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Kopernikus: Observing our planet for a safer world


The Kopernikus initiative has two main objectives:

  • the provision of sustainable, precise and reliable information concerning the environment and citizen’s security, produced under EU control and tailored to the needs of a wide range of users;
  • the creation of massive opportunities for European companies, in particular small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which will give a huge boost to innovation and employment in Europe.

Kopernikus services will allow us to monitor:

  • the greenhouse gases that warm our planet
  • the reactive gases that influence the quality of the air we breathe
  • the ozone layer and levels of solar UV radiation reaching the ground
  • the aerosols that affect temperature and air quality

Further, Kopernikus services will enable improved management of natural resources, including water, soil and forests, not only in Europe itself, but also in other continents, including Africa. Finally, Kopernikus services will help protect our citizens from harm, e.g. through the monitoring of forest fires and other natural and man-made disasters.

Why the name Kopernikus?

Nikolaus Kopernikus was a famous astronomer born in the Hanseatic city of Thorn, (today Toruń), who greatly advanced the science of astronomy in his time by postulating that the Earth revolves around the Sun. His works and the current initiative therefore have a fundamental objective in common: improving the knowledge about our planet. Moreover, Kopernikus was a true European. It is therefore appropriate to use his name for an initiative that will be implemented within a partnership which includes the EU, its Member States and others.

The Architecture of Kopernikus

The Kopernikus architecture comprises:

  • a Service component providing information for a broad range of environmental and security-related application areas and stimulating a downstream sector serving numerous applications on both a local and global scale.
  • an Observation Infrastructure component with two sub-components for space-based and airborne, seaborne and ground based (so-called ”in situ”) infrastructure.

Kopernikus offers business opportunities

Kopernikus services will deliver information to a chain of information re-processors and end-users on a sustained basis. The “Kopernikus economy” will grow by attracting increased investment in the value-adding market to provide innovative applications to meet increasing user demands and expectations.

The definition and implementation of services and related observation infrastructure is driven by user requirements. Kopernikus user communities include institutional users such as the EU institutions, European intergovernmental institutions, public-sector users within EU Member States, European public-sector users from non EU Member States, non-European public sector users, institutional research communities. Non-institutional users will consist primarily of downstream service providers.

Scope of the Kopernikus services

Through its service component, Kopernikus will ensure the regular observation and monitoring of Earth sub-systems, the atmosphere, oceans, and continental surfaces, and will provide reliable, validated and guaranteed information in support of a broad range of environmental and security applications and decisions.

Kopernikus will provide the following services:

  • a land monitoring service providing information in support of European policies, such as environmental policies (nature protection and biodiversity, natural resources, environmental hazards, environmental impact assessment, water framework directive), regional policies, territorial cohesion and spatial development, Common Transport Policy, policies relating to SMEs and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
  • a marine service providing information on the state of the oceans, including sea level, currents, salinity, oil slicks
  • an atmosphere service providing information concerning chemical composition of the atmosphere driving climate change, and air quality as well as information on solar radiation
  • a service in support of emergency response will address natural disasters e.g. weather-driven hazards (e.g. storms, fires, floods), geophysical hazards (e.g. earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides and subsidence), man-made disasters and humanitarian and civil emergencies (such emergencies are complex and require multi-disciplinary response)
  • a service in support of security, e.g. in the field of maritime surveillance carried out by coast guards or critical infrastructure monitoring to reduce the number of terrorist attacks

Specific services targeting the issue of climate change will be developed transversely by integrating existing applications from specialized marine, land, and atmosphere services.

Kopernikus services should be fully and openly accessible within the restrictions imposed by the overall legal and policy framework (e.g. security issues). This is in line with the principles of the European Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS), and Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) initiatives to promote the widest possible sharing and use of Earth observation data and information.

Kopernikus infrastructure

In order to provide Kopernikus services, service providers will depend on input from space and in situ observation infrastructure. In many cases, observation infrastructure has already been developed and put into operation by Member States. This existing infrastructure should be reused as much as possible in order to avoid duplication. Only when – following a careful analysis of gaps in provision – existing capabilities are found to be inadequate in meeting user requirements, will new developments be launched and financed by the EU. This is the case, in particular, for the space infrastructure developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), the coordinator of the implementation of the Kopernikus space component. The provision of data from in situ infrastructure will be coordinated by the European Environmental Agency (EEA).

Kopernikus and Galileo

Galileo and Kopernikus are complementary systems making use of satellite technologies. Both systems have their strategic value as each of them has its own mission, which do not overlap.

Galileo is essentially a ‘navigation’ system providing a permanent and more accurate than ever positioning and timing services worldwide.

Kopernikus is an ‘earth observation’ system providing information on the state of our environment and improving the security of our citizens.

Success stories thus far

Even before the launching of the fast track and pilot services this year, the EC and ESA have carried out successful research projects in order to prepare operational Kopernikus services. Examples of successful applications include:

  • an atmosphere service that provides information on long-range transport of air pollutants, including objective measurements of particulate matter that can be used to justify car traffic limitations;
  • a service providing information of Tsunami affected areas in Indonesia for preparedness and reconstruction support;
  • Space observation to improve risk management of landslides, avalanches and floods in Alpine regions (see IP/05/756).

SOURCE EUROPA

Events Autumn 2008


Start Date End Date Event Web Venue
30-sep-08 02-oct-08 Intergeo 2008 web Bremen, Germany
01-oct-08 03-oct-08 European Forum for GeoStatistics 2008 web Bled, Slovenia
05-oct-08 05-oct-08 Interdisciplinary CODATA Symposium, RMA – Risk Models and Applications web Kiev, Ukraine
06-oct-08 10-oct-08 Laser Ranging, LIDAR web Barcelona, Spain
06-oct-08 10-oct-08 19th Ocean Optics Conference web Barga, Italy
06-oct-08 10-oct-08 8th EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa web Accra, Ghana
07-oct-08 08-oct-08 Fourth edition- The European Navigation event, where retail meets industry web Eindhoven, The Netherlands
07-oct-08 09-oct-08 EuNavTec, 1th International Specialist Trade Fair for Satelite Navigation web Dresden, Germany
07-oct-08 09-oct-08 AGI Users Conference 2008 web Chicago, EEUU
07-oct-08 10-oct-08 The 46th Annual Conference of the Urband and Regional Information Systems Association web New Orleans, U.S.A.
13-oct-08 15-oct-08 Second United Nations International UN-SPIDER Bonn Workshop: “Disaster Management and Space Technology – Bridging the Gap” web Bonn, Germany
16-oct-08 17-oct-08 5th UN-wide Meeting on the Use of Space Technologies for Emergency Response and Humanitarian Assistance web Bonn, Germany
17-oct-08 17-oct-08 Landslide monitoring techniques based on remote sensing tools web Madrid, Spain
20-oct-08 23-oct-08 Second International Workshop on Semantic and Conceptual Issues on GIS (SeCoGIS 2008) and 27th Conference on Conceptual Modeling (ER 2008) web Barcelona, Spain
21-oct-08 23-oct-08 3rd IAASS International Space Safety Conference web Rome, Italy
22-oct-08 22-oct-08 GIS in Emergency Planning, Driving efficiency and improving emergency response web Edgbaston, UK
23-oct-08 24-oct-08 INGEO 2008 – 4th International Conference on Engineering Surveying. Co-sponsored by FIG Commission 6 web Bratislava, Slovakia
27-oct-08 31-oct-08 7th International Conference of the African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE)-2008 web Accra, Ghana
28-oct-08 30-oct-08 EMEA UC 2008, ‘GIS for Every Life’ web London, UK
28-oct-08 30-oct-08 The NAV08/ILA37 -The Navigation Conference & Exhibition: Navigation and Location:WE ARE HERE! web Westminster, UK
03-nov-08 07-nov-08 ALOS 2008 Symposium web Rhodes, Greece
03-nov-08 07-nov-08 Climate 2008 web online
03-nov-08 07-nov-08 World Urban Forum 4 web Nanjing, China
04-nov-08 06-nov-08 XXVIII International INCA Congress 2008 web Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
05-nov-08 05-nov-08 16th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference web Irvine, CA, USA
06-nov-08 07-nov-08 Telematics Munich Conference & Exhibition web Munich, Germany
06-nov-08 07-nov-08 GITA 1st Annual GIS for Oil & Gas Conference web Calgary, Alberta, Canada
08-nov-08 09-nov-08 10th International Symposium on High Mountain Remote Sensing Cartography web Kathmandu, Nepal
10-nov-08 11-nov-08 GEOscape 2008 web Ústi nad Labem, Czech Republic
10-nov-08 12-nov-08 Border Protection web Brussels, Belgium
10-nov-08 14-nov-08 Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar. Airborne SAR web Barcelona, Spain
11-nov-08 14-nov-08 International Symposium on Global Navigation Satellite Systems web Berlin, Germany
12-nov-08 14-nov-08 Digital Earth Summit on Geoinformatics web Postdam, Germany
13-nov-08 13-nov-08 AGI Scotland Conference web Glasgow,UK
13-nov-08 15-nov-08 Innova Brussels Expo web Brussels, Belgium
16-nov-08 18-nov-08 Global Space Technology Forum web ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
19-nov-08 20-nov-08 GeoMatics Atlantic 2008 – Discovering the Way to a Sustainable Future web New Brunswick,Canada
25-nov-08 26-nov-08 ESA Council meeting at ministerial level web The Hague,
Netherlands
26-nov-08 28-nov-08 5th International Symposium on LBS & TeleCartography web Salzburg, Austria
26-nov-08 29-nov-08 Eurocities 2008 web The Hague,
Netherlands
01-dec-08 03-dec-08 The International Conference on Intelligent Systems (ICIS) 2008 web Bahrain, Bahrain
01-dec-08 05-dec-08 4th gvSIG Conference web Valencia, Spain
02-dec-08 03-dec-08 Navigation & Location USA 2008 web San Jose, CA, USA
02-dec-08 04-dec-08 GEO Expo China web Shanghai, China
04-dec-08 05-dec-08 Workshop Archiving in Digital Cartography and GeoInformation web Berlin, Germany
09-dec-08 10-dec-08 10 Years Operational Global VEGETATION Monitoring (1998-2008) – What’s next ? web (Egmont Palace) Brussels, Belgium
10-dec-08 12-dec-08 4th ESA Workshop on Satellite Navigation User Equipment Technologies web Noordwijk, ESTEC, The Netherlands
18-jan-08 20-jan-08 ISU: Space for a Safe and Secure World web Strasbourg, France
20-jan-09 21-jan-09 ESA Earth Explorer Missions web Lisbon, Portugal
20-jan-09 21-jan-09 Techniques Laser pour l‘étude des environnements naturels et urbains web Le Mans, France
25-jan-09 28-jan-09 Symposium GIS Ostrava 2009 web TU of Ostrava, Czech Republic
26-jan-09 27-jan-09 Models of Governance of National Space Activities in the Evolving European Framework web Budapest, Hungary
26-jan-09 28-jan-09 The International Lidar Mapping Forum web New Orleans, USA
26-jan-09 30-jan-09 POlinSAR web Frascati, Italy
27-jan-09 30-jan-09 DGI EUROPE 2009 web London, UK
02-feb-09 03-feb-09 The rise and meaning of Cloud Computing web London, UK
02-feb-09 04-feb-09 FIG Commission 3 Workshop on “Spatial Information for Sustainable Management of Urban Areas” web Mainz, Germany
03-feb-09 05-feb-09 ESRI User Group Conference web Sacramento, CA- USA
08-feb-09 15-feb-09 15th International Geodatic Week web Obergurgl, Austria
10-feb-09 13-feb-09 Map World Forum web Hyderabad, India
11-feb-09 13-feb-09 Location Summit 2.0, 1st Global Summit on Positioning and Navigation web Hyderabad, India
12-feb-09 13-feb-09 Cities Revealed Event 2009 – Lighting the Way web Cambridge, UK
26-feb-09 28-feb-09 Navigating the Future of Surveying Education. Workshop on Educational Management and Marketing web Vienna, Austria
01-mar-09 31-mar-09 TBD- GMES Conference under the Czech EU Presidency web Prague, Czech Republic
01-mar-09 31-mar-09 TBD-Launch of ESA’s GOCE satellite (Earth’s gravity field) onboard a Rockot launcher web Plesetsk, Russia
03-mar-09 05-mar-09 GlobalGEO web Barcelona, Spain
10-mar-09 13-mar-09 Geoform+ 2009 web Moscow, Russia
11-mar-09 12-mar-09 PROGIS – International Conference 2009 web Villach, Austria
26-mar-09 27-mar-09 Towards eEnvironment – Challenges of SEIS and SISE: Integrating Environmental Knowledge in Europe web Prague, CZ
31-mar-09 01-apr-09 Offshore Survey 09 web Southampton, UK
01-mar-09 03-apr-09 The 17th annual GIS Research UK (GISRUK) web Durham, UK
14-apr-09 16-apr-09 Map Middle East 2009 web Dubai, UAE
14-apr-09 19-apr-09 IGSM 2009 web Zurich, Switzerland
15-apr-09 17-apr-09 III International conference “Remote Sensing – the Synergy of High Technologies web Moscow, Russia
19-apr-09 24-apr-09 European Geosciences Union, General Assembly web Vienna, Austria
21-apr-09 25-apr-09 ‘GEO- SIBERIA – 2009’ web Novosibirsk, Russia
22-apr-09 25-apr-09 REAL CORP 2009 web Sitges, Spain
23-apr-09 25-apr-09 14th International Scientific and Technical Conference – Geoforum 2009 web Lviv, Ukraine
26-apr-09 28-apr-09 Defence Geospatial Intelligence Middle East web Dubai, UAE
03-may-09 08-may-09 FIG Working Week 2009 web Eilat, Israel
04-may-09 08-may-09 ISRSE-33 web Stresa, Italy
02-jun-09 05-jun-09 12th AGILE International Conference on Geographic Information Science – Advances in GIScience web Hanover, Germany
02-jun-09 05-jun-09 ISPRS Hannover Workshop 2009 web Hanover, Germany
15-jun-09 18-jun-09 Intergraph 2009 web Washington DC, U.S.A.
15-jun-09 19-jun-09 GSDI 11 World Conference web Rotterdam, The Netherlands
15-jun-09 21-jun-09 48th Paris Air & Space Show web Le Bourget, Paris, France
20-jun-09 25-jun-09 29th EARSeL Symposium “Imagin(E/G) Europe” web Chania, Greece
24-jun-09 26-jun-09 27TH URBAN DATA MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM web Ljubljana, Slovenija
28-jun-09 03-jul-09 Advanced Training Course on Land Remote Sensing web Prague, Czech Republic
29-jun-09 03-jul-09 Cognitive Processing and Representations of Place, Space, and Time web Florence, Italy
01-jul-09 31-jul-09 TBD-Launch of ESA’s SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) mission, together with the microsatellite Proba-2 web Plesetsk, Rusia
01-jul-09 03-jul-09 The 9th Conference on Optical 3-D Measurement Techniques web Vienna, Austria
07-jul-09 10-jul-09 GI_Forum 2009 web Salzburg, Austria
21-jul-09 23-jul-09 GEO Summit – Latin America web Sao Paulo, Brasil
24-aug-09 28-aug-09 ICA Symposium web Dresden, Germany
31-aug-09 03-sep-09 SPIE Remote Sensing Symposium web Berlin, Germany
31-aug-09 04-sep-09 Geodesy for Planet Earth – IAG2009 web Buenos Aires, Argentina
09-aug-09 11-sep-09 GEOITALIA 2009, VII Italian Forum of Earth Sciences web Rimini, Italy
09-aug-09 12-sep-09 The 6th International Symposium on Digital Earth (ISDE6) web Beijing, China
26-sep-09 26-sep-09 Exhibition at European Researchers Night web Frascati, Italy
01-oct-09 01-oct-09 60th anniversary of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg web Strasbourg, France
12-oct-09 16-oct-09 60th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2009) web Daejeon, Korea
01-nov-09 31-nov-09 TBD- Launch of ESA’s Cryosat-2 mission web Plesetsk, Russia
30-nov-09 11-dec-09 COP 15’, United Nations Climate Change Conference web Copenhagen, Denmark
01-dec-09 03-dec-09 Earth From Space -the Most Effective Solutions web Vatutinki Center, Russia

On 26 September, the Competitiveness Council adopted a resolution to advance Europe’s Space Policy. The resolution sets out four priority areas: space and climate change; space and security; space exploration; and the contribution of space to the Lisbon Strategy. The Member States highlighted in particular the importance of the rapid and successful implementation both of Galileo, the EU’s satellite navigation system, and GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security).


With the adoption in 2006 of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and its new thematic chapter Space, space has been recognised by the EU as one of the key building blocks of the European knowledge-based society. In May 2004 the framework agreement between the European Community (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA) entered into force, and in May 2007 the Space Council adopted a resolution that established the policy base for space in Europe. The EC, ESA Director General and European Union and ESA Member States together monitor and evaluate the implementation of the policy.

Friday’s resolution comes after the successful launch and in-orbit validation of the GIOVE-B satellite, which has demonstrated critical new technologies by the Galileo system; the demonstration at the Lille GMES Forum of pre-operational GMES services; and the adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the Regulation on the further implementation of the European GNSS programmes that clarify the public governance of Galileo deployment.

Implementing both Galileo and GMES rapidly remains a high priority. Galileo is a satellite system built along the lines of the US’s global positioning system. GMES is a user-driven initiative designed to maximise the use of existing space and non-space Earth Observation centres, capacities and services in Europe.

The global observation capacity and long-term coverage that characterise space programmes make them ideally suited for providing key scientific data to the climate-change research community. As the challenges posed by climate change are of global concern, the Council emphasised the need to continue and expand European space programmes so that they may ‘provide the evidence base for key decisions to be taken in environment policy’.

While the contributions of the ESA Living Planet Programme, the national Earth science space missions, EUMETSAT and the GMES Space Component to this endeavour were acknowledged, the Council called for the scientific community, EC, ESA and EUMETSAT to pool GMES and European space observation data relating to climate change more effectively. Furthermore, it invited the Commission to assess the research community’s need (and provide the means) for full access to standardised data and for increased computing power.

The Council’s recent resolution highlighted the need to ensure the security of Europe’s space assets, which have become indispensable to the economy, and underlined the importance of developing European capability ‘for the monitoring and surveillance of its space infrastructure and of space debris’. It highlighted the need to ‘define the way and means to improve the coordination between civilian and defence space programmes in long-term arrangements’ and to ‘recognise Europe’s dependence on overseas suppliers for selected critical space technologies and components, establish mitigation strategies to ensure guaranteed European access, and take practical steps to pursue reduction of Europe’s dependence’.

The Council believes that Europe should undertake space exploration ‘within a worldwide programme, without any monopoly or appropriation by one country’, and highlighted Europe’s need for long-term strategic planning for exploration. The Council welcomed the launch of the ESA Columbus laboratory and the successful demonstrations of the Automated Transfer Vehicle ‘Jules Verne’, describing them as ‘truly European technology development projects and crucial elements for ensuring European access to the International Space Station ISS’. It acknowledged that establishing Europe as a leader in space exploration can be achieved only through sustained investment, and underlined ‘the value of space exploration for inspiring young Europeans to choose a career in science and technology’.

Regarding the contribution of space to the Lisbon strategy, the Council emphasised that exploiting the results of high-tech space research can contribute to reaching the Lisbon goals, insomuch as it will provide new business opportunities and innovative solutions for various services throughout Europe. This will in turn contribute to fulfilling the ‘economic, educational, social and environmental ambitions of the EU and the expectations of its citizens’.

The resolution explains that space applications such as satellite telecommunications, the EGNOS and Galileo systems and GMES ‘are expected to create substantial global market opportunities, especially for SMEs, through the development of value-added downstream services’. To maximise the value EU Member States can secure from these space assets, an ‘appropriate regulatory framework, sustained access to radio-spectrum for space applications, and development of standards in relevant areas’ are required, the resolution states.

According to the resolution, major issues that remain to be addressed include promoting a coherent approach to international cooperation in space programmes; ensuring open and equitable access to the benefits of space activities in terms of public policies, scientific data, technological development, industrial activities and services; guaranteeing the continuity of autonomous, reliable and cost-efficient access to space at affordable conditions; promoting the development of an appropriate regulatory framework to ease the swift emergence of innovative and competitive downstream services; and organising the governance of space in line with the Resolution of the Fourth Space Council and with the political ambitions of the EU and ESA. The resolution emphasised the need to develop ‘adequate EU instruments and funding schemes, taking into account the specificities of the space sector, the need to strengthen its […]competitiveness and the necessity of a balanced industrial structure’.

Additionally, strengthening cooperation with developing countries was seen as a priority action area.

The European Union and ESA are key space actors, and they intend to develop Europe as a leading space power on the international scene. The resolution adopted on Friday by the Council emphasised that all of Europe’s space activities contribute to the use of outer space for exclusively peaceful purposes, and to ‘the promotion of international cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space’. European space programmes were acknowledged as supporting the ‘ongoing efforts of the United Nations’ Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) on the mitigation and prevention of space debris’.

For more information, please visit:

European Space Agency:
http://www.esa.int

Council of the European Union:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu

Category: General policy
Data Source Provider: Council of the European Union
Document Reference: Based on a press release from the Council of the European Union, “Council resolution taking forward the European Space Policy – 2891st COMPETITIVENESS (Internal market, Industry and Research) Council meeting – Brussels, 26 September 2008’.
Subject Index: Climate change & Carbon cycle research; Coordination, Cooperation; Earth Sciences; Meteorology; Policies; Security; Space & satellite research; Standards
RCN: 29916

Source Cordis

In a resolution adopted on 26 September, European ministers responsible for space underlined the strategic importance of guaranteeing the continent’s political and technological independence on space and unveiled their ambition to make Europe one of the world’s leading space powers.

The joint resolution, adopted by EU competitiveness ministers and representatives of the European Space Agency (ESA) in the European Space Council on 26 September, sets out the broad lines and priorities for European space policy in the years to come.

The four main priorities identified for future EU space activites are:
monitoring climate change
Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs
improving security
space exploration

But ministers also particularly urged the bloc to focus on the implementation of the EU’s two flagship programmes for satellite radio navigation (Galileo) and global monitoring for environment and security (GMES).

While their resolution reiterates the fact that GMES and Galileo are civilian systems under civilian control, it nevertheless says synergies between civilian and defence space programmes must be improved.

It further stresses that the overall aim of Europe should be to become one of the world’s main space powers. It also repeatedly inisists on the importance of guaranteeing Europe’s strategic independence in this field, be it political or technological.

Meanwhile, the ministers recognised that Europe is currently dependent on overseas suppliers “for selected critical space technologies and components”. Therefore, they called on the EU to design “mitigation strategies” and to take “practical steps” to put an end to this dependency.

A European Space Agency ministerial council on 25-26 November is expected to turn today’s resolution into concrete programmes.

Links

- Council Resolution: Taking forward the European Space Policy (26 September 2008) – Commission working document: European space policy progress reportexternal (11 September 2008) – EU 27 eye increased EU action on space2008 budget deal heralds shift in EU policy

Source EUractiv

Basing its strength on the experience acquired during ESA Envisat Mission development and Ground Segment integration, the company aims to increase the competence on complex systems integration, testing and applications development specifically related to the Space sector.


Chelys launches new portal dedicated to Earth Observation

Chelys has recently launched a Web Portal devoted to the observation of the Earth. It includes commented satellite images as well as information on storms, hurricanes, fires and meteorological phenomena. The link is: http://www.eosnap.com

Chelys presents new satellite mosaic generation system, MOSRI, at 2nd ESA Meris/AATSR user workshop

In the field of earth observation and distributing satellite imagery, Chelys has developed and provided ESA with a system that generates high resolution images in real time, MIRAVI. The speed of generation and the systematic generation of the images has allowed us to create an additional service for generating Mosaics in real time (MOSRI). The themed mosaic is made of the projection (usually cylindrical) of many images which are combined together in order to obtain a continuous, homogeneous map of a determined zone on Earth (or of the entire Earth).

For every single image generated by the Envisat/MERIS sensor, the MOSRI software proceeds to calculate the projection, remove the clouds and make a combination with the images elaborated previously. The mosaics are available just a few seconds after the generation of the Miravi images and can be viewed as single images or “navigated” using software like Google Earth™ o NASA WorldWind.

MOSRI will be presented at the upcoming 2nd ESA Meris/AATSR user workshop.

VEGA Group PLC (VEGA), the specialist professional services company, has been awarded a three-year contract with a potential two-year extension, by the European Space Agency’s Centre for Earth Observation (ESRIN). It is worth €3.45m during the first year, with a total value of €9.6m over the first three years.

The IDEAS (Instrument Data quality Evaluation and Analysis Service) consortium, headed by VEGA, will provide an operational service to monitor the quality of Earth Observation (EO) instrument data from ESA satellites and some external missions. Specific tasks include the detection of space and ground segment anomalies and trends, the provision of scientific and technical support to users of EO instrument data, and the maintenance and evolution of the various instrument data processing facilities. In addition, the service will provide a flexible and scalable environment to support future EO missions and technology.

Building upon VEGA’s experience and knowledge of EO activities, and specifically of the Sensor Performance and Product Assessment (SPPA) domain, this contract will provide a managed service to ESRIN with an emphasis on user–orientated service provision, as well as providing an open multi-mission architecture working across several sites, each with its own area of expertise. This contract is an import step for ESA as it evolves its EO activities in line with the objectives of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme, a joint European Union/ESA initiative to provide high-quality environmental information to the people who need it, such as scientists, policy-makers and aid agencies.

John Auburn, Group Business Development Director for VEGA, said: “This is a great achievement for VEGA, strengthening our position as a key supplier within ESRIN. For this contract, we recognised the requirement for a managed service that goes beyond the current routine Data Processing and Quality Control activities. We therefore created a well respected team of experts within the Earth Observation domain that will focus on meeting comprehensive service level agreements, through a robust management structure.”

Source VEGA

EARSC Directors had the opportunity to discuss the status and evolution of GMES with Vice-President Verheugen (Commissioner for Enterise and Industry).

On June,12, 2008 the EARSC Directors Paul Kamoun, Nick Faller, Andre Jadot and Marcello Ricottilli accompanied by Franz Jaskolla had the opportunity to discuss the status and evolution of GMES with Vice-President Verheugen (Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry) who was accompanied by Francisco Gaztelu (Member of the Cabinet) and Apostolia Karamali (DG ENTR, GMES Bureau). Vice-president Verheugen expressed his interest to hear the views of EARSC as industry representative of a sector with high growth potential – he also expressed his full commitment to GMES as programme to develop the geo-information service industry and ensured that he is always open to talk with us.

The following topics were discussed:

Budget situation – Mr. Verheugen explained that budgets outside of research will be made available only after 2013. However, he stressed that a significant increase of operational budget through Preparatory Actions is under preparation with the EP and Member States. Our offer to support the identification / selection of a PA in 2009 with focus on land was received positively.

Governance – our concerns for the up to now missing governance structures and the resulting slowing down of already existing opportunities were accepted and reference was made to the coming Communication on GMES. EARSC was invited to provide a statement on the basis of the current status of the governance paper.

“Unfair” competition – Mr. Verheugen was interested to learn about our concerns regarding unfair competition to industry from research or public entities offering operational services in competitive tenders and benefiting from advantageous cost structures e.g. no overhead. He promised to take care of it.

SME’s and FP funding – on the basis of presented examples (e.g. financial auditing processes, delay in grant payment), he explained that it is a task of DG ENTR to create a sensible environment for the industry and in particular SME’s. He also declared that he advises his staff in DG ENTR to interpret the existing funding guidelines constructively.

Participation of EARSC in programme preparation activities – Mr. Gaztelu in harmonization with the Space and Aeronautics Unit of DG ENTR shall propose for which of the particular Committees to prepare future programmes EARSC shall be nominated as service industry representation. Mr. Verheugen mentioned the GAC and the ‘Implementation Groups’ as possible organizations in which EARSC could be present.

Stakeholders – Mr. Verheugen mentioned the positive role that the ‘Committee of the Regions’ could play as a stakeholder in the GMES-program and as a link towards the Member States and the Regions. EARSC should get in contact with this Committee.

As part of the Agency’s user-driven approach to preparing new Earth Explorer missions to advance our understanding of the Earth system, six candidate missions will be presented to the science community at a User Consultation Meeting in January 2009.

(17 July 2008). The meeting follows the Call for Core Earth Explorer Ideas released in 2005, and the subsequent selection of six missions to undergo assessment studies out of 24 original proposals. As the assessment period draws to a close, the goal is to select up to three of the missions for the next stage – feasibility study. In accordance with the peer-review selection process the user community is invited to express their views at the Earth Explorer User Consultation Meeting as an important input to the decision making process on which missions will go forward.

The meeting will be held at the Congress Centre of the Belém Cultural Centre in Lisbon, Portugal, on 20-21 January 2009. At the meeting the Agency and representatives from the scientific community will present the status of all the six candidate missions. Meeting registration details and the agenda can be found at: http://www.congrex.nl/09C01/

After completion of the feasibility studies the user community will again be consulted before selecting one of the candidate missions for full implementation. This will become the seventh Earth Explorer mission, after GOCE, CryoSat, SMOS, ADM-Aeolus, Swarm and EarthCARE

The six candidate missions that will be presented at the meeting are:

A-SCOPE measuring concept

A-SCOPE – The A-SCOPE mission concept aims to observe total column carbon dioxide with a nadir-looking pulsed Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL). The lidar would have high-resolution ranging capability to provide additional information on tree canopy height. In addition, aerosol and cloud layer information could be gained as a spin-off. The mission would realise a spatially-resolved global carbon budget combined with diagnostic model analysis through global and frequent observation of carbon dioxide.

BIOMASS measuring concept

BIOMASS – The aim of the BIOMASS mission concept is to significantly improve estimates carbon stocks and fluxes over land through global measurements of forest biomass and its change with time. These data will contribute to reduce the uncertainty in the worldwide spatial distribution and dynamics of forests, thereby helping improve present assessments and future projections of the carbon cycle. The mission concept is based on a novel spaceborne P-band synthetic aperture polarimetric radar operating at 435 MHz. The mission would provide the first opportunity to study the Earth’s surface at P-Band with new information expected for polar ice sheets, subsurface geology and forest flooding.

CoreH2O measuring concept

CoreH2O – The CoreH2O mission concept aims to fill the gaps in current information on snow, glaciers and surface water. The objective is to improve the modelling and prediction of water balance and streamflow for snow covered and glacierised basins, the modelling of water and energy cycles at high latitudes, and the forecasting of water supply from snow cover and glaciers, including the relation to climate change and variability. The mission concept employs twin frequency synthetic aperture radars (9.6 and 17.2 GHz) in two consecutive mission phases to deliver all-weather, yearround information on regional and continental-scale snowwater equivalent.

FLEX measuring concept

FLEX – The main aim of the FLEX concept is to make global observations of photosynthesis through the measurement of chlorophyll-fluorescence. Chlorophyll-fluorescence radiation is emitted from vegetation in the visible and infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and provides unique information about the photosynthetic activity of plants. FLEX will carry a very high-spectral resolution imaging spectrometer that allows the weak fluorescence signal to be decoupled from the reflected sunlight background. Fluorescence observations together with the information retrieved from the mission’s secondary instruments will allow to quantitatively monitor photosynthetic efficiency of terrestrial ecosystems at global scale supporting the improvement of the understanding of the carbon cycle as well as the role of vegetation in the water cycle.

PREMIER measuring concept

PREMIER – The PREMIER concept aims to advance our understanding of the processes that link trace gases, radiation and chemistry in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The radiative effects of water and clouds are at a maximum in this region. It is also a region characterised by small-scale processes that have not been studied by previous missions. The instrumentation will consist of an infrared limb-imaging spectrometer and a millimetre-wave limbsounder. By linking with MetOp and the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) data, PREMIER also aims to provide insights into processes occurring in the lower troposphere.

TRAQ measuring concept

TRAQ – The TRAQ mission concept focuses on air quality and the long-range transport of air pollutants. The objective is to understand more about the rate of air-quality change at regional and global scales, the strength and distribution of sources and sinks of tropospheric trace gases and aerosols influencing air quality, and the role of tropospheric composition in global change. A new synergistic sensor concept would allow for process studies, particularly with respect to aerosolcloud interactions. The instrumentation concept consists of imaging spectrometers operating in ranges between ultraviolet and short-wave infrared, spectrometers in the thermal infrared, a multi-directional polarization imager and a cloud imager.

SOURCE ESA

Officially recognized by the international scientific community since 1954, aeronomy is the science of terrestrial, planetary and cometary atmospheres. A discipline with a bright future to which the Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB) provides its dynamics and know-how.

Combining scientific research and the development of scientific services destined for society and users, this is the credo of the BIRA-IASB, which intends to place fundamental research in the service of society. More than ever, research is turning to valorization; valorization that takes into account potential economic and social applications of the works carried out.

On this basis, the BIRA-IASB has developed two major research domains. The first one involves the chemistry and physics of planetary atmospheres, more precisely of the Earth, Venus, Mars and cometary atmospheres. Resolutely multidisciplinary, aeronomy tries to better understand the evolution of the chemical composition of the atmospheres (gas content and other components) and therefore takes its place at the centre of current concerns about climate change, air pollution and air quality. Aeronomy therefore aims to grasp the complexity of the processes at work in the upper atmosphere.

The second research domain conducted by the BIRA-IASB involves interactions between the sun and the earth and interplanetary space plasma. For that matter, space exploration fully benefits from the research carried out in this area: the propagation of radio waves in the ionosphere, dangerousness of the radiation belts for astronauts and electronic equipment on spacecrafts, etc. Similarly, telecommunications are at the centre of research conducted on the impact of atmospheric braking and of magnetic storms on the course of satellites.

Aware of the practical use of its work, the BIRA-IASB has therefore developed, in addition to the base of valorization scientific research, an approach with a double objective: helping researchers to devise applications that can be used by the greatest numbers and emphasizing, among politicians and the general public, the importance of public investment in research, and this in balance with fundamental research.

State-of-the-art observation technology

Aeronomy deploys observation methods on Earth as well as in space: ground stations, stratospheric balloons, satellites, shuttles and space stations. At the same time, BIRA-IASB researchers take part in major international programmes for the measurement of UV rays, ozone, etc. In full development, space instruments are the subject of European collaboration in the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA) and also in a bilateral framework.

Spectroscopy, observations through occultation, measurements in the laboratory and modeling work, complete the range of tools used. In fact, laboratory models re-creating a virtual atmosphere are required for the proper interpretation of teledetection measurements, and, consequently, for the determination of measured gases and aerosols.
Capitalizing on the most advanced calculation methods, these models are scientifically and operationally qualified to predict evolution of medium- and long-term changes: a major asset to define the steps to be taken in the fight against global warming and to become a major player in key sectors such as “chemical weather”.

A range of scientific services in full expansion

Internationally recognized for its global competences in terms of atmospheric research, the BIRA-IASB is strongly developing its research on the action of sun rays, largely responsible for ionization and dissociation phenomena that can be observed in the planetary atmospheres. Satellites and airplanes are also highly affected by the eruptions of ionizing solar particles: in this respect, BIRA-IASB space-weather expertise will lead to significant commercial prospects.

This is precisely the objective of the valorization of research in atmospheric chemistry and physics: by making use of its instruments able to measure ozone, UV rays or air quality. The BIRA offers a range of concrete and easy-to-use products. This opening strategy is supported by the B.USOC (Belgian User Support and Operation Centre), in charge of meeting expectations of potential users in search of microgravity applications. For its users, the international space station (ISS) is the preferred site for the experimentation with measurement instruments in a microgravity environment.

Figure:Visible UV measurement instruments at the Uccle station

Being linked to NASA, the B.USOC provides for the preparation of experiments, the operational nature of the instruments used and ensures their promotion in view of their use on board satellites. This new prospect will boost the B.USOC’s essential role in the promotion strategy of the BIRA-IASB.

Multiple partnerships

Very involved in international scientific research networks, the BIRA-IASB takes active part in the activities of the European Space Agency and contributes to the formulation of new proposals in the context of the European framework programmes for research and technological development. Similarly, the BIRA-IASB is an active party in the second leading European Commission project: GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security), of which the fourth pilot project, focused on the atmosphere, should allow to provide politicians and the general public with services measuring ozone, aerosols, the UV index, air quality, etc.

The BIRA-IASB is developing these products in cooperation with industrialists and numerous Belgian universities (University of Liège, UCL, KU Leuven, Universities of Ghent and Antwerp, etc.).

At a time when issues linked to climate change and to the impact of human activities on the atmosphere have become critical, the BIRA-IASB’s mission is to initiate young people in the working of the atmosphere and more generally to give rise to scientific vocations in order to better prepare the future.

Figures: ENVISAT and Jungfraujoch Station

BIRA-IASB
Belgian Institute For Space Aeronomy
Ringlaan 3, Avenue Circulaire
B-1180 Brussels
Tel.: +32(0)2 373 04 04
Fax: +32(0)2 374 84 23
E-mail: info@aeronomie.be
http://www.aeronomie.be

4C Controls Inc. (OTCBB: FOUR.OB) today announced that it has selected for negotiation Thales Alenia Space Italia S.P.A. (TASI) as the prime contractor for the in-orbit delivery of the first two satellites with related Ground Segment of the planned 4C Controls’ satellites constellation.

NEW YORK, Jul 17, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE). This selection is a result of intensive technical due diligence and analysis with TASI for more than six months, and signals long term technical and commercial cooperation between 4C Controls and TASI.

The two Satellites are expected to be equipped with very high-resolution (1meter) synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The first satellite is planned to be in orbit by end of 2011.

The activation of this relationship with Thales Alenia Space Italia will be the basis to establish a strategic partnership between 4C Controls and Thales Alenia Space Italia. The partnership will involve long term technical and commercial cooperation.

The expertise of 4C Controls in the satellite technologies, provided by the Politecnico di Torino (Polito), combined with the distinguished capacity and international records of Thales Alenia Space Italia, provides a unique platform for the 4C Controls planned Earth Observation Multi Satellite Program.
4C Controls is focused on becoming the world leader in the design, engineering, development, construction, sales and operations of high-performing SAR satellites for research, earth observation, remote sensing and security surveillance. It plans to place into service one of the most advanced, high-capacity, high-resolution commercial imaging SAR satellites in the world. 4C Controls will focus on significant market opportunities in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America where there is growing demand for low equatorial position, high resolution, small satellites.

SAR satellites have the ability to provide all-weather, day-and-night imaging, which are mission critical capabilities for a variety of end-user applications. The satellites are expected to have the following main characteristics:
— High-resolution: 1 meter resolution
— Regional Data Downlink: data transmission during data acquisition, using a network of ground stations located in the observed regional areas
— Low inclination orbit with altitude of 536 km
— X-band SAR: enables clear imaging through cloud and night skies

“As a first mover in a rapidly developing market, we expect to achieve significant competitive advantages in respect of customer necessity, price and performance. The combination of Thales Alenia Space Italia S.P.A.‘s expertise and the cutting-edge know-how in SAR technology of the Polito team will help to ensure a high efficient and dynamic market entry,” said Dr. Riccardo Maggiora, Director and Chief Technology Officer at 4C Controls.

“We are delighted that 4C Controls has selected us for negotiation as prime contractor. We have been working closely together on technical due diligence and are confident that positive outcomes will be achieved for both parties as a result of our collaboration,” said Massimo Di Lazzaro, SVP and General Manager Business Unit Observation Systems & Radars at Thales Alenia Space Italia.

About 4C Controls Inc.

With headquarters in New York, 4C Controls is an early stage company offering high technology security integrated solutions providing real-time early warning and reduction of time scales from threat-detection to termination in the field. The Company’s primary focus is on the acquisition of technologies and large distribution networks including high resolution synthetic aperture radar satellites (SAR) and satellite images; ground high performance radars for intrusion detection and electronic surveillance / access control markets such as biometric, radio frequency identification (RFID), real time locating systems (RTLS) and closed-circuit television (CCTV).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains ‘forward-looking statements’ as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based upon currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and management’s views and assumptions regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. 4C Controls cannot provide assurances that any prospective matters described in the press release will be successfully completed or that it will realize the anticipated benefits of any transactions. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: global economic and market conditions; the war on terrorism and the potential from war or other hostilities in other parts of the world; availability of financing and lines of credit; successful integration of acquired or merged businesses; changes in interest rates; management’s ability to forecast revenues and control expenses, especially on a quarterly basis; unexpected decline in revenues without a corresponding and timely slowdown in expense growth; its ability to retain key management and employees; intense competition and the ability to meet demand at competitive prices and to continue to introduce new products and new versions of existing products that keep pace with technological developments, satisfy increasingly sophisticated customer requirements and achieve market acceptance; relationships with significant suppliers and customers; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the 4C Controls filings with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. 4C Controls undertakes no obligation to update information contained in this release.

SOURCE: 4C Controls Inc.