WMO Space Programme

Discussion with IPY-SPG

Barbara J. RyanDirector, WMO Space Programme

4 February 2009WMO HeadquartersGeneva, Switzerland

An Historical Comparison

Pre-1957

2005

Cataloged Objects in Earth Orbit

The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and Societal Benefits of Improved Earth Observations

Connecting Satellite Observation Systems to GEOSS

• Integrate observing systems, nationally and internationally, to benefit from the increased number and distribution of observations of any given event

• Identify measures to minimize data gaps – to move toward a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained Global Earth Observation “System of Systems”

Space-based Component of WMO’sGlobal Observing System (GOS)

Agencies Contributing to WMO’s GOS

JMA

CMA

ROSHYDROMET

IMD

NOAA

WebsiteDocuments

Training eventsVirtual

Laboratory

Enhance user capability to

benefit from sat data/products

IntercalibrationGSICS

Plan / implement space-based GOS

User requirements

database

WMO Space Programme ActivitiesWMO Space Programme Activitiesinvolving WMO Members, their Space Agencies, and CGMSinvolving WMO Members, their Space Agencies, and CGMS

Collect requirements for space-based observations and related services

IGDDS-RARS projectsAccess to R&D data

RSSC-CMRGB workshop

Support product generation

Satellite agencies Users

Global planning optimization

Enhance data access

Ensure sat data quality

POLAR- POLAR intercalibration

• Images: NOAA/NESDIS

•To ensure consistency of datasets from different missions and operators

• Implementation Plan adopted Nov.2006

•8 Organizations currently contributing (+WMO)

GEO versus Polar-orbiting

Simultaneous Nadir Overpass (SNO) inter-calibration method

Global Space-based Inter-calibration System (GSICS)

GCOS 26 Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)

A. Atmosphere

A.1 Surface Wind Speed and DirectionA.2 Upper-air TemperatureA.3 Water A VapourA.4 Cloud propertiesA.5 PrecipitationA.6 Earth Radiation BudgetA.7 OzoneA.8 Atmospheric reanalysis (multiple ECVs)A.9 AerosolsA.10 Carbon Dioxide, Methane and other

Greenhouse GasesA.11 Upper-air Wind

O. OceansO.1 Sea IceO.2 Sea LevelO.3 Sea Surface TemperatureO.4 Ocean ColourO.5 Sea StateO.6 Ocean ReanalysisO.7 Ocean Salinity

T. TerrestrialT.1 LakesT.2 Glaciers and Ice Caps, and Ice SheetsT.3 Snow CoverT.4 AlbedoT.5 Land CoverT.6 fAPART.7 LAIT.8 BiomassT.9 Fire DisturbanceT.10 Soil moisture

Expected availability of the GCOS required FCDRs (3: Terrestrial domain)

ECV

Extent of glaciers

Ice sheet elevation

Snow cover extent

Albedo

Lake level and area

Land cover type

fAPAR

LAI

Fire burnt area, rad.power

Biomass (research)

Soil moisture (research)

Instrument type Status

VIS/NIR imagery

Altimetry

VIS/NIR imagery and MW imagery

Multispectral and broadband imagery

VIS/NIR imagery, altimetry

VIS/NIR imagery, multispectral, high res. Resolution ?

VIS/NIR imagery Resolution ?

VIS/NIR imagery Resolution ?

VIS/NIR imagery, SWIR/TIR imagery

SAR R&D

Active/passive MW R&D

Maximizing data quality and usability

Users

Satellites & sensors

Satellite data

Essential Climate products

GOS GSICS

ConsistentCalibrateddata sets

RSSC-CM

• Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS) – Established Nov 2006, Currently involves 7 satellite operators– Operations Plan adopted April 2007

• Regional/Specialized Satellite Centres for Climate Monitoring (RSSC-CM)– Concept agreed following CM-7 guidance– Implementation Plan developed– Executive Panel to meet on 25-26 February

CEOS Virtual Constellations

• Synergies among national and regional satellite programs and focus dialogue and resources

– Atmospheric composition – NASA/ESA– Global precipitation – NASA/JAXA– Land surface imaging – USGS/ISRO– Ocean surface topography – NOAA/Eumetsat

– Ocean color radiometry– Ocean surface vector winds

• Common guidelines

• Optimal end-to-end capabilities

• Coordinated user requirements for future systems

NO2 Images for April 15, 2004

NASA

Measurements

Mission

Science

Information

Decision Makers

Societal Need

Needs a

nd R

equire

ments

Societal Benefit

Improved Indexes andForecast Products

Resu

lts

and P

roduct

s

AC Constellation provides improved continuity and coverage

AC individual missions provide limited continuity and coverage

Improved knowledge and models

Improved technology

Volcanic Eruption AshDisaster Warning System

Virtual Constellation (ACC) Example of Value Chain

Challenges Facing the Community

• Research to Operations Transition (R2O)– Remarkable record of satellite

observations derived from instruments largely designed for weather forecasting

• Data Sharing Principles– WMO Resolutions 40 (met) and 25 (hydro)

• Different approaches/terminology among different sectors and/or organizations – confusing to policy-makers

Working across the Constellations -- Mt. Etna InSAR

The Way Forward

. . . both satellite and in situ data are required to better monitor, characterize, and predict changes in the Earth system. While in situ measurements will remain essential and largely measure what cannot be measured from satellites, Earth-observation satellites are the only realistic means to obtain the necessary global coverage, and with well-calibrated measurements will become the single most important contribution to global observations for climate.

www.ceos.org