British National Space Centre CEOS Chairmanship 2005 Ian Downey On behalf of Colin Hicks

1. British National Space Centre CEOS Chairmanship 2005 Ian Downey On behalf of Colin Hicks Director General BNSC, 2005 CEOS Chairman

2. CEOS is a voluntary international organisation set up some 20 years ago aimed at coordinating civil space activities in the area of Earth observation. It has a membership of 22 countries represented by their space agencies and 18 international organisations. Individual participating agencies make their best efforts to implement CEOS recommendations. The main goal of CEOS is to ensure that critical scientific questions relating to Earth observation and global change are covered and that satellite missions do not unnecessarily overlap each other. What is CEOS?A Quick Reminder

3. The three primary objectives of CEOS are as follows: to optimise benefits of spaceborne Earth observations through cooperation of its participants in mission planning and in development of compatible data products, formats, services, applications, and policies; to serve as a focal point for international coordination of space-related Earth observation activities; and to exchange policy and technical information to encourage complementarity and compatibility of observation and data exchange systems. CEOS Vision

4. CEOS Structure www.ceos.org

5. Principal international coordination mechanism dedicated to harmonising civil EO satellite programmes Working Groups to investigate specific areas of interest, co-operation and co-ordination Focus for Members viz. international programmes, policies and political drivers (e.g. UNFCC, WSSD) Works closely with partners in IGOS-P and other international coordination mechanisms (e.g. CGMS, UN COPUOS) Unites government providers of satellite EO missions with users to enhance the utility and benefits of these data globally CEOS Strengths

6. CEOS Chairmanship Timetable • At the 2004 CEOS Plenary (November 16th – 17th ) in Beijing the Chinese handed over chairmanship of CEOS to the UK • The UK will chair CEOS up to November 2005 culminating in the UK Plenary in London • At the UK Plenary the chairmanship will be handed over to Argentina Colin Hicks (BNSC) and Minister Xu Guanhua (MOST/NRSC) Past & Current CEOS Chairs

7. CEOS Activities 2005

8. UK will also co-chair the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS). Until May 2005 the co-chair will be the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and thereafter the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) IGOS is a strategic planning process, involving a number of partners, that links research, long-term monitoring and operational programmes, as well as data producers and users, in a structure that helps determine observation gaps and identify the resources to fill observation needs Additional Responsibilities of the CEOS Chair

9. What has the CEOS Year got in Store for the UK • 12 short months • Revision of CEOS 5 Year Plan • Progress of CEOS into GEO • Guidance and Support from Working Groups • Linkages to other international activities • UK Themes • Building on firm foundations from NRSCC Chair • Confident steps towards November 2005

10. 2005 - Opportunity to Realise CEOS Vision • Opportunity for UK to take a prominent role in the international Earth Observation arena and to develop and highlight UK interests. However: • A defining force during the year will be the Group on Earth Observation (GEO) 10 year implementation plan due to be delivered during EU Space Week in early February 2005. • This will set the scene for future cooperation and coordination by defining its Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), driven from a political perspective • Both CEOS and IGOS will need to carefully position themselves to play a major role • The UK as CEOS chair will therefore be a major coordinating factor within both CEOS and IGOS to ensure that both are accepted within the GEO framework.

11. As is customary during the CEOS chairs term of office, “Themes” of particular interest to his organisation are identified. Currently identified “Themes” proposed and supported by BNSC and some of its Partners include: GEO– as important in a national perspective as well as international Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Management – both of these areas the UK have been proactively pursuing activities – DMC and more recently within Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) – RESPOND project Environmental Monitoring – An area driven by science, operational and legal requirements (Kyoto Protocol) UK Themes

12. Aimed at engaging the most appropriate source of technical expertise to represent the UK in a number of specific international working groups and committees. Provide a platform from which the UK can exert influence in International committees. Disseminate and exploit information obtained. ICP2 Goals

13. Remit of Relevant Organisations Others GEO WSSD UN AG AGI GSDI (ISCGM) GMES ISO ISPRS IGOS-P CEOS OGC Operational Information Systems Recommendations to Space Agencies Commercial Standards International Standards Proceedings & Books Improved EO-based services and infrastructure enabling their integration into the "information market”. High priority areas Other organisation of interest

14. Organisation Components Others GEO WSSD UN AG AGI GSDI (ISCGM) GMES ISO ISPRS IGOS-P CEOS OGC Technical Committees WGCV WGISS etc. Themes: Oceans Carbon Water etc WGs & SIGs 7 Technical Commissions Subgroups TC211 TC20/SC13 CCSDS Workshops Conferences Test Beds Pilot Projects Panels Operational Information Systems Recommendations to Space Agencies Commercial Standards International Standards Proceedings & Books Improved EO-based services and infrastructure enabling their integration into the "information market”. High priority areas Other organisation of interest Activities of particular interest

15. In practice, ICP2 support activities are broken down into 4 main areas: CEOS Support More support here as this is where the technical developments take place. These have immediate exploitation value. Particular support for WGISS & WGCV Global Initiatives Support GMES, IGOS, UN AT, WSSD etc. The new GEO Implementation Plan may also require support Also support for BNSC while Chair of CEOS CCSDS Support Maintains links with general Space Standards developments Exploitation Projects Opportunity for practical developments ICP2 Support Activities

16. ICP2 Website (www.icp2.net)

17. BNSC needs to maintain awareness and influence where possible UK is CEOS Chair during important international developments ICP2 supports a broad range of international EO activities, particular linkage with CEOS ICP2 provides direct support to Industry and Academia for technical developments through small Exploitation Projects All this helps ensure UK stays at leading edge of international developments to obtain maximum UK benefit NCAVEO has a potential role to play Conclusion

18. www.ceos.org www.icp2.net BNSC is developing a Web page linked to the CEOS & IGOS Websites providing information on UK activities over the coming year www.bnsc.gov.uk

19. Consultants User Feedback QinetiQ Sub - Meeting Contractors Reports International Activities Dissemination Work Plan Strategy Web- Email Forum Conference & Briefing Workshops Quarterly Site Documents presentations Progress Presentations Reports etc. Annual Activities Report BNSC Value End-Users Adders Dissemination & Feedback www.icp2.net

20. Identify and prioritise appropriate international activities and meetings that should be supported by BNSC. Identify and contract with UK experts to attend, contribute to and report on international meetings. Disseminate the information obtained through a selection of diverse routes including reports, meetings/workshops, web pages etc. Support small technical projects aimed at exploiting international developments for the benefit of the UK. Continuously evaluate benefits of supporting individual activities. ICP2 Overall Strategy

21. Help industry and academia keep aware of, and exploit, international developments in EO. Keeps the UK at the leading edge. Prevents “blind alley” activities. Assists with winning associated work. Allows the UK to contribute to international developments. Promotes UK expertise. Assists with winning associated work. Maintains the UK profile as a significant international player. Allows UK to influence international strategy. Promotes the use of EO. Improves the return on UK investment in EO. Efficient means for focussing UK resources ICP2 UK Benefits