Skip to content

A meeting has been organised between EARSC and Japan Space Systems in Brussels last 26th November.

The objective was to hold an exchange between EARSC and the organisation which is representing the Japanese industry to develop a closer understanding of the nature of the respective stakeholders and major programmes as well as the industry and to explore where there may be possible opportunities to work together.

There was a good exchange between both organisations with a number of possible opportunities identified for possible further co-operation. EARSC has been invited to present to a large meeting of Japanese stakeholders next February.


JSS and EARESC representatives ©JSS

EARSC launched a call for companies to test the Management Scheme System Documents. The call for proposals was closed in mid-November with more responses received than can be funded.

Three successful companies have been contacted by our certification expert, Peter Hollidge to follow the necessary steps in 2014 to implement the EARSC quality scheme and discussions are continuing to include a 4th company.

For the selected company wanting to develop a QMS and to be certified, those steps will include
i) a training on ISO9001 and its implementation,
ii) a briefing on the EARSC Guidance documentation and
iii) its implementation and assessment of the systems in place and the identification of the documentation that will be required.

While for the companies who already have the certification, the steps will cover aspects as
i) Training and Briefing on the requirements of the EARSC Scheme and approach to implementation for the Quality Manager and other key staff
ii) Supporting the organisation as needed in the review of the Guideline with respect to its implementation in the company
iii) Reviewing the results of any certification body assessment and
iv) Discussion with the company of comments and conclusions with respect to scheme documentation.

We plan to organise a 2nd certification workshop in the second half of 2014.

EARSC has prepared a brief guide to the EU Horizon 2020 research programme from a perspective of suppliers and researchers in the domain of EO Geo-information Services.


Download the EARSC Guide to H2020

Meanwhile, EARSC is working in a Research Coffee Area at the portal, where members will be able to find information, partners, ideas – for developing your research project proposal. We are in the developing phase but we would like to open it broadly in the coming month.

“Find documents in the library, post announcements on the message wall, chat to other people in the lounge, learn in the lecture theatre and when you are ready to develop your proposal further you can book a meeting room where you can discuss in more detail away from everyone else. Look out also for announcements from the coffee bar manager from his soapbox!”

We should open it very soon!.

first ogeo magazine has been launched

With the new version of the OGEO portal we would like to start a quarterly e-news: …. our OGEOzine …. and provide some concise info, links to recent events or news and act as reminder how Earth Observation can be used in the Oil and Gas industry.

OGEOzine (n.1).pdf

Geoff Sawyer, EARSC Secretary General has discussed the link between Earth observation and international development.

The interview of Geoff Sawyer at the ESA TV following the series of ESA Interviews on International Development Banks could be found at the link.

EARSC as the trade association representing the sector has already developed excellent links with ESA and we consider that this relationship could be the platform from which to build Europe’s position in developing countries. By tackling the IFI’s as a first step we can establish the local links from which to build sound future business….

Introduction / Summary

The EO services industry is a supplier of key geo-information products and services based on the use of satellite data. With the launch of the Copernicus programme and the first Sentinel approaching, Europe has an excellent opportunity to lever its investments such that industry can grow in the global market. R&D investments in EO services have been made in the past by both ESA and the EC through the framework programme as well as national programmes. A significant problem with the FP is the gap between research activities, which through its rules often favours public and academic organisations and the exploitation of the research results in the commercial sector. The ESA EOMD has helped in this respect and this approach needs to be taken further if the Copernicus potential is to be realised.

The close relationship between EO services and national interests means that industry cannot succeed alone. Over the last few years, ESA and EARSC have worked together with some promising signs of potential for success. This can be extended through a new initiative linking the institutional relationships that ESA can develop to the strength and capabilities of the industry. Coupled with the support of the EC and of Member States (MS), the EO services industry in Europe can establish a strong, leading position in the world market

EARSC position paper could be found at the following link

EARSC EO Industry Certification Scheme. Document Requirements Definition for Earth Observation Product Specifications

EARSC is pleased to provide the link for the first EARSC guideline document (Document Requirements Definition for Earth Observation Product Specifications). This document has been distributed and agreed by EARSC members.

The purpose of this document is to enable organisations generating Earth Observation Product Specifications to produce documents of common content. This is designed to:

  • Provide a common format for Product Specifications across the industry, enabling customers to request a common format across bidders and reduce the effort on the part of suppliers in producing ‘bespoke’ specifications for each customer
  • Ease the process of Product Certification for both the Organisation and the Certification Body.

EARSC Product Specification DRD guideline v1.0
bq. Please contact EARSC if you need further information.

After the EARSC certification workshop in April it was agreed to evaluate the certification scheme which has been developed between P. Hollidge and the EARSC Industrial Best Practice Working Group.

EARSC is now launching a call for companies (ONLY EARSC Members) to participate and to test the scheme. It is your opportunity to have the support of EARSC and to work with a certification body supported by ESA. As a result we shall evaluate the scheme and make revisions depending on the experience of those concerned.

As previously announced, we plan to test the implementation of the quality scheme with three types of companies; three “cases:

  • A company with an existing certified QMS
  • A company wanting to develop a QMS and to be certified
  • A small company that does not require a full QMS but sees benefit in the implementation of the guidelines

Please request the description of the call and the evaluation criteria which shall be used in making the selection of companies.

Proposals to join the scheme should be received by EARSC before midnight (CET) 15th November.

We look forward to receiving EARSC members proposal. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information.

We are very pleased to be able to share with you the results coming from the survey we conducted into the state and health of the European EO services industry. To all those who participated, we would like to thank you for your time and effort. The brochure and the full report can be downloaded at www.earsc.org

EARSC has conducted a survey into the state and health of the European EO services industry. The executive summary document containing the principal industry statistics, which have also been prepared as a brochure, is available to download at the following link

The survey was conducted between November 2012 and April 2013. A total of 365 companies were contacted with useful responses coming from 133 of them via an on-line questionnaire which was focused on financial and numerical data.

The responses show that the EO services industry is employing over 5000 highly skilled staff and turns over some 750m Euro per annum. These and many more results are explained in the documents. This brochure is a summary of the survey results; this and the full report can be downloaded at http://earsc.org/eonotes/earsc-activities-news

Download the brochure
Full Report
For more information on the survey, please write to: secretariat@earsc.org

EARSC is a non-profit-making organisation created in 1989 with the mission to foster the development of European Geo-Information Service Industry. Our main objective is to stimulate a sustainable market for geo-information services using EO data. Today, EARSC has about 65 members in more than 20 countries, and is a recognized association both in Europe and worldwide.

EARSC represents the European providers of geo-information services creating a network between industry, decision-makers and users. We consider that the market is at a crucial stage of development as Earth observation becomes more frequently used by society and adds positive value to our daily lives. Nevertheless, there are many issues, opportunities and threats facing industrial actors and, through a small secretariat, EARSC informs and involves its members though its website and newsletters, through the provision of web-tools, as well as organizing events.

Members tell us that they appreciate the opportunity to network with other similar companies and that this helps them develop new business opportunities as well as exchanging on best practices. They also like the regular flow of information as well as the knowledge that EARSC is able to influence EU and ESA policy when it is important for the sector.

The acceptance of new members has to be approved at the Board of Directors. The documents needed are:
1) signed pdf letter quoting an agreement with EARSC status, company interest in the Association, and a brief description of your company activities and
2) common EARSC Template (please request to secretariat_at_earsc.org)

More information on EARSC including how to join could be found at our website (www.earsc.org). Here you can subscribe to eomag if you do not already receive it and learn more about what EARSC is doing.