VC & WG Session

1. VC & WG Session CEOS SIT-28 Meeting Hampton, Virginia, USA12th March 2013

2. Welcome & objectives • SIT-28 continues the theme of increased focus on physical outputs in support of CEOS implementation priorities • SIT team providing reinforced support and feedback for VCs and WGs • SIT-27 side meeting was productive and follow-up telcon series • SIT-28 side meeting progressed topics for discussion at SIT

3. Agenda • VC & WG Contributions to the 2015 GEOSS (1h10m) • Individual brief reports • VC Membership, composition & sustainability (40m) • VC/WG Selected Topic (30m) – Deliverables & Blue Planet • CEOS Deliverables for GEOSS Data Discovery and Access (1h15m) • HMA-CWIC • Standardising data access for VC holdings • LSI Terms of Reference (20m) • Wrap

4. VC & WG Accomplishments for the 2015 GEOSS CEOS SIT-28 Meeting Hampton, Virginia, USA11th March 2013

5. 2015 accomplishments • 10-year implementation plan for the GEOSS ends in 2015 • Critical for GEO to show tangible benefits for member governments – and CEOS has a leading role • CSS study of VCs focused on their capacity and intentions to provide outputs – SIT dialogue with VCs/WGs in 2012 & 2013 has continued this discussion • The VCs and WGs are the delivery teams of CEOS • Delivery plans have been updated – this session takes a look at the combined output

6. ACC 2015 accomplishments • Multi Sensor Volcanic Eruption Alert System • Enhanced support to Aviation Control Service (SACS) web service providing SO2 and volcanic ash warning service based on multi-sensor measurements • Geostationary AQ Constellation Coordination Activities • Establish cross-agency membership on relevant science teams • Agree on an open data policy for AQ-relevant data and support establishment of common cal/valstandards for common pre-launch instrument characterization. Conduct workshop during 2013 • Organize a workshop on AQ model intercomparison to optimize use by air quality forecasters and managers • Undertake best efforts to overlap planned GEO AQ missions (e.g., Sentinel 4, TEMPO, and GEMS) by at least 1 year to provide simultaneous continuous observations of the Northern Hemisphere through a full annual cycle • Total Ozone ECV support • Establish validation protocol and common database • Combined US/European total ozone ECV data set generation • Greenhouse Gas Constellation • GHG measurement coordination, validation protocols, potential for combined ECV data sets • Limb scattering ozone profile measurement coordination • In collaboration with SPARC/WMO/IOC activities

7. LSI 2015 accomplishments • LSI Explorer (Cross-Catalog, Data Discovery, Data Delivery System) • INPE • CSA/CCRS • NASA • NOAA • USGS • JAXA • China Data Centers • ESA • South Africa • Terrestrial ECVs discoverable and downloadable • SAR Collections Data Delivery Flow Incorporated • Addressing Public-Private Partnerships • LSI Web Site • Expanded and Updated Agency Holdings • All Links Point to MIM • SAR Missions fully represented • Support Extended to all GEO Initiatives Endorsed by CEOS • Terrestrial Collection Focus

8. OCR 2015 accomplishments • Implementation of INSITU-OCR • Establishment of a Task Force on Calibration – standing WG under IOCCG that could interface with CEOS WGCV (2013 deliverable to facilitate INSITU-OCR Implementation) • Finalization of IOCCG Report 14 – Calibration of Satellite Ocean-Colour Sensors • Finalization of IOCCG Report 15 – Remote Sensing in Polar Seas (related) • IOCCG agencies and members define commitments for implementation of INSITU-OCR • Deliverable: quantifying requirements for, identifying and (plans for) supporting three long-term cal/val sites that run across satellite missions by 2015 • Ocean Color ECV support • Focus on basin to global scale ECV/CDR time series for climate related studies which require long records • IOCCG ECV WG goal is to give a complete report of initial objectives at the IOCCG in 2014 (TOR and written report for description of goals) • Development of roadmap for first assessment – topic for second meeting – May 2013 • Recommend comparison/evaluation metrics • Record and evaluate differences among existing OCR ECV products and recommend how differences can be resolved. • Establish criteria to be satisfied by OCR ECV products and recommend actions needed to ensure the quality and consistency required by GCOS. • Respond to CEOS requests for review of OCR ECVs. • Establish contact with the SST-VC. • Evaluate agency efforts to develop/help develop and archive ECVs • Operational Oceanography (VC Coordination) Paper • Under discussion at IOCCG currently NB: OCR-VC membership rotation • Current co-leads are Paula Bontempi (NASA), Peter Regner (ESA), Prakash Chauhan (ISRO) • Dr. Chauhan (ISRO) has requested to rotate off • Bontempi will stay in lead role for another year, Regner (ESA) will stay on board, and IOCCG is considering the addition of Paul DiGiacomo (NOAA) as co-lead (NOAA approved)

9. OST 2015 accomplishments • Ensure launch of Jason-3 in March 2015 latest, so as to preserve continuity of the reference measurement • Timely program approval of Jason-CS in Europe and in the US to ensure long-term availability of the reference measurement • Fulfil the user requirements of two, preferably three additional missions through provision and dissemination of SARAL, Cryosat 2 and HY2A altimetry products (and also assimilation into the multi mission DUACS product) • Maintain focus on new technology as in SWOT and ensure its continuity with the Jason-series by including a Jason-class nadir altimeter in the SWOT payload (currently baseline). All of the above are needed to sustain the delivery of a service to our users, and this requires a number of transverse activities such as: • An adequate training program, • Addressing the role of the Ocean Surface Topography Science Team in the CEOS OST Constellation, • Considering the contribution of OST Constellation to the concept of Operational Oceanography services coordination by CEOS.

10. OSVW 2015 accomplishments • OSCAT Follow-On: OceanSat-3 launched planned for 2016 (program not yet approved) • ASCAT Follow-On: Planned for launch on EPS-SG 2nd satellite (Sat-B) in 2022 • By 2015 instrument design expected to be ready. • In 2013 ASCAT-B becomes the primary operational mission and ASCAT-A remains in operations as a hot stand-by. Tandem operations beyond 2014 are under discussion and will be assessed in the course of 2013. In this context: • Absolute calibration of ASCAT-B and cross-calibration with ASCAT-A • Potential revisit of phasing of METOP-A/METOP-B options • Consistently reprocessed ASCAT-A mission dataset • Consistently processed OSCAT mission dataset • Define standard calibration/validation methodology in coordination with IOVWST • In coordination with IOWVST, define approach/plan to harmonize multi-mission wind data records • Consolidate/formalize the periodically given course on the use of scatterometer winds for marine forecasting. • To identify and start addressing additional scatterometer wind training needs within the scientific community in a more general oceanography applications context, drawing from the expertise available in the IOVWST group

11. PC 2015 accomplishments • PC Data Portal with links to CEOS Water Portal • Completion of First Phase “link only” interface – March • Planning/study for and implementaton of Second Phase “query/results/order based” interface – April 2013 to December 2014 • Precipitation ECV support – Response to GCOS Action A-8 - Ensure continuity of satellite precipitation products • Deliverables #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 (see next slide for details) • Deployment of GPM phase constellation satellites and maintaining continuity with TRMM • Advocacy of post-GPM phase PC • Potential Microwave Imager (MI) shortfall in post-GPM era • Light and solid precipitation measurements at high latitudes • GPM FO

12. Response to GCOS Action A8 - Ensure continuity of satellite precipitation products • Deliverables • Sustainment and enhancement of constellation of satellites carrying microwave radiometers (both imagers and sounders) and moderate inclination satellite carrying microwave imager and precipitation radar. • Well characterized and stable Level 1B calibrated, geolocated brightness temperature (Tb) products from each PC radiometer. • Inter-calibrated brightness temperature (Tc) products by applying the GPM core observatory reference standard. • Precipitation retrievals using physically based a-priori database constructed from combined radiometer/radar measurement. • Global monthly PDF of precipitation intensity based on the above.

13. SST-VC 2015 accomplishments • Continue to interface GHRSST activities with CEOS and enhance cooperation with CEOS Ocean VC’s • Increase CEOS SST-VC membership (Targets: KARI, NRSCC, NSMC/CMA, ISRO, CONAE, Roskosmos, SANSA) • SST-VC: Space Segment • Address gap in dual-view TIR imaging since loss of ENVISAT AATSR (AVHRR & IASI) • Launch of Sentinel-3A in 2015 providing continuity of dual-view IR measurements. • Commission METOPB AVHRR and NPP • Inclusions of ISRO OCEANSAT3, KARI COMS, NOAA NPP, JAXA GCOM-W, EUMETSAT METOP&MTG within the SST-VC • Prepare White Paper on SST Constellation definition (needs, structure, system) • SST-VC: Ground Segment/Information systems • Data availability and access: Maintain and evolve the user/producer community providing international exchange and application of NRT EO SST data within the GHRSST framework • Bring GCOM-W, COMS and VIIRS SST data into the GHRSST framework • CEOS-GEO Action IN-03-C1_1: Translate and bring on-line EO-SST data holdings within the CEOS WGISS Integrated Catalogue (CWIC) • Improve multi-sensor L4 analyses and ensemble products of EO SST for operational and climate applications • Develop and implement metrics for SST services, products and users.

14. SST-VC 2015 accomplishments • SST-VC: Products and services • Coordinate user requirements and feedback for SST Products and Services • Improve SST product validation and coordination of validation teams • Climate monitoring and research (CEOS-GEO Actions CL-01-C1_1& CL-01-C1_2) Development of SST CDR as CEOS Response to the Satellite Supplement of the 2010 GCOS IP via ESA CCI and GHRSST activities • CEOS-GEO Action IN-02-C1_3: Implement QA4EO principles into GHRSST SST data sets in the most appropriate manner • Ocean Supersites Development: pilot using the High Resolution Diagnostic data set (HR-DDS) via the ESA Felyx project (http://hrdds.ifremer.fr/) for SST, Ocean Colour, Wind/Wave (CEOS-GEO Action DI-01-C2_2 ) • SST-VC: Notes • Capacity building: Develop training activities for satellite SST practitioners. • Improve user feedback to CEOS Agencies via better integration of existing GHRSST activities within CEOS.

15. WGCapD 2015 accomplishments Deliverables for the following GEO WP, ID-02-C2 component, as identified in CEOS actions • Integrate GEONetCab project website with the GEO web portal and WGCapD website • Output: Integrate information about Capacity Building resources for the Earth Observation domain. • Development of an International Online Certificate Program in Remote Sensing, to be organized by CEOS Space Agencies • Output: First pilot course to be held from Feb 18 to June 10, to Anglophone countries in Africa. More courses shall be developed, also focusing of French Africa and Latin America. • Develop and carryout an inventory of capacity building activities focused on space-derived data. • Outputs: Perform a global assessment which will serve to better focus capacity building efforts as well as highlight new areas where organizations can better cooperate to achieve their goals. The final product will be an interactive map hosted on the CEOS website. • Execute a Digital Elevation Models workshop with high resolution DEM data. • Outputs: Expand these workshops to Nepal as well if the data is released for those regions.

16. WGClimate 2015 accomplishments • From WGClimateToR: • Define and implement a consistent Climate Monitoring Architecture for space-based observations. • Review and assess, on behalf of CEOS, the generation of Fundamental Climate Data Records (FCDRs) and derived Essential Climate Variable (ECV) climate products supported by Member space agencies, • WGClimate: Space Segment • Once initial rendition of Physical Architecture is complete, concrete recommendations on climate observation priorities for space segment will be provided. • Undertaken in collaboration with CGMS, expected within 2015. • WGClimate: Ground Segment/Information systems • Essential Climate Variable Inventory. • First version and analysis available by Q1 2014. • WGClimate: Products and services • Consensus system metrics for assessing ECV maturity end 2014. • In depth ECV/TCDR assessment procedure and pilots Q2 2014. • Both undertaken with SST and OCR VCs (and their associated scientific bodies - GHRSST, IOCCG) and in collaboration with WCRP-DAC. • Note: the joint activity on the climate monitoring architecture with CGMS has been extremely productive and beneficial. If this is to continue in the future then some joint oversight mechanism would be necessary and effective

17. WGISS 2015 accomplishments • Contributions to GEOSS Data Discovery and Access • IDN: Directory Service and Collection Metadata • More than 14,000 (as of Feb. 26th)data collections from CEOS agencies can be discovered from GEO Portal. • CWIC : Catalog service and Data Access • More than 1,700 (as of Feb. 26th)data collections from CEOS agencies can be discovered and accessed from GEO Portal. • FedEO : Catalog service and Data Access • Several data collections from CEOS agencies will be discoverable from GEOSS. • Portal systems • LSI Portal, ACC Portal and CEOS Water Portal

18. WGCV 2015 accomplishments GEO Workplan component IN-02: Earth Data Sets • IN-02-C1: Advances in Life-cycle Data Management • Develop a GEO strategy for data quality assurance through developing a CEOS Quality Assurance Framework for Earth Observation (QA4EO) and implementing processes and structure for CEOS data and information. • Output: QA4EO Implementation Pilots and Showcases for key GEO data/information/SBA efforts; Fit for purpose documentation related to system, data and product capability and accuracy; Quality parameter measurement and process guidelines for each quality definition; Support to LTDP and data management efforts, Incorporation of information in the process and definitions; Incorporation of data and information QA flags; Update of QA4EO website • Enabling Data and Information Interoperability and Harmonization in CEOS and GEO by developing an architecture and constituent elements needed for implementation of an operational system Output: Full list of CEOS test sites; Establish operational collection of calibration data over these sites by agencies; Prototype pre-operational satellite to satellite (optical domain) bias correction; Establish methodologies to aid interoperability

19. 2015 accomplishments – space segment

20. 2015 accomplishments – gnd segment/infosys

21. 2015 accomplishments – products & services

22. Space segment • Significant variation, even internally, in defining and communicating what the VCs and WGs aim to achieve • VCs mainly deliver space segment coordination outcomes and products/services • “The Virtual Constellations are seen as one of the biggest assets of CEOS, and the primary mechanism for the coordination of space assets” • Isolating, defining, standardising the value added of the VCs for the space segment would help communication & management?

23. Ground segment, products & services • WGs mainly deliver portals/info systems & products/services • Major outputs like IDN and ECV inventory • SIT Vice Chair proposal seeks to standardise on the access to products and services relevant to VCs

24. Communicating CEOS accomplishments • In light of the consolidated responses, do individual VC/WGs wish to change their statement of accomplishments? Should we more generally seek to sharpen scope of VC/WG accomplishments and seek to standardise and improve consistency? • Clearer deliverables would aid communication and management? • Better integration of the VC/WGs with the annual CEOS work plan • Not much guidance from the Constellations Process Paper (late 2008) • Implementation Plans and schedules are requested • Time for an update?

25. Adequacy of the 2015 accomplishments for the GEOSS • Perspective from CEOS rep to post-2015 GEO WG • Discussion • Perspective from GEO Secretariat • Discussion

26. VC Membership, Composition & Sustainability G. Dyke/SIT Chair Team, C. Donlon and K. Casey/SST-VC, M. Dowell/WGClimate CEOS SIT-28 Meeting Hampton , Virginia, USA11-12 March 2013

27. Overview Update on VC membership status and gaps Status of VC engagement with respective science teams Motives, perceived benefits and risks Discussion

28. Key Questions for Discussion What are the motivations for some VCs to engage related science teams? Are there lessons for other VCs & do we need a more systematic approach to engagement?

29. VC Membership Status Approximate VC Membership PC: ~20 LSI: ~20 ACC: ~15 CEOS, ~100 more generally (academia, etc.) SST: ~10 (all members also GHRSST members) OSVW: ~20 OST: ? OCR: ?

30. Changes in Gaps Since SIT-27 PC: No change (CMA, ROSHYDROMET) LSI: Link to WGClimate established through John Dwyer Links to SDCG being clarified ACC: Fuxiang Huang at CMA/NSMC indicated he will attend No progress with Russia SST Added CSIRO/BoM and WGCV Still seeking ISRO, CONAE, NRSCC, NSMC/CMA, Roskosmos, KARI, SANSA

31. OSVW: No change (SOA, CMA, ROSHYDROMET, ROSKOSMOS) No response to CEOS leadership letter last year to China EUMETSAT progress with SOA bi-laterally OST: SIT-27 Status CNSA/China (OSTST participation, HY-2A, HY-2B, SARAL/AltiKa) ESA (OSTST participation) OCR: SIT-27 Status Instrument Science Teams – various CEOS agencies Changes in Gaps Since SIT-27

32. VCs and Science Teams

33. VCs and Science Teams

34. Motivation OCR was well aligned; SST was aligned by design; OST & OSVW, are looking to better align with key science teams PC also has links ACC and LSI more diffuse What is the motivation for this engagement? Is this indicative of a bigger issue with the current geometry for all VCs?

35. Benefits • There are multiple benefits to links between CEOS VCs/WGs and domain specific international science working groups • They provide the scientific underpinning to CEOS agency activities in the international context • They can provide independent oversight on activities where this is required • They provide a international consolidation of “scientific user requirements” for CEOS agency datasets and products

36. Benefits • CEOS has implicitly taken advantage of these relationships through a variety of mechanisms • Existing links with VCs WGs • The international Science Working Groups being existing CEOS associate members • Do we need to define a systematic approach to addressing the relationship between CEOS and these organizations? • NB: there is no pre-judged opinion on this

37. Mapping Existing Relationships

38. Points from Monday’s Discussion If we’re looking for the VCs to focus on delivery/expanded contributions, more capacity and expertise is needed, and in some cases the science teams may have this CEOS agency resources support science teams (not exclusively, but substantially) and agencies could try and ensure these activities are connected to the VCs to a greater extent

39. Discussion What are the motivations for some VCs to engage related science teams? Are these motivations common across VCs? Do these commonalities warrant a systematic approach to addressing the relationship between CEOS and these organizations?

40. VC-WG selected topic2015 Accomplishments& Blue Planet CEOS SIT-28 Meeting Hampton, Virginia, USA12th March 2013

41. Accomplishments • Consistent and concise description of CEOS contribution to the 2015 GEOSS and the scope of the contribution from each VC and WG • The ‘deliverables that got left behind’: • OCR IN-SITU • ACC • QA4EO • Others….?

42. Blue Planet • CEO Update on GEO Blue Planet Task • Component lead(s)? • Op Oceans coordination activity • The Sprint to Summit?

43. GEO Blue Planet Task Kerry Ann Sawyer CEOS Executive Officer CEOS SIT-28 Meeting Hampton, Virginia, USA12 March 2013

45. SB-01 – Oceans and Society or “the Blue Planet Task” • New Task in the GEO 2012-2015 Work Plan • Related GEOSS Strategic Targets • Climate, Ecosystems, Agriculture, Biodiversity • Components: • C1 – Global Ocean Information Coordination and Access • Lead (CEOS) – M. Dowell (need to provide new CEOS Lead as Mark has been asked to lead on behalf of EU/EC) • C2 – Operational Systems for Monitoring of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems • Lead (CEOS) – P. Regner (ESA) (need to provide new CEOS Lead as Peter has asked to removed) • C3 – A Global Operational Ocean Forecasting Network • C4 – Applications of Earth Observations and Information to Sustainable Fishery and Aquaculture Management

46. Oceans and Society Blue Planet Symposium 2013 • 19-21 November 2012 – Ilhabella, Brazil • Main Outcomes/Actions: • Continue developing the SB-01 Task and establish further synergies between the various Task Components • Develop a White Paper to elaborate contributions of various programs and elements of Blue Planet • CEOS Presentation to Symposium highlighted: • Initiatives at the international level to coordinate satellite observations of the ocean that are relevant to the Blue Planet Task of GEO • Examples (not meant to be exhaustive) include: • CEOS Working Group on Climate – ocean Essential Climate Variables • CEOS Virtual Constellations – all main ocean observations! • CEOS Carbon Task Force – ocean aspects covered in Strategy report

47. Oceans and Society - Blue Planet at GEO-IX Plenary Albert Fischer, UNESCO/IOC, presented

48. Oceans and Society - Blue Planet at GEO-IX Plenary • Added Value of Blue Planet: • Provides new platforms to demonstrate importance of sustained in situ and satellite observations of marine and freshwater environments, and the value of integrating these with models • Brings together a wide and diverse community of governmental and academic researchers and provides new platforms for integration of multiple streams of data into products that provide the real value to users • Includes a dynamic, focused program in capacity building, complemented by a vigorous, global network of former scholars from developing countries. GHRSST

49. CEOS 2013 Work Plan • Expected Outcomes for 2013 – CEOS Support to Key Stakeholder Initiatives • 6.5 – Determination of the level and scope of engagement of the four ocean-related Virtual Constellations in the GEO Blue Planet Task • Ocean VCs and WGClimate “will participate in a CEOS Oceans Summit to address key activities where CEOS entities can make significant contributions to the newly developed Blue Planet Task.” • “Additionally, CEOS will consider how best to capitalize on the existence of the four ocean-related Virtual Constellations by reviewing and investigating the feasibility of creating an overarching entity for operational oceanography.”

50. CEOS Intervention in Support of Blue Planet Task CEOS is very pleased with the development of the Blue Planet Task in the 2012-2015 Work Plan. We are well-positioned to support the identified priority actions. CEOS leads two of the four Components in the Task. In 2013, CEOS will consider how best to engage the four ocean-related Virtual Constellations: Ocean Colour Radiometry, Ocean Surface Topography, Ocean Surface Vector Wind, and Sea Surface Temperature, to seek if this Task can receive further support. CEOS is engaged in the analysis of contributions to outputs for monitoring the marine ECVs and the role of the oceans in the carbon cycle and how best to define a strategy for the next generation of CEOS Agency satellite missions to monitor that process. The CEOS Carbon Task Force is also assessing the three major domains, including oceans, and their interrelationships, and this was addressed earlier this week at the Oceans and Society Blue Planet Symposium, in which I was pleased to participate.