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Author: EARSC

Infoterra, a world leader in the provision of geographic information
products and services, has launched GeoStore.com, a unique web
based service giving businesses seamless access to geographical data.

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Infoterra, a world leader in the provision of geographic
information products and services, has launched GeoStore.com, a
unique web based service giving businesses seamless access to
geographical data.
Geographic information affects almost
every aspect of business decision-making, from property planning and
insurance through to environmental assessment. Infoterra has developed
GeoStore.com to provide a flexible online service for businesses to
access geographic data. The first phase sees the availability of aerial
imagery of England, with plans in place to add further data during
2006.
As there are many uses for geographic data
GeoStore.com offers three online services. Each service offers the
ability to view and purchase the latest aerial imagery, and is the only
on-line system of its kind to provide images that have not been
compressed in storage, therefore delivering higher quality images to
the user. GeoStore.com offers a unique service by providing a truly
seamless shopping experience: the ability to choose the exact area of
an image required and receive a quote online, as well as the ability to
transfer this data directly to a GIS application.
GeoStore Select – Allows a location to be
identified and by using roam, pan and zoom functionality, a precise
area can be displayed. Once the data is selected, the user will receive
a quote on screen and be able to choose a delivery format.
- GeoStore Explore – Offers the ability
to view and analyse geographic data through a web browser without the
need for GIS software or storing a local copy. It is ideal for
professional users who wish to undertake rapid site investigation,
including risk assessments, planning reviews and environmental
enquiries. GeoStore Explore will be available later this year.
- GeoStore Direct – Enables immediate access to terabytes
of data, hosted by GeoStore.com, from within the user’s own
geo-information system. Through an OGC WMS compliant interface,
environmental reports, property reports, and others can be instantly
enhanced with accurate geographic imagery.
Dr Andy Wells, director of marketing at
Infoterra comments, “Today, geographical data underpins more
operational decisions than ever. As the demand for accurate, high
quality geographic information grows, GeoStore.com offers a single
solution allowing businesses to make informed decisions based on the
latest geospatial data.”
Wells continues, “GeoStore.com will be
constantly updated and improved, to provide the most current
geographical data available online.”
About Infoterra Ltd
Infoterra Ltd. is a world leader in the provision of
geographic information products and services. Its portfolio of
geographic information solutions includes airborne and satellite data
acquisition, geo-information creation, database management and
outsourced hosting. Infoterra provides geospatial knowledge to
companies worldwide to help them make informed decisions. The company
has clients in communications, utilities, engineering, agriculture,
defence and oil, gas & mineral exploration. Infoterra is a wholly
owned subsidiary of EADS Astrium.
Infoterra is a trademark of Infoterra Ltd. All other trademarks and
registered trademarks used herein are the property of their respective
owners.
For more information contact:
Simon Corbett,
Edelman, +44 20 7344 1349, simon.corbett@edelman.com
(Credits Infoterra Ltd)

Kongsberg Spacetec has successfully completed delivery of the Chinese University of Hong Kong ENVISAT receiving station.

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Kongsberg Spacetec has successfully completed delivery of the
Chinese University of Hong Kong ENVISAT receiving station. The system
is receiving ASAR and MERIS from
Envisat and outputs standard image products. The system is also capable
of doing automatic ship detection.
Previously Kongsberg Spacetec has
delivered Envisat ASAR reception and processing system to Remote
Sensing Ground Station (RSGS) in Bejing, and TERRA/AQUA direct
broadcast systems to several customers in China.
(Credits Kongsberg Spacetec)

GMV has been involved in the development of the MetOp mission for a
long time, with contributions to different areas such as flight
dynamics, mission planning and data processing.

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GMV has been involved in the development of the MetOp mission for
a long time, with contributions to different areas such as flight
dynamics, mission planning and data processing.
Within the data processing field, GMV is
participating in the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME), a
spectrometer aboard the MetOp satellite series, whose main product is
the ozone column density. Since mid 2001, GMV has been developing the
simulator and the prototype processor as well as providing support to
the validation of the operational processor.
Photo Credits: ESA
The GOME-2 processor prototype has been used to assess the GOME-2
ground processing and to validate the operational processor integrated
in the EPS ground segment. The processor generates reference data for
the operational processor validation and the auxiliary tools provide
the means to perform the validation itself: product format checking,
product comparison, visualization, dumping, and reporting.
The GOME-2 processor prototype calculates in near-real time the
required checks to identify the quality of the products. Two sets of
checks are performed. The first set of checks is related to measurement
degradation, i.e., SAA pixels, clouds, sun-glint, saturated, and so on.
The other set of checks is related to the quality of the instrument,
i.e., non-nominal currents, voltages and temperatures. Additionally,
the Product Quality Evaluation tool provides the means to verify the
quality of the measurements by checking and analysing, in a graphical
way, all the quality flags, reporting the status, performing new
additional checks and extracting high level parameters like vegetation
index, ozone, ground images.
GMV will also support ESA for the GOME-2 In Orbit Verification (IOV),
during the MetOp commissioning phase. GMV will perform the required
adaptations and implement the new functionality required by the GOME-2
performance tests. GMV will also support the execution at ESA premises
during the SIOV rehearsal and the SIOV execution.
(Text credits GMV. Image credits ESA)

In October 2005, GAF AG celebrates its 20-year anniversary.

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GAF AG, headquartered in Munich, was founded in 1985 as the
Gesellschaft für Angewandte Fernerkundung mbH (GAF) by Dr. Rupert
Haydn, together with Agrar- und Hydrotechnik GmbH (AHT), Essen, and the
JBK Management Company of the Wittelbacher Equalization Fund in Munich.
The idea behind the company was to offer services in the business
segment of earth observation using satellite data, a completely new
field at that time. Over time, this core competence was developed and
expanded with the development of new market applications in the areas
of system technology and geo-information. The conversion into GAF AG, a
stock corporation, took place in 2001 and the shares held by AHT and
JBK were acquired by the Italian company Telespazio in 2003.
Today, GAF is a consulting company that is
globally active with an international reputation as a competent
provider of project conception, management and implementation services
to private and public clients. Under the leadership of Dr. Haydn, who
has directed the company since its establishment, GAF AG has set new
standards in quality, competence and reliability, while simultaneously
developing a high-performance, multi-disciplinary range of products and
services.
The growth in the number of employees also
impressively confirms the success story of the company, which started
with a team of just 5. GAF AG currently employs more than 80 highly
qualified experts in the fields of information and remote sensing
technologies, covering a wide-range of multi-disciplinary thematic
backgrounds relating to earth sciences. This broad range of skills and
expert knowledge positions GAF AG as the absolute leader in competence
in its market segment.
The GAF AG goal is always to develop
products and services that exactly match the needs of the customers and
the market, and that exceed the expectations of users and recipients.
Today, the firm is proud of its developments and solutions, which
guarantee its customers customized and often unrivalled products, and
which therefore also document the technological leadership of the
company.
Core competencies of GAF AG:
# Distribution of satellite data: GAF is Europe‘s leading
supplier of satellite data and products and services based on such
data. Based on distribution agreements with all significant satellite
operators, GAF, and its subsidiary Euromap, offer the complete spectrum
of satellite data available in the civilian sector.
# Set up and management of spatial information systems
(geographic information systems – GIS, land information systems – LIS)
for a very diverse range of application fields
# Project conception and project management in the areas of data acquisition and spatial data processing and analysis
# Operational geodata processing
# Institutional consultation and expert training
# User specific software design and development, along with complete system integration
# Production of tailored mapping products
# Virtual reality and multimedia
# Research and development in the areas of GIS, databases and digital image processing
International consulting
One
important department is Consulting Services, which covers the planning,
implementation and management of complex projects based on GIS and
remote sensing in a range of fields at national and international
levels, such as environmental issues, geology and water, agriculture,
forestry, cadastre and infrastructure support.
From the start, GAF AG has been an
internationally active company with a global network. It has project
references in more than 60 countries spread across every continents.
The GAF customer portfolio includes
clients from commercial companies, public institutions, government
departments and supranational organizations. Examples of clients are
telecommunication companies, raw material firms, international
financial organizations such as the World Bank, Inter-American
Development Bank and kfW, as well as the European Union, ESA (European
Space Agency) and UNDP.
Euromap: satellite data and services for Europe (www.euromap.de)
Euromap Satellitendaten-Vertriebsgesellschaft
mbH is a fully owned subsidiary of GAF AG; it was founded in 1996 with
the goal of receiving, processing and distributing data from the Indian
satellites IRS- 1C, IRS- 1D and IRS-P6 (Resourcesat-1). The German
Aerospace Center (DLR) has taken over reception of the data with its
state-of-the-art antenna systems in Neustrelitz
(Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) and, in order to guarantee that customers are
supported in a timely and efficient manner, Neustrelitz was selected as
the ideal place for the Euromap headquarters. Today, Euromap works from
Neustrelitz on behalf of GAF AG to provide the German market with data
from almost all commercially available earth observation satellites.
’Euro-Maps’ is a product developed
by Euromap GmbH and is based on IRS satellite data. It is currently the
only available high-resolution satellite mosaic on the market that
provides blanket nationwide coverage and that provides such a high
quality and up-to-date and precise foundation for planning. The latest
IRS-P6 data is always processed for the Euro-Maps mosaics. The high
resolution (5 meters on the ground) and the high positional accuracy
(RMSE 10 – 15 m) of the image data, combined with its homogenous
structure, form an excellent foundation for the most diverse planning
and mapping assignments, down to a scale of 1:20,000. The Euro-Maps
image data is available for wide portions of Europe and is already
being successfully used for a very wide range of tasks.
(Credits GAF AG)

EADS Fleximage has prepared a study covering the changes, the outlets or
threats Google Earth product generates in the geographical information
and Defence & Security world.

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EADS Fleximage has prepared a study covering the changes, the outlets or
threats Google Earth product generates in the geographical information
and Defence & Security world.
EADS Fleximage is one of the world
leaders in Satellite Image Analysis and Image software for Defence and
Security. Our expertise and products are mostly dedicated to
Intelligence, Security and Peacekeeping Organisations and Institutions.
Google Earth (GE) is a powerful combination of imagery and
software enabling everyone to survey any area from the Earth. – What
are the technical features, the
reliability and limits of GE data and software, face to the
international security regulations? – Which confidence in data, the
real dangers of a
pernicious use, or the multiple impacts of such an easy access to
imagery on users or geographical information market? – What are the new
applications stemming from the GE
offering, the services which can be derived from, or the ways to
integrate GE into an information system?…
To get information on the GE study: GE-study@fleximage.fr and sales@fleximage.fr
In addition, EADS Fleximage offers on-line services in reconnaissance and identification of Google Earth imagery:
-
RECCE Engine on-line, a web site to support identification of mobile
equipment such as ships, aircrafts or vehicles (access upon
subscription)
- Flex-Consulting on-line, to get a near real time answer
to questions from features observed through Google Earth (Access upon
subscription)

EADS Defence and Communication Systems (DCS) is part of the Defence
& Security Systems (DS) Division of EADS.
The DCS goal is to create complete communication and information
systems solutions including platforms and to provide the means of
implementing these solutions.

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The DCS goal is to create complete communication and information
systems solutions including platforms and to provide the means of
implementing these solutions. With its systems competencies, DCS
fulfils all customer requirements in the areas of Air and Naval
Defence, Information Superiority, advanced Command, Control and
Communication (C3I) systems, Professional Mobile Radio and Homeland
Security.
DCS is the EADS “Systems House”, offering
its customers comprehensive and tailored solutions that combine the
know-how to design, develop and implement Large System Integration
(LSI) solutions making it possible to link the widest possible range of
individual platforms and subsystems into a single effective network.
DCS can call on the full range of capabilities and experience in
military systems and secure communications networks. In order to make
the technological changes tangible and demonstrate the strengths of
this paradigm, EADS simulation tools such as NETCOS (Network Centric
Operations Simulation) are an important part of DCS.
Information Superiority
Information Superiority is the key source
for information procurement within the EADS Systems House. EADS
provides information superiority systems based on fully integrated
information chains such as
- ground segments for all kinds of platforms (mission aircraft and UAVs),
- a family of earth observation satellite ground segments, and
- advanced interpretation tools, as well as accurate 3-D
image modelling for military and civil applications, supplying complex
Network Centric Warfare systems with high value-added information for
strategic, operational and tactical missions (Image and Electromagnetic
Intelligence).
The new requirements of Information
Superiority operations demonstrate the growing importance of network
centric information and the need for highly interoperable systems. EADS
DCS is developing a new concept of Multi Mission Ground Segments to
meet armed forces’ needs for time-critical intelligence gathering and
processing in a multi-mission and multi-sensor context. Its open system
architecture facilitates its integration into a network centric
environment. Strong communication links, together with appropriate data
fusion and adequate data dissemination systems, ensure prompt and
accurate information delivery to all relevant decision-makers.
EADS also supplies and supports a complete
range of ground segments for the theatre of operations as well as for
UAVs, reconnaissance aircraft and satellite imagery, with over 400
operating stations in service worldwide.
Amongst the most important contracts in this field, EADS Defence and
Communications Systems (DCS) has signed last June, a contract worth
19.3 million euros with the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources
and the Environment for the turnkey provision of
a complete environmental and natural resources monitoring system, to be
operated by the national Centre for Remote Sensing in Vietnam.
The integrated system to be supplied
by EADS DCS consists of a receiving station for satellite images from
SPOT and ENVISAT, a centre for the processing and distribution of
images, and 15 specialised application systems for operational and
research purposes. These systems will be installed on the premises of
the main public operators, namely Vietnamese ministries and other
project partners such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development, the Ministry of Fisheries, the Ministry of Natural
Resources and the Environment, the national civil defence agency and
the Vietnam Petroleum Institute.
The fifteen applications will be employed
in such activities as risk prevention and support for emergency rescue
services, the observation and planning of agricultural land use for the
cultivation of major crops including rice, the surveillance of maritime
and coastal zones, research in connection with the preservation of
resources in inland waters and forests, and geological studies for the
petroleum and mining industries.
The project is expected to last 3 years, including installation of the system, training, technical
assistance, a variety of pilot projects in each field of application,
and assisting the system’s future owners with the development of their
national centre for remote sensing.
It is one of the most comprehensive and
innovative projects of its type ever to have been launched in Asia, and
forms the extension of a scientific and technological co-operation
agreement in the field of remote sensing that was concluded between
France and Vietnam in 1990, in which EADS has always played a key
partnership role.
Others major Programmes are main European
earth observation satellite ground segments: SPOT 1 to 5, HELIOS 1,
HELIOS 2, SAR LUPE, Mission aircraft ground segments: AGS, Asro-X,
Field-proven multi-satellite mobile stations: Eagle Vision,
Reconnaissance systems: AIES for German Air Force Recce-Tornados,
Operational and next-generation ground segment systems for drones and
UAVs: CL 289, SIDM, EuroHawk, etc, Cartographic data production systems
for army, air force and navy: SENATER, CCAM, CPIA
EADS Defence & Security Systems,
with revenues of about € 5.4 billion in 2004 and roughly 23,000
employees across ten nations, forms the defence and security pillar
within EADS. It offers integrated systems solutions to the new
challenges confronting armed forces and homeland security units. It is
active in the areas of military aircraft, missile systems,
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems with manned
and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), battlefield management systems,
defence electronics, sensors and avionics, and related services. EADS
is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004,
EADS generated revenues of € 31.8 billion and employed a workforce of
about 110,000. Contact: www.eads.com
(Credits EADS Defence and Communications Systems)

The operational result is a daily production of a fire-risk map at
national scale with 232 meters spatial resolution, using LANDSAT
imagery for land cover cartography, ETM produced in a NASA Shuttle
mission, weather forecast based on MSG, and daily MODIS imagery for
NDVI calculation and automatic rapid burnt scar mapping.

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Critical Software was created in late 1998 as a software company.
Since its early days, working on remote sensing related projects was an
identified objective, and the opportunity came on 2001 when ESA awarded
Critical a contract for the development of PREMFIRE project.
Along with PREMFIRE, there are other
significant projects in which Critical is involved such as: COTEC’s
project (national project), NOD – Near Operational Demonstration (ESA)
and Euro Risk PREVIEW (EU) projects.

One of the most significant and recent one is COTEC’s project Following
2003 summer forest fires in Portugal, COTEC Portugal, Enterprise
Association for Development and Innovation, launched in 2004 a large
initiative, aiming to provide helping solutions to solve this dramatic
problem. From this initiative a two year project emerged with three
workgroups: (1) Benchmarking of forest fire prevention and combat
systems, (2) Support to forest fire prevention and combat information
systems, and (3) Forest surveillance, detection and alert on forest
fires.
Critical Software was invited to
coordinate the second workgroup, which is participated by some of the
most relevant Portuguese experts and research institutes with knowledge
in this field. National authorities also participate, namely, civil
protection (SNBPC) and the Directorate-General for Forest Resources
(DGRF), which play important roles on all phases of forest fire
emergency, from prevention through detection, extinction and damage
evaluation. In the scope of this project lead by Critical, three
different pilot zones representing Portuguese forest were defined.
Starting in 2004, three different products got operational: two
fire-risk map products, one of them structural (updated in 5 to 10 year
time frame), and another one, a dynamic fire-risk map, daily calculated
by PREMFIRE system; a fire behaviour tool was also installed on these
three pilots, the FIRESTATION system.
This project was the opportunity to further develop PREMFIRE’s
fire-risk tool. The operational result is a daily production of a
fire-risk map at national scale with 232 meters spatial resolution,
using LANDSAT imagery for land cover cartography, ETM produced in a
NASA Shuttle mission, weather forecast based on MSG, and daily MODIS
imagery for NDVI calculation and automatic rapid burnt scar mapping.

(Credits CriticalSoftware)

GMV has moved forward in its commitment to total quality by obtaining
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) level 3, as a result of a
rigorous evaluation performed at its premises.

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GMV has moved forward in its commitment to total quality by
obtaining Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) level 3, as a
result of a rigorous evaluation performed at its premises. The
objective of CMMI is the continuous improvement of the organization
processes capabilities. The CMMI model and its predecessor CMM
(Capability Maturity Model), developed by the Software Engineering
Institute, have been in place for fifteen years and are being adopted
by an increasing number of companies worldwide.
GMV has always been fully committed to
total quality management as a means to provide its customers the best
solutions and value added services. GMV’s Quality Management System was
built upon the requirements of the ISO 9001:2000 norm, for which it was
first certified back in 1997. GMV’s quality system also has specific
certifications such as the EN 9100:2003, for aerospace developments,
and the Spanish Pecal 110 and 150 certifications for defense
activities. Finally, GMV’s Environmental Management System is certified
under the ISO 14000 norm.
According to Jesús Serrano, GMV’s Managing
Director, “obtaining CMMI level 3 represents the culmination of a four
year planned process in which the whole organization has been involved.
Today we have more mature processes, we are able to predict the future
in a more accurate manner and we have got tools and metrics that are
helping us to improve the way we work. Our next step will be to evolve
to higher levels of maturity and to achieve CMMI level 5 within a three
to four years timeframe.”
(Credits GMV)

ESYS is a highly successful, independent strategic consultancy which
helps its customers to maximise the benefit they gain from the
application of new technology to their businesses. Founded in 1990,
ESYS has established a reputation for delivering rigorous and
innovative work in the space and defence sectors. ESYS has subsequently
extended its reach to develop a strong presence in the areas of media,
telecommunications, environment, education and research, and satellite
navigation, serving a wide variety of government institutional and
commercial customers in the UK and Europe.

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ESYS’ consultants offer skills in business analysis, market
strategy and policy and economic analysis based on an informed,
independent viewpoint. Operating across a wide range of application
domains and technologies enables us to offer our customers the benefit
of our wide experience. The cross fertilisation of knowledge and
experience across these sectors results in creative solutions to
complex problems.

ESYS in Earth Observation

Earth Observation consulting has been a
focus of ESYS’ business since the company’s formation. Over the past 15
years ESYS has supported the development of EO in Europe through a long
series of application development, market research and strategic
analysis projects. ESYS does not sell EO data or derived products and
so is able to offer a strictly independent view to our clients as well
as a non-competitive stance towards EO Value Added Resellers in the
community.

ESYS has been extremely successful in
engaging new users of EO data and forming relationships between these
users and the European institutions and commercial re-sellers that can
meet their needs. In particular ESYS pioneered links with humanitarian
relief NGOs and over the past three years has established EO data as a
day to day reference source for this community through the Reuters
Alertnet Website. ESYS has also worked in a similar fashion with the
insurance, risk management and agriculture sectors.

These targeted studies complement our
sector-wide experience gained through a series of industry and market
analyses conducted for individual countries and at a European scale.
The features below highlight ESYS current focus in supporting the case
for the GMES programme and also outline the other domains in which ESYS
is active.

Supporting investment in environmental monitoring

ESYS is leading the way in developing
robust justifications for public investment in environmental monitoring
systems incorporating earth observation. With over 10 years experience
in the field, ESYS is now focusing on Europe’s Global Monitoring for
Environment and Security (GMES) programme. Combining technological
understanding, an appreciation of user needs, and skills in policy and
economic analysis, ESYS is supporting ESA, the EC and the UK Government
in understanding how to maximise the benefits of GMES.

ESYS consultants are working on
microeconomic analysis of cost effectiveness together with high level
strategic and macroeconomic analysis to present the economic, social
and environmental benefits of the programme. The applications domains
we have studied in detail include:

  • sea ice and glacier monitoring

  • oil spill and algae bloom detection

  • ocean modelling and forecasting

  • climate change research and monitoring

  • crop monitoring for food security

  • rapid mapping for humanitarian aid

Through our experience of similar
assignments in other technology fields we employ tried and tested
methodologies and rigorous analysis, always based on solid evidence.
Our outputs are carefully tuned to support policy and decision making
at the highest levels of Government.

Telecommunications

ESYS
second core technology expertise from the start of the company was
satellite telecommunications. ESYS has maintained a leading position in
this field, offering system engineering, market analysis and business
development services. Recent projects include:

  • On-site procurement contract monitoring for the customer of a major telecommunications satellite system

  • Development of innovative multicast solutions for captive audience networks in the professional and medical communities

  • Business case and prototyping for mobile satellite
    communications systems delivering multimedia services into aircraft and
    trains

Education and Research

ESYS undertakes programme assessment, IT
implementation advice and strategic analysis for customers in the UK
and Europe. Recent projects include:

  • Evaluation of the UK Climate Impact Programme for the UK Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs

  • IST results service: marketing the results of the EC Information
    Society Technologies research programme through a variety of events and
    media

  • Scientific and management review of the UK Climate Research Programme (Hadley Centre)

Navigation

ESYS has been supporting Europe’s
navigation programme since its inception, helping to develop the
investment case in both the public and private sectors. Much of our
recent work offers strong synergies with our EO programmes, including
application development and practical demonstrations for awareness
raising for the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System
(EGNOS) and Galileo. Recent projects include:

  • Managing the implementation of five
    EGNOS demonstration events including aviation flight trials, ship
    navigation and train control in Africa

  • Cost Benefit Analysis and examination of future development options for EGNOS

  • Global market analysis for satellite navigation products and services

Defence

ESYS employs the methodologies and
technological experience developed in other domains to defence
technology programmes, including:

  • High level system engineering for the UK Ministry of Defence’s SKYNET 5 project
  • Cost Benefit Analysis for modernisation options for a reconnaissance system
  • Requirements analysis for the BOWMAN terrestrial communications system

Contact details
- Address: 1 Occam Court, Occam Road, Guildford GU2 7HJ
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 304545
- Fax: +44 (0)1483 303878
- Web: www.esys.co.uk
- Key contact: Jonathan Styles
- Email: jstyles@esys.co.uk
(Credits ESYS plc)

In this issue of EOMAG, EARSC will have the excellent opportunity of
including an interview with Mr. Robert Missotten – Chief of Earth
Observation Section.

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Mr Missotten could you please give us a summary of the UNESCO
involvement in GMES [Global Monitoring for Environment and Security]
and in GEOSS [Global Earth Observation System of Systems]?
Giving a background, the Group on Earth
Observations, GEO is the framework defining governmental needs, while
GEOSS is the implementation coming out of this political force. Mainly
GEOSS is an intergovernmental activity that leads to the global
establishment of environmental monitoring systems. In the other hand,
GMES is the European contribution to the GEOSS, delivering independent
European monitoring capabilities for the environment and for security,
not only from space but also from other airborne and in-situ
instruments. Every partner in GEOSS will deliver what it has and
develops and UNESCO being an active member of IGOS (Integrated Global
Observing Strategy) partnership will bring expertises together with
several programmes; Global Observing Systems focus on Climate (GCOS),
Ocean (GOOS), Terrestrial (GTOS) and Atmosphere (GAW) and the
experience in gained in Committee on EO satellite (CEOS) working
groups. Through its international and intergovernmental environment
programmes, the International Hydrological Programme (IHP), the Man and
Biosphere Programme (MAB), The International Geoscience Programme
(IGCP) and the work of its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
(IOC) UNESCO contributes essential expertise to GEOSS in the field of
the integrated monitoring and management of the Earth System and its
resources. Close cooperation with GMES is being built in the field of
the study of hazards of geological origin and the mitigation of
disasters
Which are the main differences between IGOS and GEOSS?
IGOS
follows an international agency approach which develops a strategic
planning process in order to achieve the necessary harmonization and
maximum cost-effectiveness for space and in situ observations, while
GEOSS is a country driven approach, definitively an important element
of national and global strategies for managing the natural resources in
a sustainable way.
Do you see new partnerships as a key to GEOSS?
During the third EO Summit in Brussels,
ministers from around the world endorsed a 10-year Implementation Plan
for the creation of GEOSS. That was very important because through
strong international and national cooperation, partners are poised to
build on and improve existing monitoring systems that will provide more
complete, accurate and accessible data and information to users and
decision-makers. UNESCO is looking forward to make use of its worldwide
educational, scientific, cultural and communication networks as well as
its high-level political and diplomatic contacts to strengthen new
partnership in GEOSS.
What are your
comments on the latest developments in the earth observation arena for
the service of the citizen? How will GMES and GEOSS be innovative in
the coming years meeting the expectations of the citizen?
Definitively GMES and GEOSS are
focused on the service of the citizen. Lots of achievements have been
done using Earth Observation but some of the key developments should be
improved and GEOSS will contribute to:
-the understanding, assessment, prediction, mitigation of disasters and adaptation to the climate variability and change,
-develop the capacity to improve weather forecasting and reduce loss of life and property from disasters,
-the understanding effect of environmental factors on human
health and well-being, and to protect and monitor ocean, water, energy
and land resources
GEOSS and GMES will not only advance our
knowledge through research, but more importantly stimulate the
emergence of new services to improve the quality of life of the
citizens.
In your opinion how industry could be involved in GEOSS as active partner?
The private sector could work in
partnership with government to contribute data to GEOSS. GEOSS being an
operational system, the private sector provides unparalleled technical
expertise to help guide the design and development of the system.
Industry will be a major user of the GEOSS capabilities and therefore,
must have the opportunity to determine new sector-specific requirements
(e.g., agriculture, transportation, management of natural hazards…)
Industry will be a major provider of new services with will be
beneficial to the civil society.
Are there any specific issues you find important for UNESCO addressing the GEOSS working groups?
Inside GEOSS, UNESCO is facilitating
activities that enhance international education, training, data
analysis and applications in EO techniques though a very specific
working group ….Industry must begin its planning and preparation to
ensure that their systems are consistent and personnel prepared to
capitalize on the opportunities that GEOSS will provide in the future.
UNESCO will contribute to a better understanding of the planet earth,
its environment and resources by stimulating an enhanced cooperation
between scientists and engineers of industrialized and developing
countries.
On EARSC behalf and personally I would like to thank you for time on this interview.
**
United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization, UNESCO functions
thanks to the synergy between diverse stakeholders that together form
an international community. These communities include governments,
National Commissions, Parliamentarians, NGOs and associations. Among
them we also find the media, schools, cultural and scientific
institutions, private sector partners and the United Nations family of
institutions. Interesting to EARSC is that
additional important partners to UNESCO are also the space agencies,
space research institutions and academia.
Together,
all these stakeholders give life to UNESCO‘s ideals and values around
the world, at the local, national and international level.