committee on earth observation satellites (ceos) response to gcos implementation plan

WOAP MeetingJRC Ispra, 28-30 August, 2006

Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) Response to GCOS Implementation PlanJ.-L. FELLOUSOn behalf of ESA – Chair of CEOS Strategic Implementation Team and B. Ryan (USGS) leader of GCOS-IP Response Team

WOAP MeetingJRC Ispra, 28-30 August 2006

Content

CEOS – Background and objectives GCOS Monitoring Principles CEOS Response to GCOS-IP

Status report on approach and schedule Content (draft) of Report to COP-12

The way forward beyond COP-12 CEOS Virtual Constellations concept


CEOS – Background

CEOS was established in 1984 to improve cooperation in satellite Earth Observation

Today it has a membership of 25 space agencies, plus 20 international organisations as Associates

CEOS delivers on its objectives through: Its Working Groups WGCV (Calibration/Validation), WGISS

(Information Systems and Services) and WGEdu (Education and Capacity Building)

Its Strategic Implementation Team (SIT) A core agency Secretariat.


CEOS – Membership

Membership: ASI, BNSC, CAST, CNES, CONAE, CSA, CSIRO, DLR, EC,

ESA, EUMETSAT, GISTDA, INPE, ISRO, KARI, JAXA, NASA, NASDRA, NOAA, NRSCC, NSAU, ROSHYDROMET, ROSAVIAKOSMOS, SNSB & USGS

Associates CCRS, CRI, ESCAP, FAO, GCOS, GOOS, GTOS, ICSU,

IGBP, IOC, IOCCG, ISPRS, NSC, OSTC, SAC/CSIR, UNESCO, UNEP, UNOOSA, WCRP & WMO


CEOS – Objectives

1. To optimise the benefits of spaceborne Earth observation through cooperation of its Members in mission planning and in the development of compatible data products, formats, services, applications and policies;

2. To aid both its Members and the international user community by inter alia, serving as the focal point for international coordination of space-related Earth observation activities, including those related to global change;

3. To exchange policy and technical information to encourage complementarity and compatibility among spaceborne Earth observation systems currently in service or development, and the data received from them; issues of common interest across the spectrum of Earth observation satellite missions will be addressed.


GCOS Climate Monitoring Principles

Effective monitoring systems for climate should adhere to the following principles:1. The impact of new systems or changes to existing systems should be assessed prior to

implementation.2. A suitable period of overlap for new and old observing systems should be required.3. The results of calibration, validation and data homogeneity assessments, and

assessments of algorithm changes, should be treated with the same care as data.4. A capacity to routinely assess the quality and homogeneity of data on extreme events,

including high-resolution data and related descriptive information, should be ensured.5. Consideration of environmental climate-monitoring products and assessments, such as

IPCC assessments, should be integrated into national, regional and global observing priorities.

6. Uninterrupted station operations and observing systems should be maintained.7. A high priority should be given to additional observations in data-poor regions and

regions sensitive to change.8. Long-term requirements should be specified to network designers, operators and

instrument engineers at the outset of new system design and implementation.9. The carefully-planned conversion of research observing systems to long-term operations

should be promoted.10. Data management systems that facilitate access, use and interpretation should be

included as essential elements of climate monitoring systems.


Satellite-specificClimate Monitoring Principles (1) Furthermore, satellite systems for monitoring climate need to:

Take steps to make radiance calibration, calibration-monitoring and satellite-to-satellite cross-calibration of the full operational constellation a part of the operational satellite system; and

Take steps to sample the Earth system in such a way that climate-relevant (diurnal, seasonal, and long-term inter-annual) changes can be resolved.

Thus satellite systems for climate monitoring should adhere to the following specific principles:

1. Constant sampling within the diurnal cycle (minimizing the effects of orbital decay and orbit drift) should be maintained.

2. A suitable period of overlap for new and old satellite systems should be ensured for a period adequate to determine inter-satellite biases and maintain the homogeneity and consistency of time-series observations.

3. Continuity of satellite measurements (i.e., elimination of gaps in the long-term record) through appropriate launch and orbital strategies should be ensured.


Satellite-specificClimate Monitoring Principles (2)5. Rigorous pre-launch instrument characterization and calibration, including

radiance confirmation against an international radiance scale provided by a national metrology institute, should be ensured.

6. On-board calibration adequate for climate system observations should be ensured and associated instrument characteristics monitored.

7. Operational production of priority climate products should be sustained and peer-reviewed new products should be introduced as appropriate.

8. Data systems needed to facilitate user access to climate products, meta-data and raw data, including key data for delayed-mode analysis, should be established and maintained.

9. Use of functioning baseline instruments that meet the calibration and stability requirements stated above should be maintained for as long as possible, even when these exist on de-commissioned satellites.

10. Complementary in situ baseline observations for satellite measurements should be maintained through appropriate activities and cooperation.

11. Random errors and time-dependent biases in satellite observations and derived products should be identified.


Who adheres to GCMPs?

The ten basic principles were adopted by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) through decision 5/CP.5 at COP-5 in November 1999.

The complete set of principles was adopted by the Congress of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) through Resolution 9 (Cg-XIV) in May 2003.

The satellite-specific principles were agreed by the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) at its 17th Plenary in November 2003.

They were further adopted through decision 11/CP.9 at COP-9 in December 2003.


A simple experiment

Ask the Project Manager of a recent satellite mission of climate relevance (e.g., Calipso or Cloudsat) whether He/She has ever heard about GCMPs? His/Her project has ever been subject to

evaluation/review with regard to compliance with GCMPs?

This does not necessarily mean non-compliance, but it shows that NO MECHANISM IS IN PLACE


COP-10 Decision onResearch and Systematic Observation … 5. Invites Parties that support space agencies involved in

global observations to request these agencies to provide a coordinated response to the needs expressed in the GCOS Implementation Plan

…

Response planned for SBSTA at COP 12,

November 2006


CEOS Responseto GCOS Implementation Plan A preliminary response to GCOS-IP proposing

an overall approach was submitted to UNFCCC COP-11 in Montreal (November 2005).

A CEOS-GCOS expert meeting was held in Geneva on January 9-11, 2006, where specific requirements re: Essential Climate Variables as observed from space were outlined.

A GCOS-IP Satellite Supplement V.1 was subsequently released in early March 2006.


GCOS Implementation Plan –Satellite supplement V.1 GCOS Climate Monitoring Principles

Sampling, continuity, overlap, calibration, etc. Cross-cutting actions

Integrated products, reprocessing, reanalysis, archiving, etc. 28 Essential Climate Variables

Atmosphere: Surface wind speed and direction, upper air temperature, water vapour, cloud properties, precipitation, ERB, ozone, aerosols, CO2, CH4 and other GHGs

Ocean: Sea ice, sea level, SST, ocean colour, sea state, salinity Land: lakes area, level and temperature, glaciers, ice caps and ice

sheets, snow cover, albedo, land cover, fAPAR, LAI, biomass, fire disturbances, soil moisture

Types of requirements Reprocessing of past records, provision of archived data sets,

requirements for future missions, cal/val issues


CEOS Response to GCOS-IP –Next steps CEOS SIT-18 (Frascati, March 21-22) approved the

proposed approach to prepare detailed responses from space agencies to GCOS-IP.

CEOS WGISS and WGCV were instructed to evaluate the tasks associated with GCOS-IP.

A Climate Task Team led by Barbara Ryan (USGS) was designated, and a second CEOS/GCOS Workshop was convened in Geneva on May 22-24.

GCOS Secretariat released on August 17 a draft Version 2.0 of the Satellite Supplement (“GCOS-107”) incorporating changes from broad community review.


CEOS Response to GCOS-IP – Current status The Climate Task Team included

CEOS experts – Cross-cutting and strategic issues Domain experts – Atmosphere (P. Menzel et al.), Ocean (J.L.

Fellous, E. Lindstrom et al.), Land (J. Townshend et al.)– from CEOS agencies and GCOS Panels.

As we speak the final draft is being reviewed by Climate Task Team and will be presented for final review and approval to SIT-19 (La Jolla, 19-20 September) before formal submission to SBSTA (through the USA delegation).


Content of CEOS Response

CEOS Response will include What can be achieved by better coordination of existing

capabilities or in planning future capabilities Immediate responses (e.g., reprocessing of past data

sets, improvement of data availability for reanalysis) Plans for improved coordination of future missions,

through the establishment of “Virtual Constellations” Those improvements that require additional means or

mandates beyond the present capacity of space agencies (e.g., the issue of transferring systems from research to operational status – “Crossing the Valley of Death”).


Table of Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... 3 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 4

1.1 Purpose of This Report ......................................................................................................... 4 5 1.2 Background........................................................................................................................... 4

2. Satellite Observations for Climate: Products and Requirements................................................... 5 2.1 GCOS Principles, Requirements, and Recommendations .................................................... 7 2.2 The Current Framework for Provision of Satellite Earth Observations ............................... 8 2.3 The Virtual Constellations Concept...................................................................................... 9 10

3. Domain-Specific Responses to the GCOS IP and Recommended Actions................................... 9 3.1 Atmospheric Domain............................................................................................................ 9

3.1.1 CEOS Responses............................................................................................................ 10 3.1.2 Recommendations and Related Actions......................................................................... 10

3.2 Oceanic Domain ................................................................................................................. 12 15 3.2.1 Responses ....................................................................................................................... 12 3.2.2 Recommendations and Related Actions......................................................................... 13

3.3 Terrestrial Domain.............................................................................................................. 16 3.3.1 Responses ....................................................................................................................... 16 3.3.2 Recommendations and Related Actions......................................................................... 17 20

4. Actions Related to the GCOS Cross-Cutting Needs ................................................................... 19 5. The Way Forward........................................................................................................................ 26 Appendix 1: The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) .............................................. 30 Appendix 2: Atmospheric Domain—Provision and Adequacy of CEOS Capabilities....................... 31 Appendix 3: Oceanic Domain—Provision and Adequacy of CEOS Capabilities .............................. 36 25 Appendix 4: Terrestrial Domain—Provision and Adequacy of CEOS Capabilities........................... 38 Appendix 4: The Importance of Consistent Calibration and Validation............................................. 46 Appendix 5: List of Acronyms............................................................................................................ 47

Table of Contents


Recommendation OCEAN-2 (O.2 ECV Sea Level): ensure continuity of high-accuracy altimetry missions. A series of dedicated high-accuracy altimetry missions has been operated continuously

since 1992 (TOPEX/Poseidon, then Jason-1), complemented for geographical coverage by the polar-orbiting ERS-1, ERS-2, ENVISAT and Geosat follow-on; this continuity will be secured (though with little chance of overlap with Jason-1) with the planned launch of Jason-2 in mid-2008, but there is currently no firm plan beyond this.

The time series of dedicated high-accuracy altimetry missions must be continued beyond 2012 and complemented by other altimeter data from polar-orbiting platforms.

Action O.2.1: NOAA and EUMETSAT will lead a CEOS study team to establish, by 2007, the basis for a future Ocean Surface Topography Virtual Constellation that satisfies the threshold requirements for the sea level ECV (and those of the sea state ECV). This will include consideration of a future Jason-3 mission, and of requirements for new altimeter technologies to improve spatial resolution and extend observations in coastal regions (and over lakes and rivers for the lakes ECV).

Action O.2.2: CNES and ISRO will cooperate on a new polar-orbiting altimeter aimed at filling a potential data gap beyond 2008. ESA and European Union (EU) will lead planning for Sentinel-3 to complement spatial/temporal coverage of the sea level (and sea state) ECVs beyond 2012.

Examples (draft) of recommendationand actions (1)



Recommendation OCEAN-7 (O.7 ECV Ocean Reanalysis): ensure the optimal utilization of data already collected for all ocean ECVs. For all ocean ECVs, reprocessing of past data sets must be undertaken at regular intervals

and their utilization for ocean reanalysis must be facilitated through framework agreements between CEOS agencies and reanalysis centres.

Action O.7.1: CEOS agencies will undertake planning for reprocessing past data to improve FCDRs and legacy databases (e.g., AVHRR Pathfinder, Sea Level Pathfinder, and the sea ice ECV) in close coordination and partnership with existing advisory groups and reanalysis centres.

Action O.7.3: CEOS, through its Working Group on Calibration and Validation and in the context of developing standards for the Virtual Constellations, will recommend best practices for pre-launch and on-board calibration of ocean sensors and for validation of space-based ocean observations with in situ sensors, including the establishment and maintenance on calibration and validation sites and networks.

Action O.7.2: CEOS agencies, in cooperation with other partners, will support planning for a follow-on to the successful Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment (GODAE) by 2007.



C.5 International coordination of reanalysis activities Strengthen links between space agencies and the major reanalysis centres, e.g., through the GCOS Observing Panels for Climate and the WCRP Observations and Assimilation Panel, to ensure clear specification of current and future needs for reprocessed satellite datasets, and to feed experience back to space agencies on the quality of satellite datasets. The requirements for datasets for reanalysis will be refined by this process. Action 1: Recognising that space agencies are responsible for only a portion of the value chain involved in the generation of FCDRs, CEOS will explore how to strengthen linkages to the communities involved in climate product generation and use. Engagement of the key user and product generation communities in the proposed CEOS “Virtual Constellation” studies would be an immediate step in the right direction, and CEOS intends in the Virtual Constellations to seek active participation from user communities. Action 2: CEOS agencies will fund climate change research at an adequate level for multiple groups to analyze data records, reprocess climate variables, and perform reanalysis. Particular to the oceanic domain, the Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment (GODAE)—initiated by the Ocean Observation Panel for Climate (OOPC) and CEOS—has been extremely successful in demonstrating the value of improved assimilation of space-based observations into state-of-the-art climate models.



CEOS recognises that the UNFCCC needs for satellite observations detailed in the GCOS IP, its supplement (GCOS-107), and the GCMPs are well-judged and technically feasible but very challenging in terms of needs for a sustained and coordinated response. The needs represent a unique incentive for space agencies to improve the way in which multi-agency cooperation on climate-related observations is prioritised, agreed, funded, implemented, and monitored. While this is a high 5 CEOS priority, such a top-down realignment of the global satellite Earth-observation community to better coordinate, design, operate, process, store, and distribute their measurements to satisfy the GCMPs will take time and political will, and the mandates of both operational and research agencies in this regard will need to be reconsidered. 10 Any improvements in provision of FCDRs from space must recognise the structural issues that dominate the sector. Research agencies do new things once; operational agencies do more or less the same things over and over. If continuity is to be assured, more climate variables need to be classified and recognised as operational, and made the responsibility of an operational agency. Alternatively, a convergence of research and operational requirements needs to occur—with reassignment of 15 responsibilities among existing agencies. Wherever possible, operational measurements should be specified so that they satisfy climate community stated needs.


CEOS Implementation Plan – Current status Work is underway, under the responsibility of a

dedicated Task Force, to define “the new CEOS process by which GEOSS requirements are addressed”.

The concept of “CEOS Virtual Constellations” has been put forward to help advance planning and coordination of future EO missions by CEOS agencies. The basic principles include: The definition of a series of standards A process for recognition/acceptance


The CEOS Virtual Constellations

This newly proposed concept is based on A series of standards – required to be satisfied for a

mission to be included in a Constellation serving a particular purpose

A process, whereby the many disparate types of Earth observing programmes funded by CEOS agencies might contribute to the supply of the required observations

A series of Prototype Constellations has been identified, each with a Lead Agency and potential contributors.


Prototype CEOS Constellations

Ocean Surface TopographyNOAA & EUMETSAT, ESA, CNES, ISRO,

NASASustaining a fundamental climate data record as per GEOSS 10 Year Implementation Plan and

ensuring continuity of service to operational and research users

Land Surface ImagingUSGS + MultipleCEOS agencies

Ensuring continuity of key land surface observations – including Landsat-class

observations – for multiple GEOSS Societal Benefit Areas, including Agriculture

Global PrecipitationJAXA, CAST/NRSCC,

ESA, NASA, etc.Addressing major observational requirements

from the GEOSS 10 Year Implementation Plan

Atmospheric ChemistryNASA + ESA + Multiple

CEOS agenciesContributing multiple Fundamental Climate Data Records to address major requirements from the

GEOSS 10 Year Implementation Plan


Next steps

September 8 Climate Task team to finish up its draft text

September 18-19 SIT-19 meeting, La Jolla, to approve CEOS Response to GCOS-IP

September 25 Transmission to COP-12 November 6-17 COP-12, Nairobi –

Presentation of CEOS Response to GCOS-IP at SBSTA by USA delegation

November 14-15 CEOS Plenary, Buenos Aires, to endorse the document

committee on earth observation satellites (ceos) response to gcos implementation plan

Documents

homogeneity of data

data homogeneity assessments

existing systems

highresolution data

data manag

old observing systems

wgiss information systems

impact of new systems