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ARGOSS provides consultancy and information services on environmental conditions.

(Feb 2007) We specialise in monitoring, analysing and predicting the physical environment of our planet: weather, climate, ocean waves and currents, air and water quality. We develop our information products and services based on knowledge of geophysical processes, (remote) sensing techniques and mathematical modelling and optimisation. IT is an essential component of our work to develop operational systems including our operational (24/7) web-based services. In addition, we conduct R&D on contract basis.
Our clients include governmental agencies, offshore oil and gas companies, space agencies, insurance companies, and maritime companies, within Europe as well as abroad.
We are growing and seek 4-5 new staff bringing a mix of skills and expertise. For all positions, we need team players with a practical attitude, keen to work in a commercial environment, and with enough programming skills to build applications in a high-level computational environment.
You are invited to apply if you recognise yourself in one or more of the following profiles:
Naval Architect or Ocean Engineer
Making use of available databases, forecasts etc you will be responsible for the analysis of
MetOcean conditions and their impact on activities and infrastructure at sea. You will advise and
report to clients, and help develop the in-house expertise and tools. We expect you to have an
MSc/PhD degree in a relevant discipline and a solid background in hydromechanics. Experience
in the maritime or offshore industry will be an asset.
Meteorologist/Oceanographer
or physicist/mathematician
keen to specialise in these fields
You will analyse and advise clients on MetOcean conditions, develop numerical models,
oceanographic databases and analysis techniques, and support forecasting. We expect you to
have an MSc/PhD degree in a relevant discipline.
Scientist with strong IT skills
or software developer
with scientific computing experience
You will work with a system for high-resolution meteorological and air-quality models and the
supporting IT-infrastructure. Your will share responsibility for the development and support of
this system, interpretation of the predictions, and development of information products based on
these predictions. You are fluent in the use of Linux and have a solid programming experience
and affinity with scientific applications. We expect you to have an MSc degree or able to
demonstrate that you are currently working at this level.
Physicist/Engineer
Primarily working on R&D projects, you will be analysing and developing Earth Observation
systems and applications. You should have a solid physics background, proven research
experience, preferably in atmospheric optics or microwave or optical/IR sensing. We expect you
to have an MSc degree MSc/PhD degree.
Location
ARGOSS is located in the Geomatics Business Park, Marknesse, The Netherlands
To apply,
Please send your application comprising a letter of motivation and CV
(Source ARGOSS)

Dr. Christian Hoffmann, general manager and founder of GeoVille: “GeoVille, is established as one of the European quality providers in the production of land cover information from satellite and aerial photography data. Our mission to attain innovative and outstanding geo-information products has been recently recognised by the GMES Innovation Award, selected by a board of ESA, EC, and Definiens reviewers. Through GeoVille’s Luxembourg subsidiary we are currently providing in-depth environmental expert support to customers such as the European Environment Agency. The combination of leading edge land monitoring technology with environmental knowledge provides truly integrated geo-information products – an asset only a few companies in the market can share. This is an excellent basis to serve our customers within GMES as well as in our markets in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America”.

GeoVille group
GeoVille group is a private sector enterprise located in Austria and Luxembourg.
GeoVille Information Systems GmbH is based in Innsbruck and specialises in products and services related to Earth Observation (EO) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications.
The fully owned subsidiary in Luxembourg, GeoVille Environmental Services sàrl was founded in 2007 and specializes on environmental applications using GIS and EO data.
Services
GeoVille offers services in the following fields:
• EO data processing
• GI operations
• Geodata provision and distribution
• Environmental applications
• Management and consultancy
The main thematic domains regarding EO and GIS applications comprise land use and land cover mapping; urban, regional and spatial planning; forestry; infrastructure applications; cartography and consultancy.

Mission
We see our mission as to provide turnkey solutions for efficient spatial data management and analysis.
At GeoVille, we know that success in the rapidly advancing field of remote sensing requires not only adequate technical infrastructure, but also profound understanding of the relationship between customer demands, fields of application and available technology — that is exactly what we have to offer.
• understand today’s and tomorrow’s customer geo-information requirements
• meet requirements with “excellent value for money” geo-information services, products and solutions
• supply affordable and quality controlled geo-information with known levels of precision
• stand at the forefront of remote sensing, GIS and ancillary information integration into high-end applications
• put customer satisfaction at the centre of attention thereby attaining leadership in “end-to-end” geo-spatial applications
Applications – transforming images into intelligent information

• Land Cover Mapping
Millions of square kilometres mapped in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America
• Urban & Regional Planning
Successfully served city and regional administrations in three continents
• Spatial Planning
European leader in using satellite data for spatial planning applications
• Forestry
Terabytes of aerial photographs mapped with automated interpret-ation services
• Infrastructure
Service roll-outs to telecom companies, consulting engineers and transport operators
in four continents
• Cartography
Map making services provided to costumers in 35 countries
• Consultancy & Promotion
World-wide service delivery to international organisations and private industries

Team and facilities
Our team has experience and expertise in managing and executing national and international projects. At present, GeoVille is employing a staff of more than 20 experts and consultants graduated in Earth sciences and Informatics from universities in Austria, Germany and the United States. Key emphasis is on remote sensing and GIS. All of our staff members are holding MSc grade or equivalent, and 30% a PhD title.
We use leading edge GIS (ESRI) and image processing software (PCI, ERDAS, eCognition) and provide consultancy, processing and development capabilities for software components from major GIS and remote sensing software vendors.
GeoVille in GMES – we are actively engaged with stakeholders to build a common European geo-information market
GeoVille has been playing a key role in GMES services for land applications, related to both land cover production as well as downstream services in the urban and spatial planning domain.
GMES Fast Track Precursor
GeoVille is member of the consortium that has been selected to carry
out the European Fast Track Precursor on urban areas and soil sealing
for 38 European countries. GeoVille is responsible for production of 12
countries and acts as scientific and thematic expert advisor to the
consortium.
GSE Land Information Services
In the project GSE Land Information Services funded by ESA, GeoVille is
task manager on the “Impervious areas and sealing levels” and
responsible for service implementation in 10 European countries. The
project delivers cost effective geo-information services for urban
areas, which are harmonised and standardised for cross-border
applications.
geoland
GeoVille participated as programme manager of the Spatial Planning
Observatory in the EU funded Integrated Project geoland. The ambition
was to develop and demonstrate a range of reliable, affordable and cost
efficient European geo-information services, supporting the
implementation of European directives and their national implementation.
BOSS4GMES
In the EU funded project BOSS4GMES GeoVille collaborates with partners
to link GMES service providers, with key political decision makers, a
broader sphere of users and the wider public.
GMES Network of User
GeoVille will also participate in the GMES Network of Users (GNU). The
coordinated action is closely linked to already existing networks of
users of environmental data, including EEA Eionet, the GEO User
Interface Committee and the User Group on Land Monitoring supported by
geoland and GSE Land.
GeoVille projects
Operational project services outside the GMES and research and technological development funding scheme represent the core of GeoVille’s activities. Such services amounted in 2006 to more than two-third of the turnover.
Concerning value adding services for institutional clients in the public domain, a series of applications using space and airborne data in the fields of spatial planning, forestry, traffic and environmental monitoring were carried out. Customers were ministries, state governments, the European Commission, United Nations and the World Bank. Among private customers RedBull has to be mentioned with the delivery of special imaging services to provide coverage of the Air Races. Additionally clutter maps were provided to radio communication planning operators in Austria, Czech Republic, Kosovo, Slovakia and South Africa.

Reference Customers
International Organisations National Authorities Private Companies
• European Union (DG’s, Units, Programmes) in Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain
• European Space Agency (ESA) in France and Italy
• United Nations and United Nations Office for Project Services in Austria, Malaysia, USA
• World Bank, USA
• Institute for Applied System Analysis, Austria
• Federal Ministries of Forestry, Environment, Spatial Planning and Transport (worldwide)
• Municipalities and Town Planning Institutes (worldwide)
• Regional Administrations of Forestry and Spatial Planning (worldwide)
• Federal Institutes and Research Centres (Europe)
• National Remote Sensing Centres (Asia and Africa)
• Consulting firms
• Telecommunication firms
• Solar companies
• Airpilot simulator companies
• Transport and infrastructure firms
• Television companies
• Edutainment companies
GeoVille highlights in 2007
• GeoVille is member of the consortium that has been selected to carry out the European Fast Track Precursor on urban areas. Responsibilities include production of 12 countries and as well as thematic and scientific advisory.
• Jürgen Weichselbaum, Technical Director of GeoVille receives Definiens GMES Innovation Award
• General Manger of GeoVille, Christian Hoffmann appointed to EARSC Board of Directors
• Christian Hoffmann, founder of GeoVille introduces GMES to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
• GeoVille becomes full partner of the European Topic Centre for Land Use and Spatial Information
• Implementation of image fusion method – developed by the Head of GeoVille’s consulting group Ute Gangkofner – in Erdas Imagine 9.0
• Lutz Petrat of GeoVille responsible for beta-testing of Erdas Imagine IFSAR module
• GeoVille signs data distribution agreement for TerraSAR-X
• Foundation of GeoVille Environmental Services sàrl in Luxembourg with Stefan Kleeschulte as Managing Director
(Source GeoVille Group)

In this issue of EOMAG, EARSC has the opportunity to feature an interview with Mr. Lars Prahm, EUMETSAT Director General. First of all, thank you very much for taking some time from your busy agenda and giving us the occasion to talk about some aspects relevant for the European Earth Observation sector and meteorology.

ROLE OF EUMETSAT
The EUMETSAT Convention entered into force in 1986, with EUMETSAT inheriting the Meteosat programme from ESA. In 2006, the EUMETSAT Council approved a new long-term strategy which foresees EUMETSAT´s gradual mutation from a meteorological agency into Europe’s environmental satellite services operator. EUMETSAT is driven by user needs. Could you comment on the EUMETSAT strategy?
As you rightly indicated, EUMETSAT celebrated in 2006 its 20th anniversary. At this occasion, the EUMETSAT Council approved a new long-term strategy: “The EUMETSAT 2030 strategy”. The vision presented in the strategy is for EUMETSAT to be the leading operational satellite agency for European Earth observation programmes that are consistent with EUMETSAT Convention, which focused on operational meteorology, climate change detection, oceanography and atmosphere monitoring.
The priority in the strategy is for EUMETSAT to remain a first class organisation providing services to its Member States with regard to the core mandate of the organisation which is “to establish, maintain and exploit European systems of operational meteorological satellites”. The strength of the organisation relies on its very close relationship with its user community, which is well mature and well structured. , This should remain in the future.
For EUMETSAT, this practically means that in addition to the continuous operation of our current Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) and Metop satellites, we shall ensure the continuity of the delivery of our data, with the development of a Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) programme at the horizon 2015, and the development of a post-EPS programme in the 2018 timeframe.
However, in the 2030 strategy, Member States noted that EUMETSAT’s role expanded through the adoption of its amended Convention and therefore that the organisation should also “contribute to the operational monitoring of the climate and the environment as well as the detection of global climatic changes“. With this new dimension, EUMETSAT is now contributing to operational oceanography missions, with the launch in 2008 of the Jason-2 satellite. EUMETSAT is also positionned to play a key role as operational agency of the European GMES initiative.
In doing so, EUMETSAT will continue to privilege its cooperation in Europe with the European Space Agency but would also rely on its privilieged partnership with the United-States.
What role do EUMETSAT play as a part of the global community?
EUMETSAT is a global actor. The EUMETSAT programmes are developed in accordance with the recommendations of the World Meteorological Organisation, which is the only institution quoted by name in the EUMETSAT Convention. With its programmes, EUMETSAT contributes significantly to the space-based component of the WMO Global Observing System (GOS).
To do so, EUMETSAT has developed privileged partnerships with the United States. The launch of the Metop A satellite in October 2006 was a significant step in the implementation of the Initial Joint Polar System (IJPS) that is currently developed between EUMETSAT and NOAA. This IJPS Agreement foresees that EUMETSAT will fly instruments delivered by the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). EUMETSAT has also delivered instruments that are flown in the NOAA POES satellites. This collaboration relies on a share of orbits between NOAA and EUMETSAT, in which Europe, through EUMETSAT, is having the responsibility to cover the mid-morning orbit, while NOAA is covering the early morning and early afternoon orbits. The IJPS is a real example of a truly successful European – U.S. cooperation. Both agencies are planning to jointly develop a Joint Polar System, for which preliminary Agreements are planned to be signed as early as 2011.
Another example of the EUMETSAT – U.S. cooperation is the Jason-2 programme, in which EUMETSAT is playing a significant role, together with NOAA, the French National Space Agency (CNES) and NASA.
In addition to the United States, EUMETSAT has cooperation Agreements with Russia, China, India and Korea. It is planned that similar Agreements will be concluded with Japan and Canada in 2007.
Finally, EUMETSAT, together with its international partners is playing a significant role in international initiatives such as GEO and CEOS. Two examples can be given, with the development of the GEONETCast concept in support to GEO (an joint NOAAEUMETSAT initiative, now supported by China) and with the leadership that EUMETSAT has taken in establishing the CEOS Constellation for operational oceanography missions.
Another important set of activities undertaken by EUMETSAT in the international arena is related to Africa. With the support of the European Commission, EUMETSAT as been heavily involved in the development and implementation of the PUMA and AMESD projects, aiming at facilitating the access and use to Earth Observation data in support to the development policies in Africa. A follow-on of these projects, in the form of an extension of GMES to Africa is also strongly supported by EUMETSAT.
BUDGET LINES
The institutional users are the national meteorological offices, which fund the procurement of new fleets of satellites which are tuned to respond to their specific needs through the EUMETSAT operating agency. Can you briefly outline the planning and budgeting process in EUMETSAT?
As an operational agency, EUMETSAT is in charge of collecting user requirements for the future generation of European weather satellites. Following a very long and detailed user requirements definition process and associated studies, EUMETSAT is presenting a programme proposal to its Member States. Being operational, these programmes are always designed to cover 15 to 20 years of operations with 3 to 4 satellites. As the first satellite of a new generation involves the development of new technologies, in addition to the EUMETSAT funding, a programme is also presented to ESA Member States. Once approved in the ESA and EUMETSAT contexts, the funding of the programme is secured for at least 15 to 20 years. Programmes are then implemented on a yearly basis and contributions from Member States are called upon accordingly.
DIALOGUE WITH EO INDUSTRY
Negotiations with the European Union could lead to EUMETSAT’s selection as the operator for three of the satellite missions planned as part of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program. A GMES role would propel EUMETSAT into areas that, up to now, have been beyond its primary focus area. GMES’ mandate covers climate change in general, and includes land-surface imaging, ocean imaging and air-quality alerts. How is EUMETSAT’s developing to seek partners to share the burden of the role that EUMETSAT will take? Industry as partner?
Here it is important to underline that the interaction that EUMETSAT has with industry is highly influenced by the excellent working relationship developed between EUMETSAT and ESA. As explained earlier, for the space component of its systems, EUMETSAT is not interacting directly with industry, but is doing it through ESA acting as development agency of EUMETSAT.
This is reflected in the funding of the space component of the EUMETSAT systems, where ESA is funding most of the costs of the development of the first satellite of a new series, while EUMETSAT is funding the procurement of the recurrent satellites. This activity is however performed through ESA. This model has proven to be very successful as Europe has developed highly reliable satellites, providing high quality information in budgets which have always been in line with what was originally planned. For our future generation of satellites, starting with MTG in 2008 – 2009 timeframe, we will use the same model of cooperation.
EUMETSAT is interacting directly with industry for all activities not related to the space segment, i.e. the procurement of the satellite ground segment systems, the operations of the satellites and the procurement of launchers. In this case, EUMETSAT is applying open competition rules, based on the principle of procurement on the best value for money.
In recent years, remote sensing has become an important element of European space policy. It rightly deserves its special position, because it generates significant benefit for ensuring that the earth remains liveable. Today, the weather, climate change and environmental issues are major factors determining the framework for international and national policy action. What’ the position of EUMETSAT in the newly developed European Space Policy ?
EUMETSAT has been associated to the development of the European Space Policy as it is sitting as an observer in the EC – ESA High Level Space Policy Group in charge of writing this policy.
The organisation considers that Europe has made a significant step forward in being able to agree on a text which will frame the European activities in space in the years to come. It is important to note that in Annex to the European Space Policy, a number of key actions are listed which already pave the way for the implementation of the policy.
EUMETSAT is quite please with the position that it has reached in the European Space Policy. Its role of operational agency is well recognised. The strategic part of the document emphasizes on the need to develop and exploit space application in support of Europe’s public policy needs, i.e. in the field environment and global climate changes. These are clear areas in which EUMETSAT should play a role according to the mandate given by its Convention.
In the Earth Observation section, access to information to monitor “adverse weather conditions and climate changes” is considered of strategic importance for Europe. The need for Europe to enhance its meteorological [space] infrastructures and services is clearly spelled out. Finally, the operational character of the services to be delivered is enhanced, as well as their direct link with well-identified user needs. In order to do so, the Space Policy recognizes the need “to establish appropriate funding arrangements, operational infrastructures and management arrangements”. It also references to the need to “make maximum use of existing and planned assets in Europe, including those of EUMETSAT”.
The references made to EUMETSAT activities in the core text of the Space Policy are reflected in the annexed key actions, where a specific reference is made to the need for ESA to propose activities on Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) in 2008.
EUMETSAT has a wealth of expertise in deploying and operating satellite systems and will be able to make a major contribution to GMES. It would be a strategic mistake not to use these skills in further earth observation applications in Europe. How could an effective dialogue be established between meteorology sector and the EO industry?
EUMETSAT is of the opinion that, for what regards meteorological applications and applications falling into the scope of the EUMETSAT activities, a good and fruitful dialogue already exists with EO industry. However, for activities which do not fall into the remit of the organisation, EUMETSAT has no intention to interfere with existing mechanisms. However, should it be required, the experience which has lead to the development of the EUMETSAT systems might be shared, i.e. in the framework of the excellent relationships that EUMETSAT has developed with the Bureau in charge of the implementation of GMES in the European Commission.
Which could be the role of the EO value added industry collaborating with meteorology services? How do you see the interaction with EO VA companies?
It is very difficult for EUMETSAT to respond to this question. The objective of the organisation is to provide information to its ser community which is mainly formed by the National Meteorological Services of its Member States and cooperative States as well as by its international partners. It is then these institutions in Member States which are using the data from EUMETSAT and delivering added value, including the interaction with the market and the potential EO value-added companies. As you can understand from the above, EUMETSAT has no direct contacts with these companies.
COOPERATION & PARTNERSHIP
European
One year ago, the European Commission and EUMETSAT signed letters outlining future co-operation on GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). Is that a signal for a strong working relationship on Europe’s premier Earth Observation (EO) initiative? Which are the next steps?
It was in fact a very strong signal. Since the signature of these letters, the contacts with the European Commission have increased, enabling to better explain what was the specific role of EUMETSAT in the European space activities.
This resulted in a very fruitful exchange with EC, particular since the creation of the GMES Bureau in June 2006. Many joint activities supporting GMES have been developed and EUMETSAT Member States have recently agreed to second a EUMETSAT staff in the GMES Bureau.
It is anticipated that in the future, when the governance of GMES will be agreed upon, EUMETSAT and the European Commission will formalise further their relationships with the signature of dedicated programmatic agreements reflecting the role that EUMETSAT will play in GMES.
In addition to the technical cooperation, significant progress have been reached in the political recognition of the EUMETSAT role in the European Space activities and EUMETSAT might soon be invited to play a role, i.e. in the context of the coming meetings of the Space Councils.
In relation with the fast track services (i.e, advance fast-track marine services), will be EUMETSAT a “kind of test” as operational agency for future GMES initiatives offering technical support and guidance on how to establish new services?
The idea of seconding a EUMETSAT staff in the GMES Bureau was precisely a way to support GMES and to transfer a EUMETSAT “savoir-faire” in the European Commission framework.
The new European satellites will be operated in partnership with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) polar weather satellite system, providing data that will be used to monitor our planet’s climate and improve weather forecasting, how was established the cooperation agreement?
The cooperation with NOAA went back to the early 90’s when EUMETSAT positioned one of its geostationary satellite over the Atlantic upon request of our U.S. partner. The cooperation has developed over the years. NOAA and EUMETSAT have for example reached a backup Agreement, meaning that each agency is committed to support its partner in case of failure of one of its satellite, obviously on a best effort basis. The cooperation with NOAA on geostationary satellites also includes exchange of data, scientific expertise and training. Dedicated infrastructures have been developed between Europe and the U.S. to ensure the operational exchange of data.
Based on this successful cooperation, NOAA and EUMETSAT signed in 1998 the Initial Joint Polar System Agreement, which was later complemented by a Joint Transition Activity Agreement. The latest plans for the development of a NOAAEUMETSAT Joint Polar System by 2011 as a continuation of the current IJPS cooperation.
The role of EUMETSAT in this cooperation is important as EUMETSAT is covering the mid-morning orbit, which will not be covered by the U.S. in the future, as a result of the Nunn – Mc Murdy decision related to the future U.S. NPOESS programme.
EUMETSAT is therefore considered as a key partner by our U.S. counterpart. This was again stressed in the recent meeting of the EU – U.S. dialogue on civil use of space, which took place in Washington late April 2007. EUMETSATNOAA cooperation was seen as a successful illustration how what Europeans and Americans can best do together.
EUMETCast
Can you debrief on the EUMETCast Improvements?
EUMETCast has become the operational EUMETSAT data dissemination system. Thanks to its high flexibility, reliability and simplicity, EUMETCast users are growing every months. Based on off the shelves DVB receiving equipments, EUMETCast receiving stations can be acquired for very limited budgets and several thousands of users are benefiting from easy access to EUMETSAT data and products through EUMETCAst.
EUMETCast has also be the basis for developing, in cooperation with the U.S. and China, the GEONETCast system, which will support the exchange of data and products in support to the GEOSS initiative.
The content of EUMETCast is also becoming more and more diverse, In addition to traditional meteorological products and services, EUMETCast is also used to disseminate environment EO data, such as the Spot Vegetation images. EUMETCast currently covers Europe, Africa, South America and the middle East.
FUTURE & SOCIETY
The progress achieved in remote sensing has also opened our eyes to numerous other applications, the main one being the monitoring of the earth‘s condition. How crucial is the role of weather prediction in our economy, especially agricultural planning and disaster management?
The World Meteorological Organisation estimated that 80% of the natural disasters are weather related. In summer 2004 annual monsoons left 5 million homeless and more than 1,800 dead in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Four major hurricanes struck the US between 13 August and 26 September 2004 killing more than 150 people and causing more than $40bn of damage. This is also true in Europe. In 1999 storms in France cost €6.7 Billion and floods across Europe in 2002 generated degradation estimated worth of €20 billions. A last example is the heat wave in Europe in 2003during which 30,000 people died and losses were €13 billion.
So it is clear that it is absolutely essential to continue to improve the forecasting of extreme weather phenomena. At this regard, satellite observations are becoming more and more important to increase the accuracy of the prediction resulting from the Numerical Models. The future generation of instruments embarked of future EUMETSAT satellite systems will for sure accompany the improvement of the weather forecast and warning systems.
In terms of economic impact, not only weather forecasts are important. The detection and monitoring of climate changes are essential for the future of our planet. A simple reference to the Stern report published in the U.K. in November 2006 shows that the overall costs and risks of climate change will be equivalent to losing at least 5% of global GDP each year, now and forever.
It is only by securing that we will dispose of long series of observations, including from space, that we will be in a position to detect any change and to assess the impact of the measures that will be taken to combat climate changes. EUMETSAT will be one of the partners in the world contributing to this endeavour with its satellite observations.

Earth Observation is at a turning point world wide. The awareness of the risks inherent to an uncontrolled development of human activities has led to environmental protocols and to the setup of new partnership, such as Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), to develop synergies between available capabilities internationally or the European GMES initiative (Global Monitoring of Environment and Security).

GMES has already gathered substantial momentum through the actions of the European Union and European Space Agencies and through the wide ranging participation of European industry. Indeed European Remote Sensing companies have all the competence and experience needed for a successful GMES. This encompasses in-situ, airborne and spaceborne sensor deployment, ground infrastructures and data processing, value added data production and interpretation, extending to aid for Environment and Security decision-making.
GMES is a complex undertaking and the process of developing applications for new end users, many of whom may be decision makers or policy makers in the public and private sectors, requires research and/or the integration of multiple sources of data and information. Equally important are the conditions under which data and/or applications are made available to users, requiring that issues such as the timeliness, continuity, and stability of data; reliability of access; viability of data formats and processing; intellectual property rights; and operational cost-effectiveness be addressed satisfactorily. All of these elements come into account for most data access and use techniques, in particular in-situ and remote sensing.
It is by now well recognised that the proper monitoring of our planet will require the joint use of in-situ and remote sensing techniques. While those approaches are operationally very different, they need to be considered together in any serious plan to monitor a site, a region, a country or the Earth as a whole. Unfortunately this synergy is not yet realised, in part because of the different technologies involved and skills required to operate them, in part because of the resilience of traditional working practices, in part also because of arguments linked to training, to the need to implement new tools and models, and to many other aspects.
The objectives of the symposium are:
* first: to bring together experts from the two sides to increase mutual knowledge of their communities
* second: to quickly reassess the importance of in-situ and remote sensing techniques in Global Earth Monitoring
* third: to explore the mechanisms of synergy between in-situ and RS and to evaluate its impact.
* fourth: to foster the development of the synergy at European level.
The presented workshop will be an opportunity to draw on the experience gained through the industry and other stakeholders as European Union and European Space Agencies
Target Audience: Industry, Research centres and Space Agencies, European Union Agencies involved in GMES and GEO representatives.
Format: Round panels for discussion
Venue: May 31st – Brussels, 2007
CCAB, Centre Borschette
Rue Froissart, 36 – 1040
(metro: Schuman / Maelbeek)
Organization:
-European Commission Information Society Directorate General (DG INFSO)
-EARSC, The European Association of Remote Sensing Companies.
For more information please consult EARSC website in the coming weeks
¡¡¡ REGISTRATION CLOSED !!!
TENTATIVE AGENDA
Welcome (09h00-09h30)
G. Weets (DG INFSO), P. Kamoun (EARSC)
Discussion 1: Sensors network architecture: (09h30-10h30)

Moderator: J. Pereira (EU-DG-INFSO)
Current trends in sensor networks, J. Pereira (DG-INFSO)
Sensor networks interoperability, R. Denzer (SANY)
Open architecture for smart and in-situ sensor networks, D. Tacyniak, S. Jirka (OSIRIS)
Self-organized wireless sensor networks, P. Capodieci (WINSOC)
Data base integration of multiple sensors, W. Van de Weghe (ORACLE)
Coffee Break
Discussion 2: Pilot implementations: (10h45-12h30)
Moderator: K. Fabbri (EU-DG-INFSO)
Sensors for forest fire detection: C.C. Tassini (EU-FIRE)
Sensor networks for tsunami monitoring: J. Wächter (DEWS)
High Altitude Platforms for environmental monitoring and risk management: N. Lewycky (OSIRIS)

Multi-parametric approach to water quality: L. Sanfilippo (WARMER)
Visual sensor integration: P. Chrobocinski (DYVINE)
Lunch Break
Discussion 3: Integration of in-situ and EO sensors: (14h00-15h00)
Moderator: P. Kamoun (EARSC)
Combining EO and in-situ: T. Hamre (INTERRISK)
Sensor Fusion Services: Z.A. Sabeur (SANY)
Cooperating EO sensors: (INDRA, GIM)
Round Table 1: Integration of in-situ and EO sensors: (15h00-16h00)
Moderator: P. Kamoun (EARSC)
Mapping of in-situ communities: C. Steenmans (EEA, EIONET)
Meteorology and air pollution: U. Gartner (Eumetnet)
Integration in mapping: P. Pitteurs (TELEATLAS)
GMES fast track applications: W. Steinborn (GMES Bureau)
Coffee Break
Round table 2: Infrastructure and Policies: (16h15-17h00)
Moderator: M. Monteiro (EU-DG-INFSO)
INSPIRE: H. De Groof, (DG-ENV)
UNSDI: S. D’Elia, (ESA)
UNOSAT: A. Rétière (UN)
Final Round table: ”Technology and Systems Roadmap: what’s next” (17h00-17h30)
Moderator: M. Schoupe (DG-INFSO)
Participants: DG-INFSO, DG-ENT, EUMETSAT, GEO, EEA , EURISY

As reported in the previous EOMag, ESA has contracted Vega to execute an update to the Analysis of the State and Health of the EO Service Industry. This will assess how the industry has evolved since 2003 and what are the dominant issues presently facing the industry.

The information collected will be analysed to identify priority issues to be addressed by ESA EO Exploitation Programmes. This is essential to ensure that ESA activities continue to effectively support the European and Canadian EO service providers by addressing the dominant opportunities, threats and other concerns facing the industry.
Basic company information, together with details of the product and service portfolio for each company will also be used by EARSC to populate the EO-PAGES website. This is an EARSC promotional activity intended to foster improved communication between the EO service industry and customer organisations in other industrial and market sectors.
The information collection phase has now started. A web based set of questions together with a Microsoft Excel based financial spreadsheet will be made available from 23 April.
All European and Canadian EO service providers identified by the study team will receive an email notification of their username and password that will enable them to access the EO Survey Website:
If you have not received an email by 27 April and you wish to participate in the survey, or if you have any other questions regarding the survey, contact the following email address:
Alternatively, contact Gordon Campbell from ESA at the following address:
Active participation by the EO service industry is a critical component in ensuring that the survey can meet the objectives of furnishing a sufficiently comprehensive and accurate snapshot of the current industry status and health. Without this, there is a risk that ESA EO exploitation programmes do not respond adequately to the EO Service Industry agenda.
To foster the maximum level of participation possible, a major effort has been conducted by the study team to ensure that the level of effort required to complete the question set is minimised. For example, in many cases responses have been pre-compiled with information from the previous survey so that companies need only enter new information where updates are necessary. Initial testing of the question pages indicates that the total time for completion is less than 1.5 hours. In addition, the questions can be completed over several sessions if necessary in order to maximise the flexibility and ease of completion.
(Source ESA-EOMD)

EARSC Board is glad to welcome Oracle Belgium in our Association

On EARSC behalf, we are certain that new Members will contribute actively to the aims of EARSC enthusiastically involved in coordinating and strengthening the Earth-observation chain and promoting the European Earth observation industry in programmes such as GMES and GEOSS.
EARSC Membership is nowadays increasing which encourage us in the Board of Directors to continue to do our best to fulfill the tasks that you as members could expect of the association. On EARSC behalf, Welcome!
More information about the new member at:
EARSC membership represents the entire spectrum of the Earth Observation industry including all sector chain: providers, stakeholders and users. For our members, the annual membership dues are a cost-effective way to stay informed, promote their company, political and institutional representation, networking opportunities with industry players and help support the future of Earth Observation. Industry together could transform activities into meaningful action on behalf of our sector.
EARSC membership is composed by full members and observer members
Full Corporate Members
Any commercial European company or partnership offering and undertaking consulting and contracting services or supplying equipment in the field of remote sensing which is based in a European Country which contributes to the European Space Agency or which is a member of the European Community shall be eligible for membership.
Observer Members
Companies from countries associated to European programs but not eligible for full membership. Any active representative organization, institution or association party in the field of Earth observation and not engaged in commercial or profit-making activities such as Public/Governmental Bodies, International Organisation, International Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Private Non Profit Organisation/Foundation, Network/Association/Aggregation of Intermediaries(profit or non profit), Business Association, Universities, other?) with interest in Earth Observation.
More information on membership at EARSC

Our association is nearing the one hundred members level and in the wake of the EoVox analyses we are considering some important evolutions in the way we carry our association business. Such evolutions relate in particular both to increasing our action potential and to get more of the influence expected from us through better visibility and presence. An evolution plan elaborated by a dedicated working group which met several times during the past year will be submitted for a vote to the members at the next General Assembly on July 4th in Brussels.
The proposed changes are very substantial and fully justify your educated presence and the resulting essential feedback that you must provide. This next General Assembly will also be marked by the presence of high executives from top European public institutions which will contribute to make that day a very fruitful one and a not to be missed occasion.
This General Assembly will bring to a close a business year marked by progress on several fronts for the European involvement in the use of Earth Observation for the monitoring of the environment. On the political front, with more in-depth discussions on the various governance issues, on the economic and financial fronts with clarifications of budget lines at ESA and EU, or on the technical and thematic fronts with the taking off of the Sentinel satellites programme and the development of the Fast Track services. The events of this spring, the GMES conference under German presidency in Munich, the ESA ENVISAT conference in Montreux, and the next EURISY meeting on May 29th and 30th in Barcelona on “Future Challenges for Local and Regional Authorities: How can Space Technology help”, all point towards this same direction. Last and certainly not least EARSC is organising on May 31st in partnership with the EU DG INFSO a strategically important event for GMES, gathering in Brussels the in-situ and remote sensing communities. This event entitled “In-situ monitoring and Earth observation in the framework of GMES and GEOSS” will be the precursor of a stronger involvement of EARSC in the links with the in-situ communities.
Even if these steps are encouraging, our vigilance should not weaken. GMES is a very complex initiative and our support must not fail. GMES is a chance for Europe as well as for sustainable development at large within the GEOSS framework
We look forward to seeing you at the next EARSC events and to listen to your opinions and recommendations.
With best wishes to you all.
On behalf of the Board
EARSC Chairman

Events and Symposia

Start Date End Date Event Web link Venue
22-jan-07 25-jan-07 DGI Europe 2007 web London, UK
22-jan-07 26-jan-07 POLinSAR 2007 web Frascati, Italy
07-feb-07 09-feb-07 Int. Workshop on Remote
Sensing of Vegetation Fluorescence
web Florence, Italy
08-feb-07 08-feb-06 Sinequanet Workshop programme web ESOC, Germany
14-feb-07 14-feb-07 Understanding Land-Ocean-Atmosphere
Interactions in the Climate System: the role of Earth
web London, UK
27-feb-07 01-mar-07 Space Options for the
21st Century
web Noordwijk, The Netherlands
01-mar-07 03-mar-07 2nd International
Trade Fair for Geodesy, Cartography and Geoinformatics
web Prage, Check
Republic
04-mar-07 07-mar-07 2007 Integrating GIS &
CAMA Conference
web Las Vegas, USA
04-mar-07 07-mar-07 GITA 2007 web Texas, USA
12-mar-07 14-mar-07 10th Intl. Symposium on
Physical Measurements and Signatures in Remote Sensing
web Davos, Switzerland
13-mar-07 16-mar-07 GeoForum + 2007 web Moscow, Russia
14-mar-06 16-mar-06 MarCoast project web Amsterdam, The Netherlands
06-apr-07 07-apr-07 27th EARSeL
Sympos “Geoinformation in Europe”
web Bolzano, Italy
11-apr-07 13-apr-07 Urban Remote Sensing:
High resolution Earth Imaging for Geospatial Information
web Paris, France
16-apr-07 17-apr-07 Bridging the gap between
space and local and regional users
web Barcelona, Spain
17-apr-07 17-apr-07 GMES conference web Munich, Germany
23-apr-07 25-apr-07 5th EARSeL
SIG-IS work “ Imaging spectroscopy: innovation in environmental research”
web Bruges, Belgium
23-apr-07 26-apr-07 EarthCARE Workshop web Frascati, Italy
23-apr-07 27-apr-07 Envisat Symposium web Montreux, Switzerland
07-may-07 09-may-07 EarthCARE Workshop web Noordwijk, The Netherlands
08-may-07 10-may-07 10th AGILE
Conference on GI Science
web Aalborg, Denmark
16-may-07 18-may-07 ISPRS WG VII/2 & VII/7
Joint Conference on Information Extraction from SAR & Optical Data
web Istanbul, Turkey
20-may-07 23-may-07 URISA GIS in Public Health web New Orleans, USA
23-may-07 27-may-07 3rd International Symposium
on Geoinformation for Disaster Management
web Toronto, Canada
23-may-07 25-may-07 River Basin Management
2007
web Kos, Greece
29-may-07 01-jun-07 ISPRS: High resolution
Earth Imaging for geospatial information
web Hannover, Germany
04-jun-07 07-jun-07 27th EARSeL Symposium:
“Geoinformation in Europe”
web Bolzano, Italy
07-jun-07 08-jun-07 Workshop on GMES, Global
Monitoring for Environment and Security
web Bolzano, Italy
07-jun-07 09-jun-07 EARSel, Remote Sensing
of the Coastal Zone
web Bolzano, Italy
18-jun-07 20-jun-07 Data Mining & Information
Engineering 2007
web The new Forest, UK
03-jul-07 07-jul-07 Geoinformatics Forum Salzburg web Salzburg, Austria
04-jul-07 06-jul-07 13th EC GI & GIS Workshop web Porto, Portugal
18-jul-07 20-jul-07 MULTITEMP-2007 web Leuven, Belgium
03-sep-07 06-sep-07 11th World Summit for Satellite Financing and the 5th World Symposium
on Market Forecasts for the Satellite Business
web Paris, France
03-sep-07 06-sep-07 International Conference:
Monitoring the Effectiveness of Nature Conservation
web Birmensdorf, Switzerland
27-sep-07 30-sep-09 6th International Workshop
of the EARSeL Special Interest Group (SIG) on Forest Fires
web Thessaloniki, Greece
27-sep-07 30-sep-09 3rd International conference:
“Earth from space – the Most Effective Solutions”
web Moscow, The Russian Federation

The European Parliament gave the go-ahead for the EU‘s research and development funding for the period 2007-2013, when MEPs adopted 10 reports relating to the 7th Framework Research Programme (FP7).

Research and innovation – 30-11-2006
This programme, the EU‘s main instrument for funding scientific research, will have a budget of more than €54 billion over its seven-year life.
As Parliament and Council have settled their main differences through a compromise package, FP7 is to enter into force on 1 January 2007.
What is FP7?
The seventh programme is intended to build on the achievements of its predecessor by making further progress towards the creation of a European Research Area, the equivalent of a “common market” for research. The long-term goal is for the European Union to become the world’s leading research area.
Successive framework programmes (FPs) have operated since 1984, each covering a five year period. The current programme – FP6 – expires at the end of 2006. However, FP7 will run for seven years – from 1 January 2007 to 2013 – so as to coincide with the EU‘s multiannual budget framework (the Financial Perspective).
Simpler instruments and procedures for funding and participation are a feature of FP7, which will promote collaborative research based on broad research areas, with much continuity from FP6 plus two new topics, space and security. Only projects involving several partners from different countries will be financed. The programme‘s funds are not general subsidies to research organisations or companies: they may only be used for specific work or research projects.
The 7th Framework Programme is organised around four Specific Programmes:
Co-operation: a programme to support cooperation between universities, industry, research centres and public authorities, and between the EU and third countries.
Ideas: a programme to create an autonomous European Research Council to support investigator-driven “frontier research”.
People: a programme to support training and career development of researchers.
Capacities: a programme focusing on the coordination and development of research infrastructure, support for regional research clusters, SMEs, closer ties between science and society and international cooperation.
In addition, Specific Programmes will be set up for the Joint Research Centre (non-nuclear activities) and Euratom nuclear research and training activities.
Separately, the Euratom Framework Programme (which also has a Specific Programme) covers two areas: fusion energy research and nuclear fission and radiation protection.
Parliament‘s role
The European Parliament has joint legislative power with the Council (under the codecision procedure) on the main programme (FP7) and the rules for participation. It is only consulted on the Euratom programme and the various specific programmes.
Parliament strongly backed this legislation from the outset and made every effort to speed it through the legislative process. On 15 June, the EP adopted its first reading position on the main FP7 programme and its report on the Euratom part.
Many of Parliament‘s first-reading amendments were accepted by Council, including those aimed at encouraging participation by small and medium-sized firms and boosting the position of young researchers and women in science, and those dealing with stem cell research. The 39 new compromise amendments on which Parliament will vote on 30 November deal with the remaining issues which MEPs still wish to emphasise, including Parliament‘s priorities, the European Research Council and the proposed Risk Sharing Facility. Members also stress that no money from FP7 should be used to finance the proposed European Institute of Technology.
Parliament‘s priorities
MEPs are insisting on shifting some of the spending towards Parliament‘s own priorities, including research on renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as the possibility of funding research on children‘s health, respiratory diseases (including those induced by allergies), plus research into neglected diseases.
The compromise states that renewables and end use energy efficiency will account for the “major part” of the budget of FP7‘s energy theme – rather than the two thirds proposed in Parliament‘s first reading. Special attention will be devoted to coordination of issues linked to rational and efficient use of energy within the Framework Programme and in other EU policies and programmes.
European Research Council
The compromise also includes amendments concerning the European Research Council – a new body to support investigator-driven “frontier research”. It was agreed that the administration costs of the ERC should not exceed 5% of its total budget in order to maximise funding for frontier research – in its first reading Parliament had asked for a limit of 3%, to avoid top-heavy administration. On the question of how far Parliament should be involved in an interim evaluation of the ERC‘s structure, it was agreed that the co-decision procedure would be used if changes in the structure of the ERC become necessary.
Ethical questions
Ethical issues were of great concern to all involved in the adoption of the programme, with opinions differing sharply. At its first reading Parliament adopted a compromise which the Council was able to accept (with opposition from a couple of Member States
Parliament and Council agreed that all the research activities carried out under the Seventh Framework Programme must be carried out in compliance with fundamental ethical principles. Thus, no Community funding will be allowed for research aimed at human cloning for reproductive purposes or research intended to modify the genetic heritage of human beings. Nor will funds be available for research intended to create human embryos solely for the purposes of research or stem cell procurement, including by means of somatic cell nuclear transfer.
Research on the use of human stem cells, both adult and embryonic, may be financed, depending both on the nature of the scientific proposal and the legal framework of the Member State(s) involved. As regards the use of human embryonic stem cells, institutions, organisations and researchers must be strictly licensed and controlled in accordance with the legal framework of the Member State(s) involved.
Risk Sharing Facility and European Institute of Technology
The Risk Sharing Finance Facility, designed to encourage bank lending to research projects, is also part of the second-reading compromise. The Council had planned to allocate €1 billion from FP7 to finance the RSFF (to be matched by an equal amount from the European Investment Bank) but now the compromise provides for a lower contribution from FP7 until 2010 – €500 million – with the possibility of releasing up to an additional €500 million after an evaluation process.
The Parliament has meanwhile stressed that no FP7 funds should contribute to the establishment or administrative costs of the European Institute of Technology. Only administrative costs directly associated with research projects may be covered.
Budget
The overall budget planned for the 7th Framework Programme in the 2007-2013 Financial Perspective is €54 582 million in current prices. Of this, €50 521 million is for the European Community programme and €2751 million for the Euratom programme, which runs from 2007 to 2011. A further €1310 million is indicatively planned for the Euratom programme for 2012-2013 but this will need to be confirmed at a later stage. (all figures in EUR million)
Parliament – compromise with Council (13.11.2006)
Council Common Position (September 2006)
Cooperatio
32413
32365
- Health
6100
6050
- Food,
Agriculture and Fisheries,
Biotechnology
1935
1935
- Information and Communication
Technology
9050
9119
- Nanociences, Nanotechnologies
and new Production Technologies
3475
3500
- Energy
2350
2300
- Transport (including Aeronautics)
4160
4180
- Socio-economic
Sciences and the Humanities
623
610
- Security
1400
1350
- Space
1430
1430
Ideas
7510
7460
People
4750
4728
Capacities
4097
4217
- Research Infrastructures
1715
1850
- Research for the
benefit of SME
s
1336
1336
- Regions of Knowledge
126
126
- Research Potential
340
370
- Science in society
330
280
- Coherent development
of research policies
70
70
- Activities of International Cooperation
180
185
Non-nuclear activities
of the Joint Research Centre
1751
1751
TOTAL
50521
50521
Rules for participation
Parliament also adopted a codecision report (first reading) by Philippe Busquin (PES, BE) on the implementing rules for participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in activity under the Seventh Framework Programme. Here too a first-reading compromise has been reached between rapporteur, shadow rapporteurs and the Council, the main aim of which is to simplify the rules.
Press:
Constanze CKERHOFF
Press Service – Press Officer
Telephone: (32-2) 28 44302 (BXL)
Mobile: (32) 0498.983.550
Richard FREEDMAN
Press Service – Press Officer
Telephone: (32-2) 28 41448 (BXL)/ (33-3) 881 73785 (STR) /+32(0) 498 98 32 39
REF.: 20061129IPR00712

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has launched a call for tenders for a GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) fast track service on land monitoring – high-resolution core land cover data for built-up areas, including degree of soil sealing, 2006. (Source Cordis)
The European Environment Agency (EEA) has launched a call
for tenders for a GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security)
fast track service on land monitoring – high-resolution core land cover
data for built-up areas, including degree of soil sealing, 2006. The EEA is collaborating with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the
European Commission (EC) on the implementation of a fast track service
on land monitoring, in line with the Communication from the Commission
to the Council and the European Parliament ‘Global Monitoring for
Environment and Security (GMES): From Concept to Reality’ (COM
565 final).
For the implementation of this GMES fast track
service on land monitoring (Land FTS) 2006-2008, a CLC (Corine Land
Cover) update will be combined with the production of new
high-resolution land cover data to provide a first set of
cost-effective operational services on core land cover and land use
data at European level, based on high-quality ortho-rectified
multi-temporal satellite data.
These land cover data will support a wide range
of environmental information requirements for framing, implementing and
evaluating several policy areas at European, national and regional
level including agriculture, soil, water, urban environment, air
quality, physical planning, integrated coastal zone management,
biodiversity and nature protection.
The overall objective is the production of a
seamless European high-resolution core land cover dataset of built-up
areas, including degree of soil sealing, for the reference year 2006.
The ortho-rectified satellite input data for this GMES fast track
service will be made available by ESA.
For further information, please contact:
European Environment Agency
Attn: Linda Jandrup
Kongens Nytorv 6
DK-1050 Copenhagen K
Tel: +45 33 36 71 71
Fax: +45 33 36 71 51
E-mail: Contact
To see the full details of the call, please consult the following web address:
Remarks:
The deadline for requesting tender documents is 9 February 2007.
The deadline for submitting tender documents is 21 February 2007.
Before
contacting the Commission, tenderers are strongly advised to consult
the original call text in the Official Journal of the European Union at
the reference below.
Category: Calls
Data Source Provider: Official Journal of the European Union
Document Reference: OJ No S 11-011672 of 17 January 2007
Subject Index: Environmental Protection; Policies; Information Processing, Information Systems
RCN: 26968
(Source Cordis)