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CONTENTSIGOS Strategic Implementation:Project and Partnership---This page
CEOS Analysis Group Activity
CNES Activities in Relation with User Organizations
News from the Working Group on Information Systems and Services
The CEOS Information Locator System CILS
News from the International Ocean Colour Coordinating Group
Information on the Preparation of the 11th Plenary
IGOS Strategic Implementation:Projects and Partnership
D.Brent Smith International and Interagency Affairs Office,NOAA/NESDISIn discussions since late 1995,CEOS has appropriately focussed its attention on the space component of an Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) with an understanding that satellite-based measurements must be integrated with in situ surface measurements to produce an optimized set of observing data.
- Ad hoc meetings organized by CEOS (Seattle, March 1996) and GCOS (Geneva,
September 1996) helped increase the understanding that integrated global
observing can succeed only through the development of a synergistic partnership
among funding agencies responsible for provision of space-based and in
situ observations, user organizations, and user communities. As reported
in the previ-ous CEOS Newsletter, there was consensus at the November 1996
Plenary that CEOS interact with other involved international organizations
to continue work toward achieving such a strategy, with the Plenary creating
an IGOS Strategic Implementation Team (SIT) at senior level.
First Strategic Implementation Team Meeting
In accordance with direction from the Plenary, NOAA and NASA hosted the first meeting of the SIT, in February 1997, in Irvine, California, under the chairmanship of Brian Embleton, CSIRO. The rationale of the meeting was: to continue development of the IGOS concept; to examine how CEOS could contribute to the space component of such a strategy; and to agree on early implementation activities. All CEOS participating agencies were invited as was the International Group of Funding Agencies (IGFA) because of its key role in bringing together funding agencies for international global change research programs. Turnout was excellent with senior representation from ASI, BNSC, CCRS, CNES, CSA, CSIRO, DARA, EC, ESA, EUMETSAT, INPE, ISRO, JMA, NASA, NASDA, NOAA, and STA as well as from WMO, IGFA, GCOS and GCOS. Also represented were the WGISS Chairman and the Chairman and Affiliates' point of contact for the CEOS Analysis Group which was established by the 10th Plenary to complement the IGOS focus of the SIT in its analysis of how well existing and planned space missions and products address foreseen user requirements. There was strong agreement in the Irvine meeting that the requirements definition for IGOS be user driven and address the political protocols 'and conventions (such as IPCC and Agenda 21 )as well as the programmatic level in support of specific national and interna tional research and operational activities.
Selection and Development of IGOS Prototype Projects The SIT, in consultation with participating GCOS and GOOS scientists and the Director of WMO's World Weather Watch, identified and agreed to pursue six prototype projects of international dimension designed to demonstrate the accrued value of working within an IGOS framework. The accompanying table briefly identifies the projects together with identified provider and user participant organizations. While the projects vary greatly with regard to scope, they were selected on the basis of degree of political and societal importance, the feasibility of early and tangible accomplishments, the clear need for an integrated global strategic approach, and the existence of agencies willing to take the lead in developing a partnership.
The Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment, for example, builds upon a set of operational requirements well articulated within the global ocean community and is being developed as a high priority requirement of the GOOS/GCOS/WCRP Ocean Observations Panel for Climate. Over the course of the next several months, project articulation has advanced through identification of participants, holding of focussed workshops, and analysis of associated user requirements and existing/planned space component capabilities in March, July, and September meetings of the EOS Analysis Group (see next page). Reports on the status of project development will be made to the Second SIT Meeting in September and in a Plenary session Of the International Astronautical Federation Congress in Turin in October.
Toward a Broader IGQS Partnership
As agreed in the First SIT Meeting, the Chairmen of CEOS and IGFA contacted senior officials of the Global Observing Systems (G30S) and their sponsor organizations,
THE 1997 CEOS Yearbook " Towards an Integrated Global Observing Strategy"
The 1997 CEOS Yearbook, entitled "Toward an Integrated Global Observing
Strategy", is planned to be issued in October 1997. The report, prepared
by ESA on behalf of CEOS; presents the status and perspectives of the IGOS
development, the main capabilities of Earth Observation satellites and
their major current and future applications, as well as a systematic overview
of present and planned E.O. satellite missions and instruments. It is valuable
source of information for a variety of users spanning the wide range from
Earth system research to decision making in political and socio-economic
sectors. Copies will be distributed to all CEOS Members, and Affiliates.
Other interested readers can obtain copies through their regional CEOS
Secretariat contacts (see last page of CEOS Newsletter).
Harold Arend,ESA
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