1. CEOS SIT Chair Introduction
Committee on Earth Observation Satellites
CEOS SIT Chair Introduction
Steve Volz, NOAA, CEOS SIT Chair
CEOS 2019 SIT Technical Workshop
Session 1, Agenda Item 1.4
Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
11 – 12 September 2019

2. “CEOS operations in the global community”
2019 CEOS SIT Technical Workshop
“CEOS operations in the global community”
The 2019 SIT Technical Workshop will focus on preparations for CEOS Plenary, particularly follow-up and continuity of themes initiated at SIT-33 and pursued at the 2018 SIT Technical Workshop, 32nd CEOS Plenary, and SIT-34.

3. Workshop Objectives
Continue Virtual Constellation (VC)/Working Group (WG)/ad hoc Team (AHT) coordination discussions, from the VC/WG/AHT Day, July-August Tag-ups, and SIT-34, with a focus on identifying SIT- and Plenary-level actions required to support the optimization of resource allocation and utilization, and on sustaining tangible outputs.
Discuss Ocean Virtual Constellation Merger Study Team (OVCMST) and Working Group Study Team (WGST) outcomes and identify SIT- and Plenary-level actions required.
Discuss proposed language changes to CEOS Strategic Guidance for VC leadership rotation and AHT life cycles as actioned at SIT Additionally, determine which AHTs will request renewal during annual review of their mandates at Plenary.

4. Workshop Objectives, con’t
Update on the way forward for CEOS on the coordination of climate observations including on greenhouse gases (GHGs) (e.g., Greenhouse Gases from Space, joint CEOS-CGMS activities, the ECV Inventory and gap analysis, IPCC Inventories).
Update on the way forward on data-related activities including CEOS and Open DataCube activities, and LSI-VC’s work on Analysis Ready Data (ARD), and CARD4L (e.g., potential expansion beyond land).
An update and discussion around the CEOS approach to key partnerships, including CGMS, WMO, and GEO.

5. Workshop Format
Adoption of Agenda Outcomes of the SIT Technical Workshop will include recommendations to be taken to the CEOS Plenary for decision. As such, all agenda items for the SIT 2019 Technical Workshop are for information/discussion.

6. SIT-34 Action Status No. Actionee Action Due date SIT-34-01
CEOS VC Co-Leads, WG Chairs/Vice Chairs
All CEOS Virtual Constellation Co-Leads, Working Group Chairs and Vice Chairs, and Ad Hoc Team Co-Leads to provide updated content and information for the CEOS website to CEOS SEO, with a cc to the CEO.
30 June 2019
Rationale: Information on CEOS website is not current.
SIT-34-02
SEO in consultatio n with CEOS SEC
Establish a working team to scope and develop content for the proposed CEOS presence at GEO-XVI Plenary.
30 April 2019
Rationale: A managed response is necessary to take up this opportunity and ensure broader CEOS interests are taken into consideration.
SIT-34-06
NOAA/SIT Chair Team
To coordinate with WGDisasters, WGCapD, and CSIRO on possible evolution of GEO-LEO pilot.
June 2019
Rationale: Coordination of the GEO-LEO effort.
SIT-34-08
CEOS Agencies
Any agency that is ready and able to support one, two, three, any or all of the 6.6.1, , and Indicators are asked to indicate interest to the Co-Leads of the SDG AHT.
1 July 2019
Rationale: Demonstrate Agency support to the SDGs.
SIT-34-09
SIT Vice Chair Team
Bring revised Analysis Ready Data (ARD) Strategy to SIT TW for discussion, with a view to a final version for endorsement at CEOS Plenary.
2019 SIT Technical Workshop
Rationale: Broaden the ARD Strategy beyond Land.

7. SIT-34 Action Status No. Actionee Action Due date SIT-34-11
CEOS Blue Planet Expert
Work with interested CEOS entities to bring forward ideas for an ad hoc coastal observing and applications team under the auspices of the GEO Blue Planet, and targeted demonstration projects focusing on flooding, water quality, eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and/or other ecosystem impacts.
2019 SIT Technical Workshop
Rationale: Proposal for Coastal Strategy and ways to revisit coastal observing requirements. Might need to first plan and undertake a Scoping Workshop.
SIT-34-12
SIT Chair Team
Draft and distribute the proposed language for the proposed VC leadership rotation, which will identify at least 2, no more than 3 Co-Leads, with Co- Leads from any interested CEOS Member or Associate for a two-year, staggered term. Co-Leads can reapply for position.
Circulated: June 2019
For discussion: SIT Technical Workshop
Rationale: Detail the proposal for VC leadership rotation.
SIT-34-13
Draft and distribute the proposed language for the proposed ad hoc Team (AHT) initiation cycle for standing up new AHTs. The two-year initial cycle will allow for defining the objective, evaluating the merit and value of the objectives, and determining the appropriate path forward for continued support within CEOS. Language should include AHT closure process.
Circulated: June 2019
Rationale: Detail the proposal for ad hoc team review.
SIT-34-15
SIT Chair Team to lead a study team to look at the proposed concept for a new Working Group and draft a recommended way forward.
Rationale: Come back to SIT TW with a proposal to take forward to CEOS Plenary for endorsement.
SIT-34-17
SIT Chair Team to lead a study team to look at the proposed pilot of oceans VC merger and draft a recommended way forward for the VC based on the study team Charter.

8. 32nd Plenary Action Status

9. SIT Chair Priorities
Ensure the efficient execution of existing SIT responsibilities as described in the SIT Terms of Reference, including addressing Working Group and Virtual Constellation (VC) continuity, sustainability, and outputs, including:
Undertaking gap analyses for each VC, to support ongoing and likely upcoming strategic Agency observatory decisions;
Seeking observations from VCs and WGs on best practices and possible modifications to existing practices.
Enhance the utility of new observations from next generation of geostationary satellites and exploring development of LEO/GEO combination products and data processing capabilities.

10. SIT Chair Priorities
Improve and clarify CEOS relationships with CGMS, GEO, and to a lesser degree WMO, by identifying coordinated activities and, where appropriate, holistic interaction among CEOS, CGMS, GEO, and WMO, emphasizing the unique values of each.
Identify and focus on areas of appropriate and productive collaboration.
Take stock of trends and future directions so that CEOS can best serve the needs of its Agencies and execute its role most productively alongside CGMS, GEO, and WMO
Identify appropriate and productive engagement approaches with commercial sector in the process.
Support initiatives undertaken by CEOS Chairs in and 2019.

11. Continuity of 2018-2019 SIT Chair Themes
Throughout the past 18 months, we have discussed potential changes in leadership transition for the Virtual Constellations (VCs), enhanced coordination among VCs and between VCs, Working Groups (WGs), and ad hoc Teams (AHTs), and a path to maturation for the AHTs.
At SIT-34, we spent considerable time discussing these items and the Concept Paper for Restructuring CEOS Virtual Constellations and Creation of a New Working Group Addendum to Strategic Directions and Partnerships for CEOS Discussion Paper, V1, both still relevant documents.
At the 2019 SIT Technical Workshop, we will present results from the two Study Teams created at SIT-34 in response to discussions from the Concept Paper – Working Group Study Team (WGST) and Ocean Virtual Constellation Merger Study Team (OVCMST) – and review proposals for recommended way forward for presentation at 33rd CEOS Plenary.

12. Strategic Directions and Partnerships for CEOS Discussion Paper
21 March 2018
Ensuring tangible outcomes from, and sustainable commitment to, our VCs and WGs
Maximizing the value of VC and WG output for CEOS objectives (e.g., ECVs and SDGs) and for individual CEOS Agency objectives
Ensuring the necessary support for our existing thematic teams to flourish and to deliver
Clearer overall CEOS observing system assessment and desired observing strategies – and known contribution from each CEOS Entity
AHTs to reflect and report on group trajectory and lifecycle, taking into account the outlook and evolution of long-term sustained operations and expectations levied on CEOS and Member Agency participation.

13. Propose a VC leadership rotation cycle.
Concept Paper for Restructuring CEOS Virtual Constellations and Creation of New Working Group – March 2019
Propose for discussion and consideration: a restructure of the CEOS Virtual Constellations:
Merge the four current ocean-related VCs into a single Ocean VC focused on creating an integrated and coordinated multi-variable picture of oceans.
Merge AC-VC and P-VC into an Atmosphere VC.
LSI-VC already follows this model, looking at a “family” of variables for integrated picture of the land, and is proposed to become the Land VC.
Propose a VC leadership rotation cycle.
Propose a two-year initiation cycle for standing up new AHTs. The two- year initial cycle will allow for defining the objective, evaluating the merit and value of the objectives, and determining the appropriate path forward for continued support within CEOS. All other aspects of the AHT reporting process will remain, including annual reporting at Plenary.
Propose for discussion and consideration: Establish a new Working Group focused on Information Provision, to coordinate all activities related to user outreach and applications (e.g., forests, agriculture, freshwater, land degradation, urban, biodiversity, and more in the future).