1. Creation of a System of Systems on a Global Scale: The Evolution of GEOSS Dr. Jay Pearlman The Boeing Company September

2. Global Earth Observation System of Systems GEOSS

3. The Earth is a complex system of systems
The Earth is a complex system of systems, and to understand it, data is required from multiple observation networks and systems. A Global Earth Observation System of Systems is required to meet the challenge
Data are required from multiple observation networks and systems

4. Temperature and Greenhouse Gas Histories starting at 400,000 yr BP
Is the present a normal oscillation or is it Global Warming?

5. Times are changing? ??
Agriculture
Industry

6. GEOSS
A Global, Coordinated, Comprehensive and Sustained System of Earth Observing Systems
GEOSS is a global distributed system, including satellite observation systems, Global in situ networks and systems, And local and regional in situ networks.
GEOSS will deliver the benefits of EO to both data & information providers and consumers world wide.
Address the need for timely, quality, long-term, global information as a basis for sound decision making.

7. Nine GEOSS Societal Benefit Areas
Water Resources
Natural & Human Induced Disasters
Ecosystems
A coordinated Earth observation system is an excellent example of science serving society.
Rather than building observation systems for a specific application and adapting it to other uses as we have in the past, we are now looking at an integrated approach focused on these nine societal benefit areas:
Weather Forecasting
Reduce Loss of Life and Property from Disasters
Protect and Monitor Our Ocean Resources
Understand, Assess, Predict, Mitigate, and Adapt to Climate Variability and Change
Support Sustainable Agriculture and Combat Land Degradation
Understand the Effect of Environmental Factors on Human Health and Well-Being
Develop the Capacity to Make Ecological Forecasts Protect and Monitor Water Resources
Monitor and Manage Energy Resources
Energy Resources
Sustainable Agriculture & Desertification
Human Health & Well-Being
Weather Information and Forecasting
Climate Variability & Change
Oceans

8. Health Relative Positions of « Meningitis Belt »
and Intertropical Convergence Zone
(July and January)
2002

9. Cholera Outbreaks Forecasting
VIBRIO CHOLERAE HAS A
MARINE ZOONOTIC CYCLE
ASSOCIATED WITH ALGAL
BLOOMS
BAY OF BENGAL
COPEPOD
AVRHH SEPT 1992
FALSE COLOR INFRARED

10. AVHRR Global Composite SST Images - 1992
JANUARY
MAY

11. SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE PREDICTS CHOLERA CASES
BAY OF BENGAL
Lobitz et al PNAS 97:1430

12. Flood Forecasting

13. Global Continental Water-Level Observations
Strengthening satellite and in situ monitoring networks of estuaries, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater levels:
For flood risk management
For improving water resource management
For understanding sea-level rise

14. The GEOSS Architecture A Systems of Systems Implementation

15. What is a “System of Systems?”
Definition:
A System-of-Systems (SoS) is a “super-system” comprised of elements that are themselves complex, independent systems which interact to achieve a common goal.
Common Characteristics:
The component systems achieve well-substantiated purposes in their own right even if detached from the overall system
Not just a large, complex system
The components systems are managed in large part for their own purposes rather than the purposes of the whole
Constructed of Independent systems
It exhibits behavior, including emergent behavior, not achievable by the component systems acting independently
Value of the synergy
Component systems, functions, and behaviors may be added or removed during its use
Dynamic, open environment

16. GEOSS Challenges
Interoperability – what is it and how do we address it
Integration of Human factors – broader influence means more impacts
Dynamic participation
End to end integration – what does it mean??
Multiple ownership/prioritization
SOSA understanding

17. Interoperability Objective
What few things must be the same so that everything else can be different?
- Eliot Christian
As a "System of Systems", the success of GEOSS depends on how well the contributed systems achieve "Interoperability".
Here, interoperability is that condition wherein differences among systems are not a barrier to a task that spans those systems. The focus is on how systems work together. GEOSS itself does not delve into how the contributed systems operate within themselves.
The GEOSS Implementation Plan Reference Document makes this statement:
"GEOSS does not mean an attempt to incorporate all Earth observing systems into a single, monolithic, centrally controlled system.
It is intended to improve the data supply to users and not as a justification for annexing existing observation and data distribution systems into a new international organization."
Put another way, the GEOSS architecture will specify just those "few things that must be the same so that everything else can be different".

18. Architecture and Interoperability Approach
Build a flexible architecture and Integration framework on a set of reusable components
Leverage existing external and internal standards, architectures, and models
Capture future capabilities through open architecture
Support wide range of business processes and environments
Enable disconnected/connected modes for all implementations
Integrate development through a service oriented architecture (SOA)

19. GEOSS Architecture – interoperability arrangements
Technical Specifications for Collecting, Processing, Storing, and Disseminating Data and Products
Based on Non-proprietary Standards
Defining only how System Components Should Interface to be Contributed to GEOSS
As a "System of Systems", the success of GEOSS depends on how well the contributed systems achieve "Interoperability".
Here, interoperability is that condition wherein differences among systems are not a barrier to a task that spans those systems. The focus is on how systems work together. GEOSS itself does not delve into how the contributed systems operate within themselves.
The GEOSS Implementation Plan Reference Document makes this statement:
"GEOSS does not mean an attempt to incorporate all Earth observing systems into a single, monolithic, centrally controlled system.
It is intended to improve the data supply to users and not as a justification for annexing existing observation and data distribution systems into a new international organization."
Put another way, the GEOSS architecture will specify just those "few things that must be the same so that everything else can be different".

20. The Creation of GEOSS and the Group on Earth Observation

21. GEO Creation – February 2005
Earth Observation Summit III, Brussels, Belgium
Established GEO
10 Year Implementation Plan
Resolution Endorsing Plan
Continued growth
2006 Tasks Implemented

22. Group on Earth Observations
GEO is an Intergovernmental Organization of 65 Member Countries, the European Commission and 43 Participating Organizations
The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is the organization formed to implement GEOSS
64 Member Countries, the EC, 43 Participating Organizations

23. Architecture Implementation Objectives - 2006-7
Create an interoperability structure
Establish a web portal
Develop a clearinghouse for data and information
Provide for prototype operations
As a "System of Systems", the success of GEOSS depends on how well the contributed systems achieve "Interoperability".
Here, interoperability is that condition wherein differences among systems are not a barrier to a task that spans those systems. The focus is on how systems work together. GEOSS itself does not delve into how the contributed systems operate within themselves.
The GEOSS Implementation Plan Reference Document makes this statement:
"GEOSS does not mean an attempt to incorporate all Earth observing systems into a single, monolithic, centrally controlled system.
It is intended to improve the data supply to users and not as a justification for annexing existing observation and data distribution systems into a new international organization."
Put another way, the GEOSS architecture will specify just those "few things that must be the same so that everything else can be different".
Ensuring Practical Application of GEOSS Data Sharing Principles to Societal Benefits

24. For more information: www.earthobservations.org
Conclusion
Tremendous Global Mobilization and Interest in GEO from all Disciplines and Communities
First GEO Achievements as Early as End 2006
Process is Always Open to New Participants
See slide text
For more information:

25. What we do in this generation will determine the destiny of our children’s children
Courtesy of Rick Anthes

26. Acknowledgements Jose Achache, Dir, GEO Secretariat
Marion Butterfield, Boeing
The ADC Co-Chairs, GEO