The CEOS ConstellationsThe CEOS Constellations

Status and Way ForwardStatus and Way Forward

SIT-19SIT-1919 September 200619 September 2006

SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 20062

A New Planning ProcessA New Planning Process

The CEOS Virtual Constellations Concept Paper and The CEOS Virtual Constellations Concept Paper and Presentation was proposed to Principals at SIT-18 as the Presentation was proposed to Principals at SIT-18 as the basis of the basis of the “..“..new planning process which takes account new planning process which takes account of international users and their requirements from the of international users and their requirements from the outset of satellite projects..”outset of satellite projects..” as called for by the CEOS as called for by the CEOS Task Force Report of 2005Task Force Report of 2005

Widely endorsed by Principals who encouraged further Widely endorsed by Principals who encouraged further development of the ideadevelopment of the idea– CEOS Virtual Constellations already features in the GEO WP as CEOS Virtual Constellations already features in the GEO WP as

task AR-07-P3task AR-07-P3

SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 20065

The Basic IdeaThe Basic Idea

1) To extract from the target user communities, a clear and common 1) To extract from the target user communities, a clear and common statement of requirements (consistent with GEOSS requirements)statement of requirements (consistent with GEOSS requirements)

2) To define a series of ‘virtual satellite constellations’ to satisfy these 2) To define a series of ‘virtual satellite constellations’ to satisfy these requirementsrequirements– Each constellation the focus for the planning and coordination by CEOS agencies Each constellation the focus for the planning and coordination by CEOS agencies

individually and collectivelyindividually and collectively– Each definition a guide to all agencies as to the characteristics of the space and ground Each definition a guide to all agencies as to the characteristics of the space and ground

segment for their mission which would best satisfy the needs of the agreed users;segment for their mission which would best satisfy the needs of the agreed users;– CEOS IP structured around these CEOS Constellations - each aimed at satisfying a CEOS IP structured around these CEOS Constellations - each aimed at satisfying a

major grouping of requirements from the GEOSS IPmajor grouping of requirements from the GEOSS IP

SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 20066

The Basic IdeaThe Basic Idea

3)3) At the heart of the application of the Constellations concept At the heart of the application of the Constellations concept is the is the definition of a series of standardsdefinition of a series of standards – required to be – required to be satisfied for any mission to be included in the constellation – satisfied for any mission to be included in the constellation – and and a process of recognition/acceptancea process of recognition/acceptance, whereby an agency , whereby an agency applies to CEOS to have one or more of its missions (ideally applies to CEOS to have one or more of its missions (ideally from the outset of planning) recognised as meeting the from the outset of planning) recognised as meeting the constellation standards and thereby satisfying the relevant constellation standards and thereby satisfying the relevant user community needsuser community needs– Standards and recognition/acceptance process could be embedded Standards and recognition/acceptance process could be embedded

within the activities of SIT using the kind of peer review system, of both within the activities of SIT using the kind of peer review system, of both space agencies and user groups, employed in the IGOS Partnershipspace agencies and user groups, employed in the IGOS Partnership

– The “recognition” process is not an evaluation of the mission as such, The “recognition” process is not an evaluation of the mission as such, but only its appropriateness within the context of the constellationbut only its appropriateness within the context of the constellation

– Standards cover data access/data policy as well as technical issuesStandards cover data access/data policy as well as technical issues

SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 20067

RationaleRationale

CEOS Task Force report to London Plenary (endorsed): At 19th CEOS Plenary, CEOS Members and Associates should agree a statement of support for CEOS, supplemented by an outline of the next steps for CEOS in relation to GEO. This statement will suggest that CEOS be recognised as a primary source of space-borne Earth observations for GEO, and should be circulated widely including to GEO SEC, GEO Director, and national/ regional points of contact to GEO.

CEOS needs a new process to inspire and manage the cooperation necessary to CEOS needs a new process to inspire and manage the cooperation necessary to fulfil the role required by space agenciesfulfil the role required by space agencies

CEOS efforts need to be more specific. Agencies find it easier to support and CEOS efforts need to be more specific. Agencies find it easier to support and engage on topics recognised as their own priorities. engage on topics recognised as their own priorities.

The standards approach allows agencies of all sizes to plan a contribution of global The standards approach allows agencies of all sizes to plan a contribution of global value in their chosen domain.value in their chosen domain.– minimum guidelines for maximum impact minimum guidelines for maximum impact – ‘‘climate compliant’ an obvious target - FCDRsclimate compliant’ an obvious target - FCDRs

SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 20068

Progress since SIT-18Progress since SIT-18

Initiated a parallel approach to development of:Initiated a parallel approach to development of:– Prototype Constellation Studies – to learn by example and fast-track some implementation wins Prototype Constellation Studies – to learn by example and fast-track some implementation wins

aimed at addressing major GEOSS needsaimed at addressing major GEOSS needs– A CEOS Virtual Constellations Process PaperA CEOS Virtual Constellations Process Paper

Prototype studies:Prototype studies:– Atmospheric Composition (NASA)Atmospheric Composition (NASA)– Precipitation (JAXA/NASA)Precipitation (JAXA/NASA)– Ocean Surface Topography (NOAA/EUMETSAT)Ocean Surface Topography (NOAA/EUMETSAT)– Land Surface Imaging (USGS)Land Surface Imaging (USGS)

Scoping papers requested for SIT-19Scoping papers requested for SIT-19– Objectives: what can be achieved and howObjectives: what can be achieved and how– ParticipationParticipation– Time period, approach etcTime period, approach etc

SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 200611

Way Forward on the ConstellationsWay Forward on the Constellations

1.1. SIT Chair to direct rapid development of the Constellations Process SIT Chair to direct rapid development of the Constellations Process Paper – ideally with a full first draft for CEOS PlenaryPaper – ideally with a full first draft for CEOS Plenary

2.2. Further development of the 4 prototypes – incorporating feedback and Further development of the 4 prototypes – incorporating feedback and guidance from the SIT-19 meeting:guidance from the SIT-19 meeting:

Confirmation of resources from participating agencies Confirmation of resources from participating agencies

Timetables developed to adapt to the 2007 CEOS/GEO CalendarTimetables developed to adapt to the 2007 CEOS/GEO CalendarDeadline for draft reports?Deadline for draft reports?

Engagement of key agencies not yet participatingEngagement of key agencies not yet participating

Update GEOSEC on progressUpdate GEOSEC on progress

3.3. Consider further candidates for Constellation studies & Leads ?Consider further candidates for Constellation studies & Leads ?