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Category: EARSC Activities

EARSC Board is glad to welcome three new Companies in our Association.

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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 new members at:
EARSC membership represents the entire spectrum of the Earth Observation industry including all sector chain: providers, stakeholders and users. Membership of EARSC is currently 500 Euros per annum. 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
Full 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.
(Source EARSC)

EARSC Symposium: Brussels, May 31st, 2007
“In-situ monitoring and Earth observation in the framework of GMES and GEOSS”

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Earth Monitoring 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, to the setup of new partnership, such as the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and the European GMES initiative (Global Monitoring of Environment and Security), and to develop synergies between available capabilities internationally. 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. This encompasses in-situ, airborne and spaceborne sensor deployment, ground infrastructures and data processing, value added data production and interpretation, up to extending 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 the availability of multiple operational 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 use of both in-situ and remote sensing techniques. While those approaches are operationally very different, they have each an essential role to play in any serious plan to monitor a site, a region, a country or the Earth as a whole. Unfortunately this synergy is neither yet realised nor fully appreciated, 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 workshop 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 those techniques and their exploitation 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, 2007, Brussels
Sponsors: Industry and Space Agencies
Sponsorship fee for Industry – 500 Euros
Tentative Programme
PROGRAMME
MORNING: 9h – 13h
1. Sensors and sensors integration
a. Architectures: OSIRIS
b. Automated applications
c. Technologies
d. Sensor web SANI
e. R&D and Standards
f. Transition technologies: ad hoc networks, proxy sensors INTERRISK
2. Implementation
a. In-situ
b. Mobile
c. Airborne
d. High Altitude
e. Read out
f. Examples
i. Tsunami
ii. Nuclear
iii. Oceanography
iv. Air/Water Pollution
AFTERNOON: 14h – 17h
3. Data Policy
4. Integration of in-situ, space and other sensors
a. Meteorology and air pollution
b. Meteorology and oceanography
c. Other applications: water management, risk management,…
5. ROUND TABLE: ”Technology Roadmap: what’s next”

ESA EO Development and Exploitation Programmes must continue to respond to the issues faced by the European EO Service Industry.

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To ensure this, it is essential that ESA has access to up to date and accurate information on the state and health of the European and Canadian EO service industry and the issues that the industry is facing in the short and medium term.
In 2004, ESA ran a contract to analyse the state and health of the European (and Canadian) EO Service Industry led by the UK company, Vega. This covered the evolution of the industry over the 3 year period 2000 to 2002. The results of this study fed directly into the programme of work and contracts issued under the EO Market Development Programme for the following years.
Since this period, the industry has been exposed to significant change drivers – for example, the evolution of GMES, new European and national legislation such as the Inspire directive and an increase in the number and performance capabilities of EO satellites. ESA has therefore kicked off a follow-on contract to characterise how the EO service industry has evolved since 2002 and the extent to which issues faced by the industry have changed or been addressed.
As in the original study, the work will be led by Vega and the core analysis will be based on information gathered from the industry. Initial work has started to prepare the information gathering exercise which will be leaner and easier to complete than the questionnaires set up under the original study. It is planned to start gathering information in early March using a secure web tool and continue for a period of approximately six weeks.
The accuracy of the information collected and the extent to which it represents a comprehensive sample of the EO Service Industry is critical. It is intended to elaborate future EOMD workplans based on the findings and conclusions from this analysis. In addition, discussions such as the role of industry within European developments (eg GMES) must be informed by timely and accurate information. Without this, the value and impact that ESA programmes can generate for the industry as a whole and for individual companies is at risk. Clearly, the strong support of both EARSC and the EO Service Industry for this analysis is an important factor in ensuring the continued success and impact of ESA EO Exploitation Programmes.
(Source ESA-EOMD)

EOvox project: an opportunity for companies to voice their viewpoint on the EO service Industry

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Information on the project reports. Main results from this activity can be found at www.eovox.org
Industry is invited to review and comment upon these reports, and in particular to respond to the “Open Issues” presented at the end of the reports.

The links below provide access to all of the slides and other materials presented at the workshop, plus slides capturing the key feedback received at each session of the workshop.

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Opening
Session 1: The VA Services Industry: Significance and New Trends
Session 2: EO Industry Expectations from its Trade Association
Part 1: eoVox initial analysis and findings – presentation by B. Holt Andersen, ControlWare)
Part 2: Scope of representation – presentation by J. Hartnor, Metria
Part 3: New benefits from a European trade association – presentation by M. Stuttard, Chairman of BARSC
EOPAGES Prototype (Link to online version)
Session 3: Working Groups
Feedback received from the three working groups
Session 4: Road Map for the future
Presentation by P. Kamoun, EARSC
Information on the Open review Process
(Source eoVox)

EARSC Board is glad to welcome four new Companies in our Association.

Published on
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 new members at:
1. BARCO Belgium – http://www.barco.com
2. CLS (Collecte Localisation Satellites) – http://www.cls.fr
4. Kayser-Threde GMBH – http://www.kayser-threde.com
EARSC membership represents the entire spectrum of the Earth Observation industry including all sector chain: providers, stakeholders and users. Membership of EARSC is currently 400 Euros per annum. 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 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 than 120 representatives of the European and Canadian EO value-adding sector took part in the ‘eoVox Stakeholders Consultation Workshop’ held on 14 September at ESRIN, ESA’s Centre for Earth Observation in Italy.

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The workshop focused on the status and future of the Earth observation value-adding (EO VA) industry. It was organised by the eoVox Consortium which includes the European trade body for the industry – European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC). The eoVox Consortium was initiated by ESA to explore common issues affecting the Earth Observation (EO) service industry sector in Europe and Canada.
At present, some 250 (mostly small) companies are involved in the EO VA sector processing raw and semi-processed data from remote sensing instruments, and converting these into commercially useful information for end users.
The European sector employs about 2900 people and generates an estimated turnover of around €300 million, an amount that is growing annually at a rate of 6%.
Companies in this sector operate in a diverse range of land and ocean applications including agriculture, cartography, environmental monitoring, marine surveillance, ice mapping and monitoring of hazards both on land and sea (e.g. floods, fires, oil spills).
The eoVox workshop attracted a wide range of participants including representatives from many EO value-adding companies; potential customers of EO services such as AMEC (civil engineering), Shell (oil and gas), Microsoft (Virtual Earth), and a number of national EO trade organisations within Europe.
Conley-AMEC (left),Shaw-Shell Oil & Kamoun-EARSC
The prime objective of the workshop was to discuss a new industry Position Paper presenting the combined needs of the industrial sector and addressing the question: What should the public sector do to incubate the EO value-adding sector, and Why?
This paper is a first attempt to synthesise the risks and challenges that the EO VA sector faces and chart a commonly endorsed road map for the industry covering the next 10 years which identifies development actions for public funding to help the sector grow and strengthen.
Presentations at the workshop covered the key aspects of the EO services industry – significance and new trends and EO industry expectations from its trade association.
Participants were encouraged to voice their different opinions during splinter meetings on three important issues:
• GMES and GEOSS: is it going to help or hinder the EO service industry?
• Making the most of research and development (R&D) and new technologies,
• Can EO industry work together to expand the downstream commercial market?
The workshop ended with the presentation of an item that the industry considers urgent; a one-page declaration on behalf of the industry to the EC lobbying for firm commitment of resources in the short to mid term (2006-2010) for key activities such as Global Monitoring of the Environment & Security (GMES), where the EO services industry can deliver benefits.
The eoVox Position Paper is now undergoing an open review process in which all those associated with the EO service industry in Europe and Canada are invited to participate. All comments and feedback should be sent to the eoVox Consortium by mid-October for the paper to be finalised by end-October, prior to being presented to the EC and ESA.
eoVox stakeholders consultation workshop
More information (including the Position Paper and the workshop presentations) can be found at the eoVox website.
(Source ESA)
Interest links

EARSC Board is glad to welcome nine new Companies in our Association.
Published on
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 new members at:
Brockmann Consult (Germany)

C-CORE (Canada, Observer)
Eurosense EOOD (Bulgaria, Observer)
OHB-system AG (Germany)
Starlab (Spain)
VISTA GmbH (Germany)
MEMBERSHIP
EARSC
membership represents the entire spectrum of the Earth Observation
industry including all sector chain: providers, stakeholders and users.
Membership of EARSC is currently 400 Euros per annum. 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
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

The eoVox Consortium is pleased to announce a one-day workshop dedicated to the common interests of the Earth Observation value adding industry. The workshop will be held under the auspices of ESA/ESRIN on 14 September 2006 in Frascati, Italy

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What is eoVox?
Following on from a survey conducted by ESA on the European and Canadian EO service industry, ESA has initiated a number of activities to further explore issues that affect the complete EO service sector; eoVox is one of these activities.
eoVox aims to gather views and comments from all companies within the industry and investigate how their common interests can be best represented via an industrial trade association.
eoVox is therefore an opportunity for all companies to voice their viewpoints on how the Earth observation value adding industry should be shaped. The eoVox study will use the information gathered to help define the public funding required to incubate the industry as a whole.
The results will be looked at carefully by ESA in planning for the period 2008-13 to make sure that the needs of the industry are supported at the right scale, with the right mechanisms and of adequate duration. This is your opportunity to influence this process, by ensuring that your views and needs are heard.
About the Workshop
The eoVox Consortium is pleased to announce a FREE one-day workshopdedicated to the common interests of the Earth Observation value adding industry. The workshop will be held at ESA’s ESRIN site in Frascati (near Rome), Italy on 14 September 2006.
The workshop will be an excellent opportunity to capture the views of all stakeholders in the future of the Earth observation value-adding industry in Europe and Canada.
During the day presentations will be given based on the material produced during the study, with “open forum” sessions to capture a wide range of perspectives on the presented material. The workshop will be structured to ensure that the views of participants can be clearly and freely expressed.
The consortium is creating working documents – to be made public in advance of the workshop – that will provide the initial starting point for the debate. Brief presentations of the study’s findings will be used to prompt input, discussion and debate from the delegates. Book your place now, to have your say.
“Helping the EO service sector define its development needs and set an agenda for public support”
The eoVox Team
The eoVox consortium is led by LogicaCMG UK Ltd. as prime contractor, and includes EARSC (the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies), the Swedish value-adding company Metria, the Canadian value-adding company C-CORE, and consultants ControlWare from Belgium and ESYS from the UK.
How to Register
Please send your details to us indicating your relationship with the EO VA industry.
-By email: Simply email your details to eovox@earsc.org
-By telephone: Please call the EARSC Secretariat on +34 639 584 684
More information can be found at http://www.eovox.org.

The eoVox Consortium is pleased to announce a one-day workshop dedicated to the common interests of the Earth Observation value adding industry. The workshop will be held under the auspices of ESA/ESRIN on 14 September 2006 in Frascati, Italy.

Published on
The workshop is an excellent opportunity to capture the views of all stakeholders in the future of the value-added industry in Europe and Canada.
During the day various informative presentations will be offered based on the material produced during the study. The workshop will be structured to ensure that the views of participants can be clearly expressed. The consortium is creating working documents – to be made public in advance of the workshop – that will provide the initial starting point for the debate.
An expression of interest will be appreciated in order to have a good estimate of the number of attendees. Please send your details to eovox@earsc.org
More up to date info at www.eovox.org