CEOS Virtual Constellations Process Paper Committee on Earth Observation Satellites CEOS Virtual Constellations Process Paper SIT Chair Team SIT-TW-2016 Agenda Item #21 Oxford 14th-15th September 2016

VC Process Paper Last updated Nov 2013 Provides guidelines for the proposal, development, approval and implementation of new CEOS Virtual Constellations Seven existing VCs AC-VC, LSI-VC, OST-VC, P-VC, OCR-VC, OSVW- VC, SST-VC

Headlines CEOS SIT addresses new Constellation proposals on a case-by-case basis A new CEOS Constellation may be proposed by two or more CEOS Agencies, be they Members or Associates. Process will normally consist of two phases: Phase I – An Initial Proposal to the SIT with a request to determine CEOS Agency interest in a possible Constellation; Phase II – A Full Proposal for SIT approval – including an Implementation Plan.

Initial Proposal Short explanatory paper (four to six pages) provided to the SIT Chair at least four weeks in advance of an upcoming SIT Meeting The core of the paper should be the Draft Terms of Reference for the proposed Constellation, following the structure and headings provided Purpose is to allow SIT and agencies to: understand scope and scale; context among existing constellations and related activities If given a go-ahead by the SIT Chair, the proposers of the candidate Constellation will make a presentation on the Initial Proposal at the upcoming SIT meeting.

Full Proposal If positive, SIT Chair will request proposers proceed with developing a Full Proposal & Implementation Plan - due to the SIT Chair within 6 months (consideration at SIT TW or Plenary 2017?) Comprehensive document: Members and their reps Critical coordination decisions Outcomes and deliverables An outline of requirements and guidelines for potential contributors to the VC The Implementation Plan should provide a credible way forward for realization of the Constellation objectives and for achievement of the deliverables and outcomes: schedule, funding, clear and common statement of the primary user community requirements

Full Proposal SIT responsible for approving Constellation Proposals & Implementation Plans - by discussion and decision during regular SIT meetings (or SIT sessions at CEOS plenary) Reports and other papers intended for decision in SIT meetings need to be sent to the SIT Chair 4 weeks before a scheduled meeting (so 27th March for SIT-32) SIT Chair / Vice-Chair have regular consultations with Constellation Co-Leads