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CONTENTSCEOS Task Force on Planning and Analysis Reports
Activities of Working Group on Calibration and Valldatlon, (WGCV)
CEOS Inventory Interoperability Experlment
The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS): Plan for Space-Based Observations---This page
Analysis of the Great Hanshin Earthquake by Using Satellite Data
Feasibility Study for a CEOS Developing Country Space Information System
The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS):
Plan for Space-Based Observations (continued from page 4)
CEOS Plenary/IAI/Highlight/Calender
The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS): Plan for Space-Based Observations
Thomas W. Spence
Joint Planning Office
GCOS
The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) was established after the Second World Climate Conference to provide the observations needed to meet the scientific requirements for monitoring the climate, detecting climate change, and for predicting climate variations and change. It was initiated in 1992 via an MOU among WMO, IOC of UNESCO, UNEP, and ICSU which set up a Joint Scientific and Technical Committee (JSTC) and a Joint Planning Office (JPO) to develop the plans and strategy for implementation of the system.
- In the early planning for GCOS, the JSTC recognized that an integrated
view of the requirements for all the climate system components -- the global
atmosphere, the world oceans, land surface, cryosphere, biosphere -- must
be taken. Such and approach requires both in situ and space-based observations,
as well as a system for data and information management. To be cost effective,
GCOS will be based on existing systems, to the degree possible, with its
observational and data system activities provided by participating countries
through their agencies and programmes.
To proceed, the JSTC established a planning structure including science design panels for the atmosphere, ocean, and land surface/ecosystem including, where appropriate, the participation of operational programmes (e.g., World Weather Watch, Global Atmosphere Watch, Integrated Global Ocean Services System), the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) and the international research programmes (e.g., World Climate Research Programme, International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme). As an affiliate of CEOS, GCOS is involved in various CEOS activities as well.
The JSTC initially distributed a draft plan, and based on comments, subsequently published a comprehensive plan(*1 ) outlining the scientific priorities and strategies for the programme. It proposes an Initial Operational System (IOS) consisting of the necessary observational components currently operatioal and enhancements to them which may be specified and implemented now.
The GCOS Plan for Space-based Observations
In 1994, the JSTC charged a smoll ad hoc Task Group to develop a draft
plan for the space requirements for GCOS. At its initial meeting, the Task
Group used the concept of GCOS "missions" [See Figure] to identify the
essential elements required for a comprehensive climate programme from
space, and prepared an initial draft plan for review. At its fourth session,
the JSTC reviewed the plan and established a standing Panel to complete
and publish and initial version. It also recommended that the Panel consider
workshops and pilot studies (e.g., calibration and validation techniques)
to secure continuous information. In response, the Panel held its initial
meeting in May 1995 in Washington in conjunction with a CEOS Requirements
Analysys Workshop and a NASA sponsored Global Change Calibration/Validation
Meeting.
To complete the plan, the Panel considered the technical requirements
provided by the various GCOS science panels and from studies of the needs
of the user community. It subsequently compared these requirements(*2)
with the specifications of instruments and missions proposed by the space
agencies, selecting those potentially capable of meeting the GCOS requirements.
By systematically assessing the capabilities of the proposed instruments
in meeting the requirements, the Panel developed tables to indicate those
missions which are "fully compliant" with GCOS requirements, and those
proposed instruments/missions which would be fully compliant if commitments
to continuity were clear. (For an instrument to its long-term continuity
must be made.) A significant conclusion from the Panel meeting is that
instruments/missions now being flown and planned for the near future will
make major contributions to the climate requirements. It is hoped that
this version of the plan(*3) will be of assistance to space agencies, but
it is recognized that it is only an initial step. The process must be refined
and continually updated.
to
be continued on page 7
*1 "Plan for the Global Climate Observing System, Version
1.0" May 1995.
*2 "Guide to satellie Instruments for Climate", June 1995.
*3 "Plan for Space-based Observation, Version 1.0", June 1995.
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