30 th CEOS Plenary Brisbane, Australia 1–2 November 2016 Minutes v1.0 Page 1 Minutes v1.0 30 th CEOS Plenary Brisbane, Australia 1–2 November 2016 Tuesday, November 1 st Session 1: Core Business CEOS Chair Introduction David Williams (CSIRO, CEOS Chair) welcomed everyone to the Plenary and respectfully acknowledged the Traditional Owners/Custodians of the land on which this event is taking place and Elders both past and present. David then introduced a video address from Greg Hunt MP, Australian Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. David summarised the objectives of the 30 th CEOS Plenary. Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) Application for CEOS Membership Geun-Hyeok Ryu (KMA) introduced the organisational structure of KMA. KMA operates the National Meteorological Satellite Center (NMSC), which receives data from a wide variety of missions, either directly or via internet transmission, for the production of composite meteorological products and services. KMA have an existing collaboration with NASA and JAXA, specifically for the development of a Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) passive microwave rainfall retrieval algorithm for the Korean Peninsula. GEO-KOMPSAT-2A represents the next-generation of Korea’s meteorological geostationary satellite programme. The mission’s AMI instrument will capture full-disk images every 10 minutes, using 16 bands. GEO-KOMPSAT-2A data will be distributed free-of-charge, and by the end of 2016, 29 derived meteorological products will also be available. Geun-Hyeok noted the relevance of GEO-KOMPSAT-2A and its products to the 2016 CEOS Chair’s Initiative on Non-meteorological Applications for Next-generation Geostationary Satellites. Geun-Hyeok ended by presenting the development roadmap for the agency’s LEO programme. At the request of the CEOS Chair, the representative of KMA left the room and the floor was opened for comment. No objections were expressed, and the CEOS Chair welcomed KMA as the newest Member of CEOS, and invited Geun-Hyeok Ryu and KMA to join the remainder of the Plenary. D30-1 The Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA) was admitted to CEOS as a Member. Status of Actions from the 29 th CEOS Plenary Jonathon Ross (GA, CEO) reviewed the status of the actions from the 29 th CEOS Plenary. All actions have been completed.
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David Williams (CSIRO, CEOS Chair) welcomed everyone to the Plenary and respectfully acknowledged theTraditionalOwners/Custodiansof the landonwhichthisevent is takingplaceandEldersbothpastandpresent.David then introduced a video address from Greg Hunt MP, Australian Minister for Industry, Innovation andScience.
Geun-Hyeok Ryu (KMA) introduced the organisational structure of KMA. KMA operates the NationalMeteorologicalSatelliteCenter(NMSC),whichreceivesdatafromawidevarietyofmissions,eitherdirectlyorviainternettransmission,fortheproductionofcompositemeteorologicalproductsandservices.
GEO-KOMPSAT-2A represents the next-generationof Korea’smeteorological geostationary satellite programme.Themission’sAMI instrumentwill capture full-disk imagesevery10minutes,using16bands.GEO-KOMPSAT-2Adatawillbedistributed free-of-charge,andby theendof2016,29derivedmeteorologicalproductswill alsobeavailable. Geun-Hyeok noted the relevance of GEO-KOMPSAT-2A and its products to the 2016 CEOS Chair’sInitiativeonNon-meteorologicalApplicationsforNext-generationGeostationarySatellites.
StephenBriggs(ESA,SITChair)recalledthethematicdataacquisitionstrategydiscussionfromSIT-31.TheSITChairhasplacedanemphasisonensuringwell-founded,directedandsustainedthematicacquisitionstrategiesforCEOS.CEOS has committed to a number of thematic areas including forests, agriculture, disasters, carbon,water andclimate–presentingsignificantcoordinationandresourcechallenges.StephennotedthefollowingkeyissuesforconsiderationbythePlenary:
The key GEO Foundational Task GD-08 aims to undertake regular, systematic analyses of global observationalrequirementsusingtheSBAframework.TheimplementationofGD-08isplannedtobeginwithpilotactivitiesfortwo of the SBAs (Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable UrbanDevelopment). Osamu reportedthat progress onGD-08 has been slow, and he is uncertainwhether preliminary results from the pilotswill bereadyintimeforGEOPlenary.
Stephen Briggs (ESA, SIT Chair) acknowledged the significant changes to the structure of the GEOWater SBA,notingthatthisisamovingtargetforCEOS,andwehavetoseehowitdevelopsovertime.Stephenalsonotedtheimportance of GD-08 for CEOS. It is expected that GD-08 will provide the overarching framework for a CEOSresponse, and he encouraged theGEO Secretariat to allocate increased resources to this important task.DavidWilliams (CSIRO,CEOSChair) supportedStephen’smessage,adding that theCEOS response isdependentonaneffectiveGD-08process.
Shizu Yabe (JAXA) presented on behalf of Chu Ishida (JAXA,WSIST Lead). She recalled the 2015 CEOS Plenarydecision to proceed with the Water Constellation Feasibility Study and outlined some of the linkages tointernationalframeworksincludingtheSendaiFramework,the2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopment,andtheParisAgreement.ShizureviewedthemainelementsoftheIntegratedWaterObservationSystem.
The Feasibility Study reviews user requirements from several reports including US-09-01a: Critical EarthObservations, theGCOS ImplementationPlan,and theWMOStatementofGuidance (WMO-SOG).Thestatusofobservations across precipitation, soilmoisture, evapotranspiration, river discharge, surfacewater storage, andgroundwaterwerereviewed,andasamplinganalysisformicrowaveimagers,andthesynergiesbetweenvariableswereidentified.ThecomponentsofaproposedwaterconstellationwereidentifiedintheFeasibilityStudy.
2. To consider thenext steps for actions C.2 to C.9 from theCEOS Strategy forWaterObservations fromSpaceandtherecommendationsoftheFeasibilityStudybySIT-32(April2017).
HyperspectralWaterQualityReport(C.10)
Arnold Dekker (CSIRO) has been leading a team that is preparing a report on the feasibility of a hyperspectralimagingspectrometerspecificallydesignedtomonitorwaterqualityandotherkeyenvironmentalparametersforavariety of ecosystems. The diverse ecosystems and requirements being investigated together for the first timepresent a challenge, and numerous simulations are being performed to determine the necessary sensor
parameters.Spatialresolutioniskey,asitdeterminesthepercentageofinlandwaterbodiesthatcanbecovered.Arnold noted that there are multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to theparametersunderconsideration.
Brad Doorn (NASA) presented a brief update on GEOGLOWS, noting that it is strongly linked to ongoing anddevelopingGEOwater-relatedactivities.Themotivationistobuildaframeworkthatprovidescohesionbetweenthe various GEO and water community activities. He reviewed the objectives of GEOGLOWS, as well as theframeworkcomponents.
− Mark Dowell (EC/JRC) suggested that CEOS hold a follow-up session at SIT-32 which covers GEOGLOWS,AquaWatchandtheHyperspectralWaterQualityReporttogether.Arnoldagreedwiththesuggestion.
− Alex Held (CSIRO, CEOS Chair Representative) asked Arnold which ecosystems are in scope for theHyperspectralWaterQualityReport.Arnoldnotedthattheboundarywassetwherethereissignificantwatercontent,thoughincreasingvegetationcontentbroadensthescopeandrequirements.
− Stephen Briggs (ESA, SIT Chair) agreed that GEOGLOWS is an important task thatwill ensureGEO’swater-relatedactivitiesarecoherent,andtherequirementsarerobust.
− Mauro Facchini (EC) stated that comprehensive water requirements will be useful in formulating futureSentinelmissions.
− MikeFreilich (NASA)asked for clarificationon the statusof theWSIST followingPlenary.Arnoldnoted thatactionsC.2toC.9areassignedtovariousCEOSentities,theCEOSresponsetoactionC.1hasconcludedasofPlenary,andtheresponsetoactionC.10willcontinueuntiltheresultingreportispresentedatSIT-32.
− Stephen Briggs noted that the GEO requirements related to water are changing (with the emergence ofGEOGLOWS,AquaWatch), and the futureCEOS responsewill be to those requirements. Stephen suggestedthatbasedonthis,thereisn’tabasisfortheWSISTtocontinue,andMikeFreilichagreed.
− JonathonRoss(GA,CEO)recalledtheactionsfromtheCEOSStrategyforWaterObservationsfromSpace.Intotal there were 10 actions, with 8 allocated to existing CEOS entities. Action C.1 (Water ConstellationFeasibilityStudy)hasbeencompletedundertheleadershipofChuIshida(JAXA).ActionC.10isthestudybeingledbyArnoldDekker.JonathonaskedwhetheraCEOSstructureisrequiredtooverseetheresponsetoC.10orwhetheroversightshouldbehandledbytheSITChair.Thelatterwasrecommended,andStephenBriggs(ESA,SITChair)acceptedtheresponsibility.
AndySteven(CSIRO)presentedasummaryofGEOBluePlanet,andnotedthatitcancontributetoUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoal14.HerecalledthatCEOSisafoundingpartnerofBluePlanet,isrepresentedinitsinterim governance, and is committed to supporting the components of Blue Planet related to providingcoordinatedsatellite-basedEarthobservationsandderivedproducts/services.BluePlanetrepresentsasourceofobservation requirements/priorities for ocean-related services. Andy also reviewed a number of cross-GEOinitiativesbeingconductedbyBluePlanet.
BradDoorn (NASA,CEOSAdHocWorkingGrouponGEOGLAMCo-Lead)presenteda summaryof theGrouponEarth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM) initiative. He reviewed the new organisationalstructureofGEOGLAM,whichwasdevelopedbasedon feedback from theGEOGLAMSteeringCommittee,withthe goal of revising how the initiative is presented to stakeholders. He added that GEOGLAM recently had itsimportancereaffirmedbytheG20AgriculturalMinistersandAMISSteeringCommittee.
In 2017, the CEOS Ad Hoc Working Group on GEOGLAM will support GEOGLAM’s review of its EO datarequirements and work to ensure that the GEOGLAM Rangelands and Pasture Productivity (RAPP) initiativerequirementsarewellcovered.TherearealsoongoingdiscussionsaroundintegratingJECAMandUSDALTARsites,aswellassupporttonational-scalemonitoringefforts.
StéphaneChalifoux(CSA,WGDisastersChair)presentedasummaryofCEOS’sresponsetotheSendaiFrameworkfor Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, which is primarily via WGDisasters. Earth observation is specificallyreferenced in the Framework, in relation to the production of up-to-date riskmaps;monitoring risk reductionprogress;anddisasterriskoutreachinformationfordecision-makers,thegeneralpublic,andcommunities.
TheWGDisastersPilots andRecoveryObservatorymeaningfullydemonstratehow satellite EO contributes toalldisaster-riskmanagement phases, with strong user involvement. Additionally, CEOS and GEO developed a newGEOInitiative,GEO-DARMA(DataAccessforRiskManagement),whichwasendorsedatthe2015GEO-XIIPlenary.
GEO-DARMA brings together international stakeholders, including UN Agencies and regional organisations, toaddresstheprioritiesoftheSendaiFrameworkusingEarthobservations.
ThematicAcquisitionStrategyDiscussion
David Williams (CSIRO, CEOS Chair) recalled that the issue to be discussed is whether CEOS is sufficientlyaddressing user requirements, and whether those user requirements are clearly articulated by the relevantexperts.Managingthenumeroussetsofacquisitionrequirementsiskey,andCEOSneedsacoherentstrategyfordoingso.
Stephen Briggs (ESA, SIT Chair) noted that the Earth observation programmes of space agencies are beingincreasinglydrivenbysocietal/policyrequirements,andthisisawelcometrend.
Session3:KeyStakeholderInitiatives
GEOSecretariatReport
BarbaraRyan(GEOSecretariatDirector)notedsomekeyGEOeventsfor2016,inparticularthetransitionofGEO’sstructureandprogrammaticmechanisms–CommunityActivities, InitiativesandFoundationalTasks–structuredas shown below. She added that GEO now comprises 103 Members, 103 Participating Organizations, and 12Observers.
BarbarareviewedtheGEOInitiatives,CommunityActivities,andFoundationalTasks,notingthattheseobjectiveswillonlybeachievedby following theGEODataSharingPrinciplesof full andopenexchangeofdata,dataandproducts at minimum time delay, and data free-of-charge or at cost of reproduction; and the GEO DataManagementPrinciplesofdiscoverability,accessibility,usability,preservation,andcuration.
Barbara also noted some developments aroundGEONETCast, including the increased bandwidth in Europe andnewstationdeployments(20permonth).
Henoted thatengagement in thePB is strong,however thereare fewerdevelopingcountries represented thandesired.JonathonpresentedsomeofhisthoughtsontheGEOPB:
JonathonreviewedtheGEOPBTermsofReference,notingthat theseare less formal thanthose found inotherforums(e.g., theUN),andthattheGEOExecutiveCommitteewillprovidesupporttoresolveconflictingviews ifandasrequired.
CEOS has renominated for the 2017–2019 GEO PB as it is an important group through which to ensure CEOScontributions are efficient and impactful. It also provides a pathway to representation on the GEO ExecutiveCommittee.
− BarbaraRyan(GEOSecretariatDirector)notedthatthereareotherGEOParticipatingOrganizations(POs)thatdeal with space, and reaching out and bringing the whole community together would help. The GEOSecretariathasbeentryingtoencouragetheseorganisationstoengagewithCEOS.
Jonathon reported that POs will not give verbal statements during this year’s GEO Plenary. Instead, CEOS hassubmittedawrittenstatementandprovideda‘thinkpiece’forthepanelsessionontheimplementationofGEOSS.He called for any feedback for theCEOSdelegation toGEO-XIII, andalsoon the ‘thinkpiece’.AdamLewis (GA)suggestedthatthe‘thinkpiece’shouldfocusmoreonwhatCEOSisgoingtodoinsupportofGEO.
JonathonreviewedtheGEOEngagementStrategy.CEOSwillberesponsibleforreachingoutandactivatinginternalusers, and will also act as a GEO ambassador (including leading and contributing to engagement activities).Jonathon noted that there is additional material specifically on commercial sector engagement that should bereviewedbyCEOSAgencies.
UnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)
Marie-JoséeBourassa(CSA,DCEO)presentedanoverviewofCEOS’sprogressontheSDGsandtheproposednextsteps.ShenotedthatmanyCEOSagencies/peoplearerespondingtonationalneedstofurtherthe2030Agendafor Sustainable Development and providing expert advice and guidance to national statisticalagencies/international organisations. Collectively, CEOS is working with GEO and UN-GGIM to support thecoordinationofobservationalefforts,andisalsofocusingontop-downdialoguewithrelevantUNAgencies.
TheplanpresentedbyMarie-Joséeproposed that agencies indicate their interest in participating in theadhocteamintheNovembertimeframe,withthetermsofreferencefortheadhocteambeingdefinedincoordinationwiththeCEOSSecretariatovertheperiodfromJanuarytoMarch,afterwhichtheadhocteamwillbepresentedforendorsementatSIT-32(alongwiththegroup’stermsofreference,successmeasures,anddraftworkplan).
− Marie-Josée noted that she was not suggesting the ad hoc team be endorsed at this occasion, rather shesuggeststhatCEOSagreetotakethestepsnecessarytopresenttheadhocteamforendorsementatSIT-32.
− PascaleUltré-Guérard (CNES) askedwhether anadhoc team canbe endorsedwithout termsof reference.Kerryconfirmedthattermsofreferencearenotapre-requisitefortheendorsementofanadhocteam.
MarkDowell(EC/JRC)recalledthattheCEOSStrategyforCarbonObservationsfromSpaceistheCEOSresponsetothe GEO Carbon Strategy, and it delivered 42 actions for CEOS implementation. Mark noted that the carbon
actions cross-cut many CEOS entities, further increasing the complexity of the follow-up activities. The carbonactionsarenowpartoftheCEOSWorkPlan(CARB-08).
− Yoshinori Yoshimura (JAXA) noted the planned 2019 update of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for NationalGreenhouseGas Inventories, tobe ledby the IPCCTask ForceonNationalGreenhouseGas Inventories.Hesuggestedthatthis isakeyopportunityforCEOStoengagewiththeUNFCCCandIPCC, inparticulararoundtheuseofEOforverification.StephenBriggs(ESA,SITChair)supportedtheidea,notingthatitispreciselytherightwaytointegratesatellitedatadirectlyintoUNFCCCprocesses.
PascaleUltré-Guérard(CNES)reviewedthecurrentstatusoftheMarrakechDeclarationtobeproposedbyCNES,CRTS,andCRERSatUNFCCCCOP22.Shenotedthatanewversionwillbesenttoheadsofspaceagenciesacoupleofweeks after COP-22. She added that somemissionswere previouslymissing from the Declaration. The finalversionisexpectedtobeendorsedbyheadsofagenciesinearly2017.
DavidWilliams (CSIRO,CEOSChair) asked for clarificationon theduedate for feedback.Pascale confirmed thatcomments are needed before the 11th of November, and these will be reflected along with other commentsfollowingCOP22.
Mark Dowell (EC/JRC) spoke on behalf of Carolin Richter (GCOS Secretariat Director) about the 3rd GCOSImplementationPlan(IP).Henotedthe longheritageof theCEOS-GCOSrelationshipandtheCEOSresponsestotheGCOSIP.
The ECV Inventory currently holds 318 records (219 current, 99 future) distributed across domains as follows:atmosphere (171), land (37), ocean (33), and undefined (77). Pascal noted that there are 125 respondersregistered,with43ofthembeingveryactive;therehasbeennoresponse/inputfromASI,JMA,ROSHYDROMET,and some ESA-CCI projects. A two-week extension has been granted for this round of record collection (to 21November2016),afterwhichthefollowingschedulewillbefollowed:
StephenWard (SDCG Secretariat) introduced Nikki Fitzgerald (Australian Department of the Environment), theAustralianGovernmentpointof contact for theSDCG.Nikki acknowledged themajorCEOScontributions to theSpaceDataandR&DComponentsofGFOI.NikkialsonotedtherecentlyfinalisedGFOIReview,whichwasoverallpositiveandacknowledgedtheimportanceofCEOS’contributionstoGFOI’ssuccess.GFOIisnowrestructuringitsefforts to address recentdevelopments related to countries’NationallyDeterminedContributions(NDCs) undertheUnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange(UNFCCC),TheParisAgreement,REDD+,andtheUNSDGs,withafocusonimplementationoftheGFOImethods.
Stephennoted theSDCG’sGlobalDataFlowStudyand its relevance toCEOS’sFDAwork.TheSDCGstudied thechallenges related to the current vast flow of data for today's practical forest product needs and found thatreducingbarriersandcostarecritical,andthatAnalysis-ReadyDatawouldbegreatlybeneficialaccordingtothestudyrespondents.
Stephenreportedthattheglobalbaselinecoveragehasbeenachieved–withatleastoneannualglobalcoverageprovidedby the coredata streams. TheSDCG is also investigating furtherhistorical datasets for thepurposeofbaselineforestmapgeneration,and isengagingCNES,CONAE, INPE,andJAXAonthis topic.Shimada-sannotedtherecentreleaseoftheJERS-125metreglobalmosaic,andheencouragedeveryonetotakealook.
− BethGreenaway(UKSA)reportedthattheGFOImeetingrecentlyheldinReadingwasverywellreceived,andthe UK Government is now investigating further involvement in GFOI. She also noted that the NovaSARmissioncouldbeapotentialUKcontributiontoGFOI.
− Stephen noted the UK-hosted meeting between the GFOI Leads and representatives from the GNU-bloc(Germany,Norway,andtheUK),whohavethecapacitytoinvestacollective5billionUSDinREDD+initiatives.If this connection can be made, there appears to be an opportunity for GFOI to serve as an assuranceframeworkfortheseinvestments.
− Adam Lewis (GA) askedwhether a quantitative analysis ofGFOI-stimulated data use has been undertaken.Stephenreportedthattheonlyinformationavailableisqualitativeandderivedfrominterviews/anecdotes.
Osamu noted that CEOS is a key partner, and alignmentwith theCEOS Strategy for CarbonObservations fromSpace is very important. Synergies andmutual benefits are expected through coordination, and improving theconsistencybetweeninsituandsatelliteobservationsisapriorityfortheinteractionwithCEOS.
Abriefdiscussionfollowed:
− MarkDowell (EC/JRC) noted that theGEOCarbon Initiativewill provide a comprehensive and consolidatedinterfacetotheinsitucommunities,anditisthereforeverybeneficialforCEOStobeinvolved.
AlexHeld (CSIRO, CEOS Chair Representative) presented themotivation behind the initiation of the 2016 CEOSChair’s InitiativeonFutureDataAccessandAnalysisArchitectures.New-generationEOsatelliteswillcreatesuchsignificantvolumesofdata,withsuchcomprehensiveglobalcoverage,thatformanyimportantapplicationsa‘lackofdata’willnolongerbethelimitingfactor.Hestressedthatthegapbetweendataandapplicationneedstobebridged. It will not be technically feasible or financially affordable to consider traditional processing and datadistributionmethodstoaddressthis‘scaling’challenge,duetodatasize,preparation,handling,storage,analysis,andbasicprocessingobstacles.
Alex highlighted that these issues are being experienced now and first-hand by CEOS Agencies through theirinvolvement in user-facing initiatives such as GFOI and GEOGLAM. Clear user-needs have been communicateddirectlyby countriesanddonorbodies (e.g., TheWorldBankvia theCEOSSEOand theSDCG-GFOIGlobalDataFlowStudy).
Alex closed by noting that subsequent agenda itemswill cover key steps and components related to this 2016CEOSChair’sInitiative,andwewillendthesessionwithaPlenarydiscussionontheoverallCEOSFDAstrategy.
Robert also noted that a growing awareness of EO is resulting in continued investment and significant activity.Finally,theworkofCEOS,GEO,andothersaroundopendata,interoperability,datadiscovery,newmissions,andcooperationishavingavaluableimpact.
1. Approval for thead hoc team on Future Data Access and Analysis Architectures to continue for a further year tocompletethemandate.AndconfirmationoftheCo-Chairs.
2. Agreement for a proposed pilot project(s) (TBD) to be progressed in parallel with the ongoing report work, withoversightbytheFDAteamandcontributionsfromLSI-VC,SEO,andSDCG.
BrianKillough (NASA, SEO) recalled theDataCube concept and someof the trends that CEOS and the SEOareseeing intheareasof ‘bigdata’andopensourcesoftware.He introducedtheCEOSDataCubeThree-YearWorkPlan,noting that thedocument isa tool toguidework related to theCEOSDataCube,but isnotpresented forendorsement.BrianreportedthattheWorkPlanwillcontinuetoevolveandupdatesareexpectedatSIT-32andthe2017CEOSPlenary.
BriannotedthepilotscurrentlyrunningontheAmazonWebServices(AWS)platform,inparticulardemonstrationsforLakeChad (for floodextentmapping;usingGA’sWaterObservations fromSpacealgorithm,WOfS)andLakeBaringo in Kenya (on Total SuspendedMatter, TSM),whichhave generated significant interest fromTheWorldBankandotherstakeholders.
Adam Lewis (GA, LSI-VC Co-Lead) reported on the work undertaken by the LSI-VC to define intercomparableAnalysis-Ready Data (ARD) products within the context of land surface imaging. This definition is important asusersneedinformationtosupportdecision-making,andARDremovestheburdenofpre-processingfortheuser,allowingthemtofocusontheproblemofinterest.
CEOS Analysis Ready Data for Land (CARD4L) are satellite data that have been processed to aminimum set ofrequirementsandorganisedintoaformthatallowsimmediateanalysiswithaminimumofadditionalusereffort,and,interoperabilityboththroughtimeandwithotherdatasets.
The CARD4L description document is presented for CEOS Plenary endorsement. Following endorsement of thedescription,atechnicalspecificationframeworkisalsoneeded.Thepurposeoftheframeworkwillbetoensurealevel of consistency between the ARD being generated by different agencies, while allowing the necessaryflexibility. The sampleCARD4L specification table is indicativeof the typeof specifications targeted, and isbuiltaround the idea of minimum- and aspirational-level specifications. The framework, as well as a counterpartdescriptionforSAR,willbethesubjectoffurtherworkbytheLSI-VC.
− Beth Greenaway (UKSA) supported the CARD4L description, noting that the definition is very valuable andshouldhelpaddresssomeoftheissuescurrentlybeingexperiencedbyEuropeanagencies.
− SimonettaCheli (ESA)thankedCSIROfor initiatingtheFDA-AHT.Shenotedthat itwasverytimely,asESAiscurrently evaluating its FDA strategy. ESA formally supported the continuation of the FDA-AHT for anotheryeartocarryoutthetasksidentifiedintheReportrecommendations.ESAalsonominatedaCo-ChairfortheextendedFDA-AHT–NickHanowski.
− ItwasnotedthattheEChas initiatedactivitiesto improvetheCopernicusgroundsegment, incollaborationwithESAandEUMETSAT. TheECacknowledges that theDataCube is onepotential FDA solution; theywillpresenttheirstrategyinthefuture.
− Mike Freilich (NASA) commended the FDA presentations and declared that NASA will continue to supporttheseeffortsinthefuture.
− MikeaskedBrianKillough(NASA,SEO)todescribetheTheWorldBank’sinterestintheCEOSDataCube.Brianclarified that they are interested because the Data Cube offers time-series applications not otherwiseavailable;theyhopeto integratesatellitedata intomanyoftheirglobalprojects. ItremainstobeseenhowthismightbeachievedoutsideoftheadhoceffortsoftheSEO,howevertheremightbeapathwayviaGEO,asTheWorld Bank has just entered the GEO framework, and Brian is following up with Barbara Ryan (GEOSecretariatDirector).MikesuggestedthatitwouldbehelpfultohavestatementsandtestimoniesonthevalueofCEOS’sworkfromstakeholderssuchasTheWorldBank.
− StephenBriggs(ESA,SITChair)urgedcautionwhenengagingwithTheWorldBank.Henotedthatitisalargeorganisation with many groups, a complicated structure, and fragmented projects – making it difficult toestablishasingle,consolidatedrelationship.
− FrankKelly (USGS,2017CEOSChair)noted thatUSGSwill take theFDAwork forwardasoneof theirCEOSChair Initiatives, with an emphasis on implementation through increased pilots covering differentarchitectures/approaches,trialproductionanddeliveryofCARD4L,andfurtherresearchoncommunities/endusers.TheCEOSstrategicdimensionwillalsobeconsidered.
JonathonRoss(GA,CEO)discussedtheorganisationofthe2017FDAworkwithintheoverallCEOSstructure.Henoted the need to leverage and build upon existing structures and activities, while ensuring there is clearleadershipandcross-linkages.Capacitycommensuratewiththescopeisrequired,andopportunitiesforagenciesto contribute at the desired level of commitment are needed. Jonathon presented the following organisationalchart:
− MarkDowell (EC/JRC) encouragedCEOS toperiodically assess how these activities fit into theoverall CEOSstructureinthelong-termandsuggestedthatagenciesconsidertheresourcescommittedinsupportoftheseactivitiesgoingforward.
− StephenBriggs (ESA, SIT Chair) noted the complexity of the organisational diagramand suggested that theCEOSChairandCEOconsiderasimplifiedversionthatmightexplaintheapproachinasimplermanner.
ThomasSchroeder (CSIRO,NMA-AHTCo-Lead) introducedthebackgroundof the initiative,noting that thisone-year study aimed to assess the potential non-meteorological opportunities arising from next-generationgeostationarysatellitesandGEO-LEOsynergies.
TheAHTwasledbyCSIRO(ThomasSchroeder),theAustralianBOM(IanGrant),EUMETSAT(KennethHolmlund),andNOAA (SatyaKalluri).TheStudywaspreparedbya small team, including theco-leads,AlbrechtvonBargen(DLR,WGCVChair),RobertHusband(EUMETSAT),andTomCecere(USGS).TheStudywassharedwithCEOSWGsandCGMSforreview.
Thomas presented some sample applications across each of the domains considered—atmosphere, land, andocean—aswellastheopportunitiesidentifiedinfivekeyareas:userengagement;applicationdevelopment;datacalibration,validation,harmonisation;datamanagement;andoutreach:
WeiCaiying(NSMC-CMA)thankedtheNMA-AHTfortheirworkandsupportedtheirfindings.Inregardtofollowupactivities,Weisuggestedthatcombinationdatasets(bothGEO-LEOandGEO-GEO)shouldbepursuedasapriority.Wei supported the continuation of CEOS activities around non-meteorological applications of next-generationgeostationarysatellites,topromotenewandincreasedapplications.
KerrySawyer(NOAA,SITVice-ChairTeam)thankedtheNMA-AHTfortheirwork.ShereportedthattheSITVice-Chair Team recommends agencies work bilaterally to address the opportunities identified in the report. NOAAacknowledgesthesignificanceofthereportandtheidentifiedopportunities,andwishtoseethesetakenforwardby CEOS Agencies, however it is not certain at this stage whether NOAA will carry the initiative forward as apriorityduringtheirSITChairterm.
AnthonyRea(BOM)supportedthestatementofNSMC-CMA,statingthatservices/applicationsarekey.Henotedthat there are complementary and supplementary activities ongoing within WMO and CGMS that should beassessed.
OsamuOchiai (GEO Secretariat) noted the great potential for theGEO SBAs, and he suggested that the reportcouldbepublishedon theGEOwebsite.He added that theGEOSBA framework couldbeused to engagewithpotentialusers.
AndrewMitchell(NASA,WGISSChair)presentedasummaryof2016WGISSactivities.AkeyeventwastheCloudComputingWorkshop,held inSeptemberatESAESRIN,whichprovided important input for theFDAStudy.ThecentralfindingfromthemeetingwasthatduetothesharpincreaseinEOdatavolumes,thereisastrongneedtomove users closer to data, avoiding large transfers. In response, WGISS will give further consideration to thefollowingquestions:
WGISSisalsoworkingonconsolidatingthecurrentCWIC/FedEO/IDNoverallarchitecturetoquicklyaddresssomeofthe identifiedopen issuesandhavecreatedan integratedsystemteamtocoordinateandoverseetheWGISSintegrated system and standards. The WG is aiming to facilitate the discoverability and accessibility of ECVproductsandspace-derivedClimateDataRecords (CDRs) thatarerelevant for theactions identified intheCEOSStrategyforCarbonObservationsfromSpace.WGISSisalsodevelopingaprototypeCarbonPortal,similartotheWater Portal (http://waterportal.ceos.org/), to display carbon datasets and provide assistance to scientists andgeneralusersinthedevelopmentofrelatedservicesandtools.
AndrewnotedthatUSGSintendstodisposeofitsLandsatMultispectralScanner(MSS)andThematicMapper(TM)satellitefilm,andanannouncementin-linewiththeCEOSDataPurgeAlertProcedurehasbeenissued.ThePurgeAlert White Paper and associated materials are being finalised for publishing on the CEOS website, and anapproach for engaging commercial data owners is being considered. Other documents in progress are theAssociatedKnowledgePreservationBestPracticesandMaturityMatrix/Model.
AlbrechtreportedthatWGCViscoordinatingtheAtmosphericCorrectionInter-comparisonEXercise(ACIX),whichisperforminganassessmentofatmosphericcorrectionprocessorsforhighspatialresolutionopticalimagers.TheresultsareexpectedinQ12017.WGCVisalsoundertakingtheRADCALNETinitiative–anetworkofinstrumentedsites dedicated to the radiometric calibration of EO optical sensors (developedwithin the IVOS subgroup). TheRADCALNETPortalisexpectedtobeoperationalinmid-2017.
Albrecht presented the results of a mapping between the actions identified in the CEOS Strategy for CarbonObservationsfromSpaceandWGCVinternaltasks.Itisexpectedthatallactionitemswillbeaddressedbeforetheendof2017.
AlbrechtnotedtheSeptemberWGCVSARWorkshopheldatTokyoDenkiUniversity(hostedbyJAXA).Around90people from government agencies, research entities and instrument providerswere in attendance. An abstractbook with approximately 60 contributions is available here:http://sarcv.ceos.org/site_media/static/symposion/data/ceos-2016.pdf
Albrecht noted the close links between WGCV and other entities, highlighting WGCV’s participation in LSI-VCteleconferences,theco-locatedWGISSandWGCVmeetings,andinteractionswiththeInternationalOcean-ColourCoordinatingGroup(IOCCG).
− The 5th annual WGCapD meeting was hosted by the CEOS Systems Engineering Office (SEO) in Hampton,Virginia,USA,fromMarch30–April1.
− TheWGwasrepresentedattheESALivingPlanetSymposiumbyESAandDLR.WGCapDmembersprovidedtraining activities in collaboration with the Czech Space Office and the UK National Space Academy. A‘teachers course’ was also conducted and positive responses were received through the evaluation forms.JaneexpressedhergratitudetoDLRforsendingstaffandtoESAforfinancingtheSymposium.
− JanealsonotedtheWGCapDSARTrainingWorkshopsheldinColombiaandZambia,whichweresponsoredbyCSAandsupportedbyNOAA(providedtranslationservices).TheworkshopsintroducedparticipantstotheuseofSARforagriculturalmonitoringandapplicationsintheareasofseismologyandvolcanology.Around95%oftheworkshop participantswere lecturers at universities, fostering further knowledge transfer. All availableSARtutorials,tools,andonlinecoursesarebeingcollatedforthereferenceofparticipants.
− Afour-dayregionaltrainingworkshopontheShuttleRadarTopographyMission(SRTM-2)tookplacefrom19–22September2016attheInternationalCentreforIntegratedMountainDevelopment(ICIMOD)Headquarters,Kathmandu,Nepal. Theworkshop focusedon theuseof the free andpublicly available 30-metre elevationSRTM-2 datasets, which are extremely valuable for addressing critical issues impacted by the Earth’stopography, including water flow, heavy rainfall, river plain flooding, coastal storm surges, agriculturalstresses, and public health challenges. The U.S. Government (NASA, USAID, NOAA, and USGS), CEOS(WGCapD),andtheSecureWorldFoundation(SWF)partneredwithICIMODtoorganisetheworkshop.
Stéphanereviewedprogressonthenewlandslidepilot,whichwasendorsedatthe2015CEOSPlenary.Henotedthat themaingoalsof the landslidepilotare todemonstrate theeffectiveexploitationofEarthobservations todetect, map and monitor landslides, and to apply satellite EO across the cycle of landslide disaster riskmanagement. He noted that to date, support from CEOS agencies has been very positive, however, data areprovided on R&D terms, and so if/when systems become operational, data funding issues will need to beaddressed.
He reviewed the strategicdataacquisitionplanaddressing the landslidepilotEO requirements,progresson theGEO Geohazard Supersites and Natural Laboratories (GSNL), and the Greek Supersite proposal. Stéphane alsoreviewedthedecisionsrequestedofthePlenary:
Jean-LouisFellous(SITChairTeam)presentedaCEOSVCsynthesisreport.Thefollowingtablepresentsonlyafewkey points from each VC update. For the full presentation file, please see: http://ceos.org/meetings/30th-ceos-plenary/
− LSI-VC served as the forum for developing the CEOS Analysis-Ready Data definition (nowknownasCARD4L–CEOSAnalysis-ReadyDataforLand).CARD4Lunderpinsa largeamountof the future data architectures work being progressed within CEOS. The VC is nowestablishingateamtodefineSARARDtointegrateintoCARD4L.
− LSI-VC is currently investigating how to bring together requirements (from communities ofpractice,usingacommonframework)andthenecessaryobservingcapabilities–toestablishastandard‘CEOSApproach’toLSIrequirementsandcapabilitiesanalysis.PreliminarystudieswillbecarriedoutinsupportoftheCEOSCarbonStrategy.
o VC-19:DocumentedPlanfortheSSTVirtualConstellation
− In response to VC-1, 81 Group for High Resolution SST (GHRSST) products are now in thearchive.
− In response to VC-19, progress has been made on the SST-VC white paper on the nextgenerationoftheSSTconstellation.Theaimistohavethepublicationfinishedinearly2017.
OST-VC − AtthenextOST-VCmeeting(Thursday3rdNovember),OST-VCwilldiscussthestatusoftheaction requested by CEOS SIT to produce a catalogue of existing calibration/validationfacilities maintained and used for OST, as well as the potential benefits of a secondgeneration OST-VC that would provide significant improvements in the overall space andtimecoverageoftheVC.
− The next OSVW-VC meeting will be scheduled in conjunction with the next InternationalOceanVectorWindsScienceTeam(IOVWST)meeting(May2–4,2017atScripps,SanDiego,California)tocontinueeffortstointegrateIOVWSTandOSVW-VCactivities.
− Jean-LouisnotedthatISROsuccessfullylaunchedScatsat-1onSeptember26,2016.Scatsat-1is a Ku-band scatterometer and a follow-up to ISRO’s OSCAT sensor with severalimprovements.Thein-orbitassessmentofScatsat-1isunderway.
OCR-VC − TheOCR-VC has expandedwith the addition of OLCI on Sentinel-3A. Level-1B data is nowpubliclyavailable,withLevel-2dataexpectedbyearly2017.
− Reprocessedlife-of-missionVIIRSOCRdata isnowavailablefromtheJPSSOceanColorEDRteam using the NOAA MSL12 enterprise processing system (for more details see:http://coastwatch.noaa.gov/cwn/cw_products_ocLOM.html)
− NASA’sPACE(Plankton,Aerosol,Cloud,oceanEcosystem)mission isscheduledto launch in2022/23 andwill expand upon the NASAGoddard legacy ofmeasuring ocean colour fromspace.
− OCR-VCcontributedtothe2016GCOSImplementationPlan,theBluePlanetImplementationPlan, and the development of AquaWatch – the GEO water monitoring and forecastingservice.
The use of PassiveMicrowave Radiometers (PMW) for Sea Surface Temperature (SST) retrievals is an essentialcomponentoftheglobalconstellationofSSTsensors.PMWsareimportantforanumberofreasons.Theyareableto discern the temperatureof theoceanunder clouds,which is not possible using infrared sensors, albeitwithpoorer spatial resolution; and also in high-latitude regions. Currently there are risks and gaps identified in thePMWSSTconstellation;continuityandredundancycontinuestobesought.
IvannotedthattherewasnoEarthObservationHandbookreleasedin2016,asthereweretwopublishedin2015insupportofmajorinternationalagreements–theThirdUNWorldConferenceonDisasterRiskReductionandthe21stConferenceof theParties to theUnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange. In2017theEO
HandbookTeamwill consider if theHandbookcanprovideadditionalpromotionon theuseofEOsatellitedataandthecoordinationroleofCEOSAgenciesinrelationtoaspecificframework(perhapstheUNSDGs).
ACEOSInformationSystemsSurveyhasbeenconductedbytheESACEOSDatabase/EOHandbookandSEOteamsas part of ongoing efforts to improve the services offered by several core CEOS information services (i.e., EOHandbook, CEOSDatabase, COVE, CEOSData Policy Portal). The goal is to form a better understanding of howtheseresourcesareused,andtostudypossiblefutureenhancements.
BrianKillough(NASA,SEO)reportedthemajoractivitiesoftheSEOin2016,namelyCEOSDataCubedevelopment(includingtheCEOSDataCube3-YearWorkPlan;andcoordinationwithGA,CSIRO,andUSGS),supporttothenewLSI-VC (in particular the CARD4L description and gap analysis discussions), supporting SDCG for GFOI andGEOGLAMdataacquisitionplanning,andmaintainingexistingCEOStoolsandservices(COVE,DataPolicyPortal,CEOSwebsite).
Brian thanked Analytical Mechanics Associates, Symbios, Ake Rosenqvist, and Alyssa Whitcraft for their SEOsupport,andnotedtheCEOSoutreachandmeetingsupporteffortsofKimHolloway(NASA,SEO)inparticular.
Kim reported some CEOS communications related updates and statistics. She noted that the CEOS websitereceived 48,000 visits in the last year,withmore than 30,500 of those being fromnewusers. Kim encouragedeveryone to review parts of the website that are relevant to them and to send any updates, as well as shortsummaries of newsworthy CEOS activities/accomplishments for promotion via the website and social media(@ceosdotorgonTwitter, socialceosonFacebook). Shealso reminded thePlenary thatanyonewithanaccountcaneditthewebsite,andsuggestedthattheygetintouchiftheyrequireanewusernameand/orpassword.
− MauroFacchini(EC)presentedasummaryoftheCopernicusprogramme,notingthatithasabudgetof4.5billionEuros from2014–2020, supporting six servicesvia full, free,andopenEarthobservationdata.
ESA − Simonetta Cheli (ESA) presented a summary of ESA’s EOmissions, noting in particular theupcomingSentinel-2B,-3B,and-5P.
− ESAisexperiencingasharpincreaseinthenumberofusersofEOdataasaconsequenceofthe Copernicus open data policy and the mission operations concept of systematicobservation,acquisition,processing,anddissemination.
− Theopen access data hubnowhas around51,000 self-registeredusers and approximately810,000 products (totalling 1.35 PB). 8.2 million products have been downloaded,representingmorethan12PBofdatatransfer.
NOAA − ChuckWooldridge (NOAA) provided an update on GOES-R, which is currently expected tolaunchonthe16thofNovember2016.
− GOES-RisNOAA’snext-generationgeostationarysatellite.ItsAdvancedBaselineImager(ABI)will offer spatial resolutionsofup to500mandprovide full-disk Earth scans5 times fasterthan previous GOES satellites, with the ability to perform scans of severe weather eventsevery30seconds.
NASA − MikeFreilich(NASA)notedsomenear-futureNASAlaunchesfromthefollowingillustrationofthe NASA Earth science mission portfolio, namely the RAVAN cubesat (November 6), theCYGNSSconstellation(December12),andthelaunchofSAGE-IIIandLIS(January15).
ISRO − TapanMisra (ISRO) noted the following Indian EO missions launched since the 29th CEOSPlenary:
o Cartosat-2Series(June22,2016)–AdvancedEOsatellitewithsub-meterresolution.
o INSAT-3DR (September 8, 2016) – Repeat of the advanced weather satellite of Indiaconfiguredwithanimprovedimagingsystemandatmosphericsounder.
o Scatsat-1(September26,2016)–DedicatedKu-bandscatterometermission.
ASI − Laura Candela (ASI) presented the current status of the COSMO-SkyMed constellation andnoteditsapplicationforinterferometryfollowingtherecentearthquakeincentralItaly.
JAXA − FollowingthelivelaunchofHimawari-9,YoshinoriYoshimura(JAXA)presentedthefollowingtimeline of JAXA’s EO missions, as well as JAXA’s Global Rainfall Watch, GSMaP(http://sharaku.eorc.jaxa.jp/GSMaP/index.htm) and its new Real-time Rainfall Watchcomponent:http://sharaku.eorc.jaxa.jp/GSMaP_NOW/index.htm
− EnMAP, planned for launch in 2019, is a hyperspectral mission, aimed at monitoring andcharacterizing the Earth’s environment on a global scale, measuring and modelling keydynamicprocessesoftheEarth’secosystem.
− MERLIN, a CNES/DLR cooperative climate mission, will be the first space-borne methaneIntegrated Path Differential Absorption (IPDA) LIDARwhen it launches in 2021, facilitatingglobalmeasurementsofXCH4onacountryscaleatalltimesofday.
− HealsonotedMETimage(2021),theimagingradiometercontributionforthenextEUMETSATPolar System (EPS-SG) and the High Resolution Wide Swath (HRWS, 2022) SAR missionoffering performancewell beyond today's limitations by incorporating digital beamformingtechniques.
− The EUMETSAT Council approved updated strategy, Challenge 2025, can be downloadedhere:http://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/AboutUs/Publications/Brochures/index.html
NSMC-CMA − WeiCaiying(NSMC-CMA)reviewedsomeofthecurrentandupcomingsatelliteprogrammesof CMA, in particular a few new-generation GEO imagers offering very high-resolutionacquisitionsandinterferometricinfraredsounding.
PhilippeBrunet (EC)presentedasummaryof recentdevelopments inEuropeanspacepolicy,noting thatduringthe last four years, Copernicus has taken large steps into its operational phase. Four dedicated Copernicussatellitesarenowinorbit(Sentinel-1A,-1B,-2A,and-3A).Thelatestsatellite,Sentinel-3A,launchedonthe16thofFebruarythisyear,andwasdeclaredoperationalinOctober.In2017wewillalsoseethelaunchofSentinel-2B,-3B,-5P(precursor).
PhilippenotedthatthefirstpriorityofthenewStrategyistomaximizethebenefitsthatCopernicusbringstotheeconomy by creating new opportunities for innovation, jobs, and growth. He added that today the potentialremainslargelyuntapped,andestablishingamarketforinnovativespace-basedindustryandconnectingittoothersectorsandindustriestocreaterealvalueisapriority.
Atthesametime,Copernicusisalsoforward-lookingandawareofevolutionsinspacetechnology.ThefutureofCopernicuswill take intoaccount theavailabilityof smaller satellites, theirmore frequent revisit times,and therole of their data in the digital economy. The EC is considering new smallmissions dedicated to CO2 emissionmonitoring,athermal infraredlandobservationmissionforwatermanagementpurposesandapolarmissiontoassesschangesinthearcticregions.
Noting that space is increasingly commercial and attracting substantial private investment, new models arerequiredforgreaterinvolvementofthecommercialsector.TheECislookingtofacilitatetheemergenceofspacehubsacrossEuropeandfinancingprototypeactivitiestohelpnewEOcompanies(whicharemostlySMEsorstart-ups)toexplorenewmarkets.
Europerecognizesthatthrough itsdevelopmenteffortsandopendatapolicy, itwillhelpexpandtheEOmarketglobally,creatingopportunitiesthatwillbenefitbothEUbusinessesandinternationalpartners.Philippenotedthatinternational cooperation is more important than ever and he voiced his support for the work of CEOS,encouragingallagenciestoconsidertheseprinciples.
Session10:ClosingBusiness
CEOSChairAnnualReport
DavidWilliams(CSIRO,2016CEOSChair)reportedthat insteadofaformalBrisbaneStatement,CSIROhasoptedforaCEOSChair’sAnnualReport thatstatesachievements,keydecisionsatPlenary,andfuturetasks.Headdedthatthedocumenthasbeenpostedonthe30thCEOSPlenarypageontheCEOSwebsite,andencouragedeveryoneto review the report. He noted that while the report does not require endorsement, feedback via email iswelcome.
Reviewof2016CEOSPlenaryDecisionsandActions
Due to timeconstraints,DavidWilliams (CSIRO,2016CEOSChair) reported that thePlenarywill not review thedraftactionsanddecisionsduringthemeeting.Herequestedthatanyeditsandfeedbackbesubmittedinwritingviaemailinresponsetothedraftdecisionsandactionsthatwillbedistributedshortly.
Announcementofthe2018CEOSChair
DavidWilliams (CSIRO, 2016 CEOS Chair) passed the floor to Philippe Brunet (EC). Philippe acknowledged theexcellentworkofCSIROas2016ChairandthenannouncedthattheEuropeanCommissionwouldliketoacceptthe2018CEOSChairposition.NoobjectionswereraisedandtheEC’snominationwasacceptedbythePlenary.
Frank Kelly (USGS, 2017 CEOS Chair) thankedDavidWilliams (CSIRO, 2016 CEOS Chair) aswell as CEOS for theopportunity toserveasChair in2017.Frankreportedthathe is looking forwardtotheChairyearandallof theactivities therein. He noted that the USGS CEOS Chair priorities for 2017 have been formulated to ensurecontinuity of current CEOS activities and the coherenceofwork around FDAandARD.Namely, theUSGSCEOSChairInitiativesfor2017are: