The first Earth Observation Industry Symposium was held on February 2005 co organized by EARSC (European Association of Remote Sensing Companies) and EUROSPACE (Association of European Space Industry) under the umbrella of the European Union as a part of its first Earth and Space Week.
The Summit was a success due to the active participation of representatives and delegates from space agencies, international organizations (governmental and non governmental alike) and industry from a very large number of countries, thus setting the scene to foster European and International collaboration into getting Earth Observation views and perspectives. The summit included a variety of topics on advances in Global Monitoring of Environment and Security (GMES) Services, opportunities for business in high tech industry or commercial applications. A real success for our aim, Industry views putting openly and friendly on the Institutional table Space at the service of the citizen.
The timing is particularly appropriate for European Industry to gather and ambitiously present and discuss the way forward, considering the deployment of innovative new systems for Earth Observation in the framework of GMES, of advanced capabilities for new services, in particular through the emerging GALILEO and broadband Telecommunications, as well as contemplating inspiring successes and projects in Planetary exploration. The Summit was an excellent occasion to affirm and recognize the necessity to increase the synergies between all actors of the domain and follow up recommendation and conclusions to improve Industry views on Earth Observation Global programmes.
GMES is on its way
- Convergence of views between institutions and industry
- Many Pre-operational and operational services presented
- Service providers enthusiastic to further develop solutions to satisfy users
- Infrastructure widely utilised and deemed highly useful
- Capability exists in Europe to provide policy makers with the right environmental data to comply with the environmental protocols (Kyoto,…)
Overall approach
- Services now mean convergence (combination of Telecommunications with positioning and Earth Observation from all sensors).
- Need a system architecture able to accommodate and harmonize past data, present systems and future systems
- Industry as a bridge between civil and defence applications (dual technology along the chain), as well as between the various, still fragmented users communities
- Earth Observation industry as a bridge to other industrial sectors (energy, agriculture, transportation,..)
Recommend structuring of EO activities
- Create a comprehensive platform for applications development (standards/ interoperability)
- Public entities define requirements and develop infrastructure, Private entities define and deliver solutions and services.
- Increase awareness among public and private entities of the potential of new GMES-based services.
- Foster international links, in particular at industry levels: EARSC, EUROSPACE and ALLIANCE recommend setting up a joint industrial working group and organising annual GEOSS industrial events together.
Recommend preservation and development of assets
- Human resources: Space Industry is relevant to the “Lisbon” objectives. Europe must maintain and develop its highly competent and high value work force
- Space Industry has the capability to offer highly motivating jobs and contribute to stopping the brain drain from Europe
- European institutions must maintain and further develop Earth Observation critical technologies
- Data resources: Continuity of data flow from all operational/pre-operational sensors must be insured
GMES financial considerations
- To reach the final ideal status where users pay for 100% of the needed service, there must be a transition period when institutions must provide substantial support (financing of infrastructure set up and service development)
- Firm decisions on implementing GMES program must be taken by EC/ESA in the frame of establishing a European Space Policy
- Budgets required by GMES (relatively small compared to other infrastructure budgets) should be sized considering the cost of natural disasters in terms of lives and economy as well as the cost of Earth Environment deterioration
Conclusions
- The GMES community welcomes the new GMES owner in the Commission (DG Ent.)
- GMES must go ahead as a grand, coherent, well structured European programme (including budget and programmatics)
- Industry is able to develop all the needed GMES elements, all along the value chain from infrastructure development to service provision
- Industry stands ready to be an active partner of EC, ESA, and member states in GMES and is looking forward to high level decisions
For more information please contact:
Paul Kamoun (EARSC Chairman),
Alain Gaubert (EUROSPACE Secr. General)