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WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud announced that metadata from the World Meteorological Organization Information System (WIS) will be made available through the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) from 13 July onwards.

This means that any data registered in the WIS will be automatically registered and thus accessible in GEOSS. This action responds to the commitment made by the World Meteorological Congress in 2007 “that the WIS, as a system with essential data exchange and data management services, would have to play a core role in the GEOSS as an essential WMO contribution with respect to weather, water and climate data and products.”

This new functionality complements the existing WIS capability for discovering GEOSS data and products via WIS. This capability is available at WMO’s Global Information and System Centres (GISCs – see “www.wmo.int/giscs2:http://www.wmo.int/giscs2).

-World Meteorological Organization

Framework service contract supporting the global land component of the GIO land service: JRC/IPR/2012/H.5/00014/OC

The European earth monitoring programme ‘Global monitoring for environment and security’ (GMES) hasentered its initial operational phase following adoption of the GMES initial operations programme 2011–2013.The global land component is earmarked as a component of the land service, one of the 2 GMES servicesidentified for operational implementation.

The purpose of this contract is to set up and operate the global land component GIO-GL.

It is organised in 2 lots:
lot 1: operation of the global land component
lot 2: product and service independent evaluation.

The primary users of this service are defined in the GMES 2012 annual work programme.
Type: Open Call
Institute/Directorate: IES

The Full set of documents for the Invitation To Tender (ITT) launched by DG JRC on behalf of DG ENTR for the implementation of the GMES Initial Operation Global Land component of the Land Service is available since 9th of July at the following address

  • Eye on Space
    Space Research projects under the 4th call of the 7th Framework Programme for Research.
  • Let’s embrace space (2011)
    Book with scientific papers on research results under the FP7 Space Programme.
    Order your copy of this book online from the EU bookshop
  • A European Journey
    Space research projects under the 7th Framework Programme for research.
  • Desire for space
    Space research projects under the 7th Framework Programme for research.
  • Space for a safer world
    Learn more about the projects that empower Europe to harvest the potential of space for a safer world.

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(25June2012) The Rio+20 summit on promoting jobs, clean energy and a more sustainable use of our planet’s resources closed after three days of talks. During the summit, the role of Earth observation in sustainable development was highlighted.

In 1992, a blueprint to rethink economic growth, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Now, 20 years later, the Rio+20 Summit brought participants from governments, the private sector, non-govermental organisations and other stakeholders once again to Brazil to evaluate the progress being made.

During a side event organised by ESA, the significance of observing Earth from space came into focus, in particular how it improves the assessment and the monitoring of essential climate change, biodiversity and land degradation variables.

Earth-observing satellites allow for efficient, reliable and affordable monitoring of our planet from global to local scales. In many cases, it is the only way to obtain trend information on essential environmental variables.

The large volume of data acquired from over 30 years of satellite observations gives scientists a unique and detailed view of the changing physical characteristics of the Earth surface, sampled at a rate impossible to obtain with only in-situ observations.

The strong contributions that space observations can bring to environmental monitoring have now been recognised by the Rio Convention bodies: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

ESA began collaborations with these Rio Conventions 10 years ago.

For example, satellite data at national and local scales help the implementation of UNFCCC protocols and assist the Contracting Parties in their reporting duties.

The CBD develops national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Earth-observing satellites are seen as promising instruments for the systematic observations of essential biodiversity variables such as ecosystems status and trends.

The UNCCD is the centrepiece in the international community’s efforts to combat desertification and land degradation in drylands. The Convention is currently developing a monitoring and assessment process of the world’s drylands, where satellite observations will play a key role.

During the side event, representatives from all three Conventions reiterated that the collection of Earth observation data needs to be sustained.

ESA plans to continue to provide operational data delivery to these Conventions as well as for many other applications with the upcoming Sentinel family of satellites being developed under Europe’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme.

At the conclusion of the summit, the Rio+20 Declaration stressed the need for the continuation of a regular review of the state of Earth’s changing environment, as well as access to reliable, relevant and timely data in areas related to sustainable development.

It also recognised the relevance of global mapping and recognise the efforts in developing global environmental observing systems.

Rio+20 saw additional side events on Earth observation organised by the Group on Earth Observations, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs.

Source Spacedaily

(29June2012) While industrial partners build the first Sentinel satellites, experts at ESA are developing and testing vital mission control systems for engineers to operate the craft once in orbit.

The Sentinels will contribute to the operational needs of the European Commission’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme.

As the most ambitious Earth observation programme to date, GMES will provide accurate, timely and easily accessible information to improve environmental management, understand and mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure civil security.

A mission, however, requires more than just building and launching satellites. For the mission operations teams at ESOC, ESA’s European Space Operations Centre, it also means developing the hardware, software, networks and other resources on the ground to operate the satellite, referred to as the ‘ground segment’ or ‘flight operations segment’.

Since 2011, an expert team has been working at ESOC to assemble, configure and test the Sentinel-2 mission control system.

Sentinel-2 consists of two satellites providing high-resolution optical imaging for land users and emergency services. The first one is due for launch in 2013.

Engineers will use the mission control system to ‘talk’ to the Sentinel-2 satellites in orbit using the 15 m-diameter Estrack ground station at Kiruna, Sweden, amongst others.

Mission controllers will send commands and receive telemetry indicating the status and health of the onboard systems, such as power, computers and orientation.

In March, the team achieved a crucial milestone when, for the first time, they connected the mission control systems at ESOC to an engineering model of the first of the pair of satellites sitting in a test room at Astrium, the manufacturer, in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

The two-day initial ‘system validation test’ enabled engineers to verify that onboard software is running as expected and to start testing flight procedures.

“The test was a huge challenge, because it took place earlier than normal and without the availability of a simulator to test procedures,” says Franco Marchese, Sentinel-2 operations manager.

“Its success means we can continue building up the ground systems. The mission control system is similar for all three Sentinel satellite pairs, so this test was important.”

The Sentinel-2 satellites are being built by Astrium, the Sentinel-1 satellites by Thales Alenia Space (Italy) and the Sentinel-3 satellites by Thales Alenia Space (France).

“More similar system validation tests will occur later this year and in 2013, with ESOC teams connecting their mission control systems to engineering and flight models of the satellites in Germany, Rome and Cannes,” says Juan Piñeiro, ESA’s Sentinels Ground Segment Manager.

“Tests for the A-satellite for Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-1 will take place this month and in August, respectively, while the initial system validation test for the Sentinel-2 B-satellite will take place in October.”

Like all missions operated by ESA, specialists from other teams, including Flight Dynamics, Ground Facilities and Software Support, will support Sentinel operations on a daily basis.

“Long, diligent work is required behind the scenes to get everything ready for launch – and the resources necessary to operate missions for years in orbit and exploit the missions’ valuable data must be fully established,” says Manfred Warhaut, ESA’s Head of Mission Operations.

”As Europe’s top space research and development organisation, ESA has unique expertise in developing infrastructure on the ground, operating the flight segment – and in fostering teamwork that helps missions succeed.”

Source ESA

13 April 2012, Geneva, Switzerland – The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) reached another milestone today as the second generation of its Satellite Mapping Coordination System (SMCS) was officially launched. GDACS is a cooperation framework for natural disaster alerts operating under the umbrella of the United Nations.

It includes disaster managers and disaster information systems worldwide and aims at coordination information and filling gaps in the first phases after a major disaster. To do this, GDACS provides real-time access to web-based disaster information systems and useful coordination tools. The Satellite Mapping Coordination System, or SMCS, of GDACS is a tool for GIS-experts working with satellite imagery for specific events. It allows experts to see which images are collected where and which entity is working on what type of analysis. This facilitates a horizontal coordination links as opposed to time consuming top-down models and effectively reduces duplication of efforts and the pushing of low value maps to the use community. In addition to being an operational coordination tool for satellite image analysis professionals, SMCS is also a metadata archive for past events, and a discussion forum.

Full article

Other news

UNOSAT/Esri Conference on GIS gathers over 100 organizations in Geneva

3-4 April 2012, Geneva, Switzerland – More than 200 attendees representing over 100 entities from the United Nations, academic fields, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector participated in the “GIS for the United Nations and the International Community” conference held in on 3-4 April the World Meteorological Organization headquarters in Geneva. The conference opened with a keynote from Ambassador Betty E. King, permanent representative of the United States to the United Nations Office in Geneva. Ambassador King, who was welcomed on the podium by UNOSAT Manager Francesco Pisano, spoke on the role of technology and information as a transformative tool empowering local actors to address global challenges and development opportunities. “On behalf of the US government and President Obama, I applaud your use of technology in your work,” stated Ambassador King. “The world’s current resources are insufficient to address all the major global development and humanitarian crises that we face. Through the use of science and technology, including innovative uses of GIS applications, we can become more effective and efficient in this endeavour and stretch the power of limited resources.”

Full article

UN Chief IT Officer visits UNOSAT

23 March 2012, Geneva, Switzerland – United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Choi Soon-hong visited the UNOSAT operational site at CERN and held discussions with UNOSAT Manager Francesco Pisano and his staff on Friday 23 March as part of his visit to several Geneva-based UN offices and agencies. Dr Choi is the UN Chief IT Officer, in charge of all matters relating to the use of information and communications technology at the UN Secretariat. In this capacity, he leads the Office of Information and Communications Technology of the UN Secretariat, which provides enterprise-wide oversight of ICT programmes, budgets and decision-making – to ensure alignment with the Secretariat’s overall ICT strategy, in support of the mission of the United Nations. The visit followed up in a series of high level contacts and technical exchanges between OICT and UNOSAT since 2010.

Full article

Master Students leave UNOSAT with GIS tools for disaster management

21 March 2012, Geneva, Switzerland – The Master in Disaster Management, created by the Universities of Copenhagen and Lund (Sweden), has the objective to provide national and international aid workers, government officials and other professionals interested in any or all parts of disaster management with a solid holistic interdisciplinary background so that they can respect and understand the complex context of acting and working before, during and after a disaster. To join, students must possess at least two years of professional working experience. UNOSAT has elaborated the contents of its GIS course into an intensive set of modules tailored to fit the requirements of this particular audience. Geo Information in Disaster Situations is based on a successful formula combining formal training and knowledge transfer directly from UNOSAT experts and analysts.

Full article

Check out UNOSAT’s work through these means as well:
iPad app: itunes.apple.com/us/app/unosat/id495667261?mt=8%20
RSS latest maps
UNOSAT Podcasts
Twitter
UNITAR Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT)
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel. +41 22 767 4020 / Mobile: +41 76 487 4998 (UNOSAT hotline)
Email: unosat@unitar.org / Website: www.unitar.org/unosat

The 2013 draft edition of the FP7 Work Programme (Theme 9: Space) is hereby made public at an early stage in the adoption of process.

The draft paper is available below and also on the Participants’ Portal in order to provide potential applicant with the currently expected main lines to prepare their proposals. This also ensures that “smaller players” are not left behind.

The work programme 2013 aligns with the objectives of Europe2020 and the Innovation Union Flagship in the way it fosters new ideas, supports world-class teams tackling significant societal challenges. The WP provides also for smooth transition to towards Horizon 2020 thus bridging to the new Research and Innovation Programme for 2014-2020.

This working document has not yet been endorsed by the European Commission. Indicative budgetary information have been removed and the content does not in any way prejudge further modifications, the subsequent formal opinion of the Programme Committee (Member States) nor the Commission’s future decision.

More info at

The initiative “Tech All Stars” was one idea proposed at Digital Agenda Assembly 2011 by the participants and it is now a reality.

Tech All Stars connects twelve of the best web entrepreneurs from accelerators and web camp competitions across Europe with top EU funding sources, successful entrepreneurs, and hot networking opportunities. Tech All Stars is THE event for Europe’s best and brightest startups.

Tech All Stars is organized by the European Commission Information Society and Media and will be held in June 20th – 21st 2012 in London. The winner will also be invited to the Digital Agenda Assembly plenary on June 22nd in Brussels.

Startups must apply for a spot at Tech All Stars. 12 of the best startups will be selected to participate.

We are looking for tech startups that are registered within the EU and are ready to change the world! There are a few criteria that you must meet to participate:
Your startup is:
•registered within the EU
•less than 3 years old
•has raised less than 1,000,000 Euros in external capital

Tech All Stars is reserved for accelerator graduates and web camp winners. However, we’re also taking ‘wildcards’. Wildcards are hot tech startups that may not have gone through an accelerator or web camp, but have a FANTASTIC startup anyway. We want to give everyone a chance at glory!

Why are we doing this?

We want to foster an environment of growth for startups in the EU. Tech All Stars increases visibility for startups in the European market and provides a forum for presenting startup ideas to angel investors, top executives, mentors, and VCs. We’re looking for tomorrow’s startup superstars within the EU tech community. Tech All Stars is a good opportunity to engage with new startups that are working on innovative technologies.

Check it out at

(22 March 2012) The second Continuous Development and Operations Phase (CDOP-2) for Eumetsat’s Satellite Application Facility (SAF) network which began this month will improve and expand the portfolio of SAF products and services over the next five years.

CDOP-2 follows the successful CDOP-1 over the last five years, during which the eight SAFs developed high-quality products and distributed them to users, benefitting Eumetsat Member and Cooperating States and a worldwide user community.

Among the achievements of the entire SAF network, the following examples can be highlighted: the SAF on Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP SAF) and SAF on Radio-Occultation Meteorology (ROM SAF) have developed software for users and NWP centres, allowing the assimilation of satellite data products to support improvements in forecasts. The SAF on Climate Monitoring (CM SAF), as well as the SAF on Ocean and Sea Ice (OSI SAF) and the SAF on Ozone and Atmospheric Chemistry Monitoring (O3M SAF) have generated long-term homogeneous time series to support the analysis of climate variability over the past decades. The SAF on Support to Nowcasting and Very Short Range Forecasting (NWC SAF) and the SAF on Support to Operational Hydrology and Water Management (H SAF) have developed software packages and data products with high relevance for forecasting weather and its impact on the hydrological system, which are helpful in particular in severe meteorological situations. Finally, the SAF on Land Surface Analysis (LSA SAF) has developed products and services related to vegetation and land surface parameters, not only for users in Europe, but also in Africa and South America.

During CDOP-2, the eight SAFs will continue the operation and data products developed during CDOP-1 and will also conduct the necessary improvements. In addition, new products will respond to the evolving needs of the European Meteorological Services and other users.

As the SAFs are an integral component of the overall Eumetsat application ground segment, during CDOP-2, they will prepare for the exploitation of the potential of the next generation of Eumetsat satellites, Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) and the Eumetsat Polar System Second Generation (EPS-SG), taking advantage of enhanced and completely new sensors. They will begin the scientific definition and development of MTG and EPS-SG products, work which will be finalised during CDOP-3 between 2017 and 2022, when these satellites become operational.

CDOP-2 activities and the expansion of product portfolios will contribute to relevant international initiatives. This includes Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES), the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) and the World Meteorological Organization’s Sustained, Coordinated Processing of Environmental Satellite Data for Climate Monitoring (SCOPE-CM) initiative.

About Eumetsat

The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites is an intergovernmental organisation based in Darmstadt, Germany, currently with 27 European Member States (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia (pending ratification), Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom) and four Cooperating States (Bulgaria, Iceland, Lithuania, and Serbia).

Eumetsat operates the geostationary satellites Meteosat-8 and -9 over Europe and Africa, and Meteosat-7 over the Indian Ocean.

Metop-A, the first European polar-orbiting meteorological satellite, was launched in October 2006 and has been delivering operational data since 15 May 2007.

The Jason-2 ocean altimetry satellite, launched on 20 June 2008, added monitoring of sea state, ocean currents and sea level change to the missions Eumetsat conducts.

The data and products from Eumetsat’s satellites are vital to weather forecasting and make a significant contribution to the monitoring of environment and the global climate.

(source: Eumetsat)