot Version)
Advancing Global Topographic Kowledge: Significant Progress, but CEOS Members Can Help Greatly
Advancing Global Topographic Kowledge: Significant Progress, but CEOS Members Can Help Greatly(continued page)
CEOS Activity Plan for 1995/News Highlights/CEOS Meeting Calendar
CEOS Special Report on Successful Applications of Earth Observation Satellite Data (Pilot Version)
Shushi Ueta
Director, International Space-Affairs Division,
Research and Development Bureau, STA
Yukio Haruyama
Senior Engineer, Earth Observation Planning Department
Office of Earth Observation Systems, NASDA
An ateempt to gather information as to how satellite Earth observation data are being used successfully on a worldwide scale is currently being conducted by CEOS. This information is being documented in a CEOS special report.
- At the 1993 CEOS Plenary in Japan, Science and Technology Agency (STA)/National
Space Development Agency (NASDA) proposed that a pilot version of the special
report should be written which comprised examples of projects which successfully
utilised satellite EO data in various application areas. One of the aims
of the pilot report was to promote discussion at the 1994 Plenary regarding
the possible production of a full version of the special report for the
1995 Plenary.
The pilot report was submitted at the 1994 plenary and was extremely well received by CEOS delegates because of, amongst other things, the emphasis on successful projects which have demonstrated real benefits through the use of Earth observation data and which have fostered valuable lessons for tufure applications. It was agreed that a full version of the special report should indeed be prepared for the 1995 Plenary.
The special report is intended to:
* provide a preliminary guide to the successful utilization of satellite Earth observation data in various applications projects;
* identify the benefits which have been derived from the use of satellite Earth observation data, including quantifiable benefits where possible.
* identify any implications for future projects and satellite missions.
It should be noted that both climate change and weather forecasting applications are not included. These are obvioualy large and important areas but are omitted because they have been dealt with in detail in other fora.
Contents and Scope
In compiling the pilot report, all CEOS members, observers and affiliates
were requested to supply information on 2-3 projects which they consider
to have been the most successful in utilizing satellite Earth observation
data. The projects considered ranged from proof-of-concept demonstration
to operational system. Projects in very early stage of definition-for example
those considered as research or experimental-were excluded.
The following application areas were addressed:
* agriculture;
* resource management;
* hazard monitoring and disaster assessment;
* civil mapping and planning;
* ice monitoring;
* coastal zone management;
* oceanographic applications.
Report Structure
Details on 46 projects were received, distributed across the various
application areas. Of these, a subset of 19 was chosen for inclusion in
the pilot report. For each of these the structure in the pilot report is
identical;
* overview: a summary of the information received and an analysis of
the different satellite instruments of interest;
* detailed project profiles: categorized into the above applications
areas;
* a description of the project;
* the required data (from Earth observation satellites and other sources),
together (where appropriate) with an identification of the resources necessary
to process the data;
* the benefits and impacts to the projects;
* any lessons learnt and future implications.
Satellite instruments
The full 46 projects utilized 20 satellite instruments ranging from multi-spectral imagers on-board operational geostationary satellites to synthetic aperture microwave radars on-board satellites which do not have assured long-term continuity. The importance of additional in-situ dataa sourcess is discussed in each project.
Major findings and Way ahead for 1995 Plenary
Although the report is still a pilot version, from the information supplied
by CEOS participants, the following status of Earth observation satellite
data utilization seems apparent;
*utilization of Earth observation satellite data is very advanced in
various fields, with some applications having attained operational status
several years ago:
*the number of Earth observation satellite data applications projects
is increasing, and increased especially rapidly during the end of the 1980s.
This is due to the availability of high resolution data, increased user
familiarisation with Earth observation data in general and the emergence
and ready availability of data analysis tools (both in hardware and software).
*with the emergence of new missions planned by CEOS members, and the
ready availability of large amounts of computing power for personal use,
it is likely that more applications of satellite Earth observation data
will arise.
STA/NASDA is planning to develop a full CEOS Special Report for the 1995 Plenary. Before developing the full report, STA/NASDA plan to conduct a second survey of the status of Earth observation satellite data applications with support from CEOS participating agencies and non-CEOS agencies as well. The pilot report was extremely useful as it gave a clear indication of the type of material which will be included in the full special report. Information on new projects to be included in the special report will be most gratefully received.
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