One of Europe’s flagship programmes after Galileo, GMES will create an EU-wide capability to acquire, analyse, process and distribute information in support of European environment and security directives.
From 2008, GMES will provide services based on data from satellites and a range of in-situ sensors including seismographs, water analysers and air analysers to improve Europe’s environment and, in turn, the quality of life for its citizens.
With a total budget of €11 million, the OSIRIS* project calls for the definition, development and testing of an integrated real-time surveillance and crisis management system. The system will significantly enhance Europe’s ability to monitor environmental crises and manage and coordinate related operations and emergency responses.
With a total budget of €11 million, the OSIRIS* project calls for the definition, development and testing of an integrated real-time surveillance and crisis management system. The system will significantly enhance Europe’s ability to monitor environmental crises and manage and coordinate related operations and emergency responses.
The programme is structured around three key areas: accidental air pollution in urban areas, unexpected water pollution in drainage basins, and forest fires.
The proposed architecture is open and scalable to allow for easy integration of new data from satellites and other sources to further improve the quality of service.
The proposed architecture is open and scalable to allow for easy integration of new data from satellites and other sources to further improve the quality of service.
The OSIRIS programme is a prime illustration of the integrated services concept underpinning the European GMES system. GMES will provide the secure information and communication system architecture needed to deliver functions ranging from earth observation to end user services.
Thales’s broad experience as a prime contractor for complex large-scale projects involving multiple technologies and contributors (research centres, industry, institutions, etc.) and its recognised expertise in critical information systems were decisive factors in the decision to award the OSIRIS contract to the Thales-led consortium.
The European Commission considers the OSIRIS project as the “cornerstone of what will be a highly integrated and effective European information system dedicated to the environment”. “OSIRIS is the GMES system‘s first operational building brick. We’re extremely proud to have this opportunity to contribute to Europe’s future as a leading force in environmental management and security,” said Luc Fonda, Director of the GMES programme office at Thales.
Notes to editors
*OSIRIS: Open architecture for Smart and Interoperable networks in Risk management based on In-situ Sensors
About Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide, supported by a comprehensive services offering. The group’s civil and military businesses develop in parallel to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. Leveraging a global network of more than 20,000 high-level researchers, Thales offers a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy critical information systems. Thales employs 60,000 people in 50 countries and generated revenues of €10.3 billion in 2005, with a record order book of over €20 billion.
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(Source Thales)