1. GEO ADC meeting, Washington DC, USA, Sep. 2007 Slide # 1 DA-07-03 DA-07-03 Virtual Constellations Ivan Petiteville, CEOS GEO ADC Meeting, Washington DC, Sep. 2007

2. GEO ADC meeting, Washington DC, USA, Sep. 2007 Slide # 2 Task Description Development of Virtual Constellations within CEOS framework in consultation with User Communities Objectives: –Improve the temporal, spatial and spectral coverage & resolution as well as data management and dissemination –Satisfy the requirements and objectives of the GEO SBAs

3. GEO ADC meeting, Washington DC, USA, Sep. 2007 Slide # 3 Current 4 Virtual Constellations Precipitation Constellation: –strengthen international cooperation of space-based observations of precipitation, including realization of the GPM mission (AR-06-10) Land-Surface Imaging Constellation: –ensure the relevant synergy with High Resolution Multispectral Imager Continuity (AR-06-09); Ocean Surface Topography Constellation: –ensure continuity of Sea Level measurement in accordance with GCOS requirements (CL-06-02); Atmospheric Composition Constellation: –address many of the climate community’s needs for atmospheric observations (CL-06-02);

4. GEO ADC meeting, Washington DC, USA, Sep. 2007 Slide # 4 Task particularities –Initial interaction with the User Community for the establishment of the user needs and definition of product requirements.  UIC should provide oversight of the establishment of user needs and definition of product requirements –Establishment of standards:  data interoperability (sensor inter-calibration, data formats, interoperable catalogs metadata,..), –Implementation of an interoperable system:  mission planning, missions definitions and operations, data archiving, access, data dissemination,… …

5. GEO ADC meeting, Washington DC, USA, Sep. 2007 Slide # 5 Main Outputs & Deliverables Assessment of existing and planned systems and gap analysis As needed, consolidation of user needs and definition of product requirements for operational observations through communication with key user groups (involvement of UIC still to be arranged) Demonstration of the value of the projected Constellations for GEO Societal Benefit Areas Identification of contributions to comprehensive, sustained observing systems Establishment of CEOS Constellation standards across the GEO SBAs Demo for the GEO SummitDemo for the GEO Summit

6. GEO ADC meeting, Washington DC, USA, Sep. 2007 Slide # 6 Calendar for 2007 Q1-07Start Q1-07Establish supporting guidance and consultation structures Q1-07Approve prototype proposals and develop work plan for each constellation study Q3-07Prototype study reports submitted. Constellation Process Paper finalized Q4-07Presentation of first achievements at GEO-IV and GEO Summit Q4-09End

7. GEO ADC meeting, Washington DC, USA, Sep. 2007 Slide # 7 Task Status (1/3) Concept endorsed by CEOS Plenary (Nov. 2005) Currently, one of the 3 major CEOS activities DA-07-03 Task proposed by CEOS for the GEO 2007-2009 WP. –CEOS volunteer to be both Lead and Point of Contact

8. GEO ADC meeting, Washington DC, USA, Sep. 2007 Slide # 8 Task Status (2/3) One System Engineering Team (SEO) led by NASA + 4 Constellations teams –Atmospheric Composition (NASA/ESA) –Precipitation (JAXA/NASA) –Ocean Surface Topography (NOAA/EUMETSAT) –Land Surface Imaging (USGS/ISRO)

9. GEO ADC meeting, Washington DC, USA, Sep. 2007 Slide # 9 Task Status (3/3) Regular meetings and telecons –Several meetings of CEOS experts in 2006 and 2007 –One of the main topics at CEOS SIT (Jun. 2007 and Sep. 2007) meetings and at next CEOS Plenary (Nov. 2007) –Teleconferences every 2 to 4 weeks between Constellation Team Leaders and SEO team CEOS Demo for the GEO Summit being defined –Constellations Visualisation DVD (USGS lead) –Climate pamphlet (USGS lead) –Latest CEOS Newsletter (JAXA lead) –Short pamphlet on the “CEOS role for GEOSS” incl. Virtual Constellations (NOAA lead. TBC)

10. GEO ADC meeting, Washington DC, USA, Sep. 2007 Slide # 10 Way-Forward: document “Way-Forward on the Constellations framework document” is being drafted to improve the Constellations implementation process: –Includes: conclusion of the pilot phase, assessment of lessons learned, and way forward on existing studies and on new studies. –In addition, defines the work to be performed by the various parties involved in the VCs during the period Sep. 2007- Jun. 2008 (see next slides)

11. GEO ADC meeting, Washington DC, USA, Sep. 2007 Slide # 11 Activities (Sep. 07 – Jun. 08) Reporting and review of Constellation Pilot Studies: –reports to be prepared for presentation to CEOS Plenary (Nov. 2007) and incorporation into CEOS inputs for the GEO Summit. Emphasis will be on space agency implementation actions required to realise the Constellations. Interim revision of Constellations Process Paper: –revised draft, including details of the role for the SEO (CEOS Plenary, Nov. 2007). Declaration of intent – by the relevant agencies ready to commit the required resources and implementation actions (CEOS Plenary, Nov. 2007). GEO Secretariat report on future GEOSS Space Segment implementation priorities (under discussion with GEO Secretariat): –presentation (SIT-21, Jun. 2008) –Identification of most promising candidates for future Constellation studies. Final version of Constellations Process Paper: –(target date SIT-21, Jun. 2008) Constellations Process review and new Study selection: –As defined in Constellations Process Paper (next slide)

12. GEO ADC meeting, Washington DC, USA, Sep. 2007 Slide # 12 Constellation Process Paper Purpose: –incorporating the process and criteria for CEOS approval of new Constellation candidates, and reflecting outcomes of the GEOSS Space Segment implementation priorities – with proposals for new Constellation studies. Issue of final version (target date SIT-21, Jun. 2008)