1. The CEOS Constellations Status and Way Forward SIT-19 19 September 2006

2. 2 SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006 A New Planning Process The CEOS Virtual Constellations Concept Paper and Presentation was proposed to Principals at SIT-18 as the basis of the “..new planning process which takes account of international users and their requirements from the outset of satellite projects..” as called for by the CEOS Task Force Report of 2005 Widely endorsed by Principals who encouraged further development of the idea –CEOS Virtual Constellations already features in the GEO WP as task AR-07-P3

3. 3 SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006 Seeking realism in co-ordination.. National/regional observing requirements will continue to dominate space agency spending CEOS IP can at best seek synergies where agency programmes can also contribute to satisfying certain GEOSS requirements CEOS should provide guidelines and standards to allow agencies to determine from the outset whether and to what extent this can be achieved (and to encourage compliance) CEOS Constellations is an approach for development of these standards and for securing resources from space agencies for their implementation via the CEOS framework (or others as necessary!)

4. 4 SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006 The CEOS Constellations Concept EO programmes are driven by a variety of national/regional needs and capacities –It has proven extremely difficult to obtain long term commitments aimed at harmonisation of observations in the countries and regions covered by CEOS. –Partly due to lack of a clear and common statement of need from the target user communities (notable exceptions include meteorology and defence) Lack of common requirements has meant that continuity of supply and consistency of technical performance and application of observations have not been systematic, but rather ad-hoc – although some instances of both intended and fortuitous continuity of observations have emerged over the last decades The mechanism of the ‘CEOS Virtual Constellations’ is proposed as the basis for a process aimed at addressing these shortcomings in the international planning process for space-based Earth observations without eroding the independence of individual agencies.

5. 5 SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006 The Basic Idea 1) To extract from the target user communities, a clear and common statement of requirements (consistent with GEOSS requirements) 2) To define a series of ‘virtual satellite constellations’ to satisfy these requirements –Each constellation the focus for the planning and coordination by CEOS agencies individually and collectively –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; –CEOS IP structured around these CEOS Constellations - each aimed at satisfying a major grouping of requirements from the GEOSS IP

6. 6 SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006 The Basic Idea 3) At the heart of the application of the Constellations concept is the definition of a series of standards – required to be satisfied for any mission to be included in the constellation – and a process of recognition/acceptance, whereby an agency applies to CEOS to have one or more of its missions (ideally from the outset of planning) recognised as meeting the constellation standards and thereby satisfying the relevant user community needs –Standards and recognition/acceptance process could be embedded within the activities of SIT using the kind of peer review system, of both space agencies and user groups, employed in the IGOS Partnership –The “recognition” process is not an evaluation of the mission as such, but only its appropriateness within the context of the constellation –Standards cover data access/data policy as well as technical issues

7. 7 SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006 Rationale 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 fulfil the role required by space agencies CEOS efforts need to be more specific. Agencies find it easier to support and engage on topics recognised as their own priorities. The standards approach allows agencies of all sizes to plan a contribution of global value in their chosen domain. –minimum guidelines for maximum impact –‘climate compliant’ an obvious target - FCDRs

8. 8 SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006 Progress since SIT-18 Initiated a parallel approach to development of: –Prototype Constellation Studies – to learn by example and fast-track some implementation wins aimed at addressing major GEOSS needs –A CEOS Virtual Constellations Process Paper Prototype studies: –Atmospheric Composition (NASA) –Precipitation (JAXA/NASA) –Ocean Surface Topography (NOAA/EUMETSAT) –Land Surface Imaging (USGS) Scoping papers requested for SIT-19 –Objectives: what can be achieved and how –Participation –Time period, approach etc

9. 9 SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006 The Constellations Process Paper IP Task Force agreed that a Process Paper was required to: –Define how to move from the Constellations concept to implementation –Define the framework, calendar, inputs and outputs –Provide guidance to study teams on approach –Reference document providing corporate memory –Based on the model of the IGOS Theme Process Paper Briefest draft developed for SIT-19 –Higher priority after SIT-19 –First full draft in time for CEOS Plenary –Principals asked to nominate volunteers – to ensure ownership of the resulting document

10. 10 SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006 Prototype Constellations Presentations at SIT-19 – checklist for discussion: –What is the value added? The major outcomes? Including in addressing key GEOSS needs Timetable – including GEO Summit –Is there a clear and common statement of requirements validated by the recognised user communities? –Who needs to be involved to ensure success? –What are the key points of agreement? What standards or thresholds are crucial to allow ‘open’ participation by space agencies? –Are the key agencies willing to resource further development of the Constellation?

11. 11 SIT-19 – La Jolla – 19-20 September, 2006 Way Forward on the Constellations 1. SIT Chair to direct rapid development of the Constellations Process Paper – ideally with a full first draft for CEOS Plenary 2. Further development of the 4 prototypes – incorporating feedback and guidance from the SIT-19 meeting: Confirmation of resources from participating agencies Timetables developed to adapt to the 2007 CEOS/GEO Calendar Deadline for draft reports? Engagement of key agencies not yet participating Update GEOSEC on progress 3. Consider further candidates for Constellation studies & Leads ?