Earth Observations to Benefit Earth Observations to Benefit SocietiesSocieties

A Briefing on the Activities of the Committee A Briefing on the Activities of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS)on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS)

Timothy StrykerTimothy StrykerU.S. Geological SurveyU.S. Geological SurveyU.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Department of the Interior

NASA Sensor Web PI MeetingOrlando, Florida

April 2, 2008

CEOS BackgroundCEOS Background

Established in 1984 from the Economic Summit of Established in 1984 from the Economic Summit of Industrialized NationsIndustrialized Nations– Recognized value of cross-disciplinary effortsRecognized value of cross-disciplinary efforts– Need to coordinate Earth observation satellite missions Need to coordinate Earth observation satellite missions

Partners with other international organizations, systems, and Partners with other international organizations, systems, and coordination groupscoordination groups– World Meteorological Organization World Meteorological Organization – Global Climate, Oceanic, and Terrestrial Observing SystemsGlobal Climate, Oceanic, and Terrestrial Observing Systems– Coordination Group for Meteorological SatellitesCoordination Group for Meteorological Satellites

Operates through best efforts of Members and Associates via Operates through best efforts of Members and Associates via voluntary contributionsvoluntary contributions

Space segment provider for the Group on Earth Observations Space segment provider for the Group on Earth Observations (GEO)(GEO)

UN Framework Convention UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Actions from COP - 10, 11, 12, and 13Actions from COP - 10, 11, 12, and 13

““Satellite Observation of the Climate System: The CEOS Satellite Observation of the Climate System: The CEOS Response to the GCOS Implementation Plan”Response to the GCOS Implementation Plan”

Response covers atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial domains, Response covers atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial domains, as well as cross-cutting issuesas well as cross-cutting issues

59 actions identify additional resources needed to fill gaps59 actions identify additional resources needed to fill gaps

Calls for a major, sustained satellite componentCalls for a major, sustained satellite component

GCOS 26 Essential Climate GCOS 26 Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)Variables (ECVs)

A.A. AtmosphereAtmosphereA.1A.1 Surface Wind Speed and DirectionSurface Wind Speed and Direction

A.2A.2 Upper-Air TemperatureUpper-Air TemperatureA.3A.3 Water VapourWater VapourA.4A.4 Cloud propertiesCloud propertiesA.5A.5 PrecipitationPrecipitationA.6A.6 Earth Radiation BudgetEarth Radiation BudgetA.7A.7 OzoneOzoneA.8A.8 Atmospheric Reanalysis (multiple Atmospheric Reanalysis (multiple

ECVs)ECVs)A.9A.9 AerosolsAerosolsA.10A.10 Carbon Dioxide, Methane and other Carbon Dioxide, Methane and other

Greenhouse GasesGreenhouse GasesA.11A.11 Upper-Air WindUpper-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

Connecting Satellite Observation Connecting Satellite Observation Systems to GEOSSSystems to GEOSS

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

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

CEOS Space Segment Support to GEOCEOS Space Segment Support to GEO

Implementation Plan for Space-Based Observations for GEOSSImplementation Plan for Space-Based Observations for GEOSS

CEOS-GEO Actions TableCEOS-GEO Actions Table

Virtual Constellations InitiativeVirtual Constellations Initiative

Dedicated Staff SupportDedicated Staff Support

– CEOS Executive OfficerCEOS Executive Officer

– GEO SBA CoordinatorsGEO SBA Coordinators

– Working Group ChairsWorking Group Chairs

CEOS Virtual CEOS Virtual Constellations InitiativeConstellations Initiative

Contribution to GEO observational requirementsContribution to GEO observational requirements

Synergies among national and regional satellite programsSynergies among national and regional satellite programs

– Atmospheric CompositionAtmospheric Composition– Ocean Surface TopographyOcean Surface Topography– PrecipitationPrecipitation– Land Surface ImagingLand Surface Imaging

Common guidelinesCommon guidelines

Optimal end-to-end capabilitiesOptimal end-to-end capabilities

Coordinated user requirements for future systemsCoordinated user requirements for future systems

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

Constellation provides improved continuity and coverage

individual missions provide limited continuity and coverage

Improved knowledge and models

Improved technology

Volcanic Eruption AshDisaster Warning System

CEOS Virtual ConstellationsDecision-Making Support Process

Atmospheric CompositionAtmospheric Composition

Monitor severe environmental phenomena Monitor severe environmental phenomena worldwideworldwide

Support public warnings and increase Support public warnings and increase effectiveness of emergency responderseffectiveness of emergency responders

Gauge effectiveness of environmental treatiesGauge effectiveness of environmental treaties

April 15, 2004 NO2 Concentrations (Vehicle Emissions) Over the United States

Ocean Surface TopographyOcean Surface Topography

Rising Sea Levels worldwide will impact islands and coastal regions such as Mumbai, India

Monitor Sea Level RiseMonitor Sea Level RiseBetter understand scope and pace of climate changeBetter understand scope and pace of climate changeProvide information on ocean temperature and chemistry, Provide information on ocean temperature and chemistry, and possible ocean current changesand possible ocean current changesAnalyze formation and forecast movement of severe storms Analyze formation and forecast movement of severe storms at seaat sea

Sea levels are rising at an average rate of ~3mm per year

PrecipitationPrecipitation

Track rainfall’s seasonal progressionTrack rainfall’s seasonal progressionBetter understand development, movement, and Better understand development, movement, and

impact of severe stormsimpact of severe stormsImprove our understanding of the water cycle Improve our understanding of the water cycle Support improved water resource managementSupport improved water resource management

Land Surface ImagingLand Surface Imaging

Africa’s Lake Chad: From 1972 to 2001Africa’s Lake Chad: From 1972 to 2001

Monitor changes to farmlands, coastlines, deserts, Monitor changes to farmlands, coastlines, deserts, and forestsand forestsTrack short-term threats to climate change such as Track short-term threats to climate change such as wildfires, floods, and volcanic activitywildfires, floods, and volcanic activity