www.eohandbook.com COMMITTEE ON EARTH COMMITTEE SATELLITES OBSERVATION Earth Observation Handbook CEOS Earth Observation Handbook www.eohandbook.com arth observation activities; to optimise benefits of spaceborne Earth observations through cooperation of its Members 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 E to exchange policy and technical information to encourage complementarity and compatibility of observation and data exchange systems. EOS coordinates civil spaceborne observations of the Earth. Participating C agencies strive to address critical scientific questions and to harmonise satellite mission planning to address gaps and overlaps. CEOS has three primary objectives in pursuing this goal: • • • 2005 ESA © CEOS Secretariat Europe/Africa ESA – European Space Agency EUMETSAT – European Organisation for the 8-10, rue Mario Nikis Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites 75738 Paris Cedex 15 France Am Kavalleriesand 31 64295 Darmstadt +33 1 5369 7707 (voice) Germany +33 1 5369 7286 (fax) +49 6151 807 603 (voice) [email protected] +49 6151 807 555 (fax) [email protected] North and South America NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric 300 E Street, SW Administration Washington, DC 20546 1335 East-West Highway USA 20910-3226 Silver Spring, MD USA +1 202 358 1622 (voice) +1 202 358 2798 (fax) +1 301 713-2024 (voice) +1 301 713-2032 (fax) [email protected] [email protected] Asia Pacific MEXT/JAXA Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology / Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Earth Observation Research Center (EORC) Harumi Triton Square X-tower 23F 1-8-10 Harumi, Chuoku, Tokyo, JAPAN +81 3 6221 9139 (voice) +81 3 6221 9180 (fax) [email protected] [email protected] Researched and written by: www.symbioscomms.com Designed and produced by: www.beaucroft.co.uk Contents Foreword Introduction Part I: Global environmental issues & the role for Earth observations 1 What on Earth is going on? 2 2 Towards a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) 7 3 The important role of satellite Earth observations – and CEOS 14 4 Future challenges: from science to services 20 Part II: Case studies – information for societal benefit 5 Case studies 24 Disaster Mitigation 25 Human Health and Well-Being 31 Energy Resource Management 35 Climate Change 39 Water Resource Management 44 Weather Forecasting 49 Conserving Ecosystems and Biodiversity 53 Sustainable Agriculture 57 Part III: Earth observation satellite capabilities & plans 6 Capabilities of Earth observation satellites 66 7 Earth observation plans: by measurement 82 8 Catalogue of satellite missions 123 9 Catalogue of satellite instruments 157 Annexes A Further information on CEOS 203 B CEOS involvement in IGOS 207 C Abbreviations 210 Foreword 2005 marks a milestone in this co-operation process with the establishment of an international mechanism to manage the implementation of a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) – which represents a political commitment to move toward development of “a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained Earth observation system”. Such ambitions are inconceivable without the measurement capabilities offered by the Earth observation satellite programmes being planned by the world’s space agencies. The major aim of CEOS is to achieve international coordination in the planning of these programmes and to maximise utilisation of their data – in order to effectively address the most critical requirements. I hope that the CEOS Earth Observation Handbook will continue to serve as a valuable reference source for a variety of readers, including those with needs in Earth System research, and decision-makers in political and socio-economic sectors. I further hope that it can help improve optimisation of the overall observation It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the Committee strategy, which is central to our future success. on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), to present the 2005 Edition of the CEOS Earth Observation Handbook, prepared by the European Space Agency (ESA). The report presents the main capabilities of satellite Earth observations, their applications, and a systematic overview of present and planned Earth observation satellite missions and their instruments. It also explores society’s increasing need for information on our planet. As humanity exceeds the planet’s capacity to sustain us, Volker Liebig such information is playing a vital role in Director of Earth Observation Programmes understanding, monitoring, managing and mitigating key European Space Agency Earth System processes. This is true on a global scale, in support of improved global environmental governance and the underlying conventions and treaties (such as the Kyoto Protocol), and on regional and national scales, as countries adapt competitively to shrinking reserves of natural resources and to the basic needs of expanding populations. Earth System information may be considered as the essential foundation for sustainable development policies aimed at ensuring our continued health and prosperity. The nature of climate change issues presents special challenges in terms of the need for global information and data on key planetary indicators – which can provide the information required for governments and policy makers to make well-informed decisions. Recognising that no single country can satisfy all of the observational requirements which are necessary for monitoring of the Earth System, governments are taking steps to harmonise and integrate their observing networks and satellite observing systems to be able to address common problems of global concern. Introduction The 2005 CEOS Earth Observation Handbook explores Part II presents a number of case studies (section 5) to society’s increasing need for information on our planet, illustrate the use of Earth observation satellites being the essential foundation for sustainable supporting the provision of information for societal development policies aimed at ensuring our continued benefit in key areas. health and prosperity in the face of man-made climate Part III of the Handbook summarises Earth observation change, population growth, and degradation of our satellite capabilities and plans, including a description natural environment. of the various types of satellite missions and It explains the important role of Earth observation instruments and their applications (section 6). For those satellite programmes in fulfilling those information interested in particular measurements (e.g. of ‘ozone’ or needs. It presents the current status and plans for future ‘ocean temperature’), section 7 provides details of 26 Earth observation satellite programmes of governments different parameters and the plans for their observation world-wide, through their national and regional space during the coming decades. Sections 8 & 9 contain agencies, and describes how the data and information catalogues of satellite missions and instruments which they supply relate to some of society’s most respectively. pressing needs for information on Earth System The annexes include: processes and our interaction with them. A Further information on CEOS The role of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), as the body with responsibility for B CEOS involvement in IGOS co-ordination of government-funded satellite C Abbreviations programmes world-wide, is explained, including in relation to plans now underway for implementation of a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). It is hoped that this report will prove to be a valuable source of information concerning the possible application and value of the data and information from Earth observation satellites. It should be of interest to a wide range of groups: those with responsibility for national/international development policy; those responsible for programmes with requirements for observations to enable understanding of our environment and its processes; and those needing information for decision-making in many socio-economic sectors. It is further hoped that this report will be of educational value, helping to explain some of the techniques and technologies underlying satellite Earth observation and making the subject as accessible as possible to the lay- person who would like to investigate further. As an up-to-date and comprehensive compilation of CEOS agency plans, the report provides a handy reference source of information on current and future civil Earth observation programmes. It also provides details of points of contact within CEOS and lists relevant internet information sources for those requiring more information. Part I of the Handbook discusses the Earth System and highlights current concerns and trends (section 1). It explains the ongoing development of the GEOSS (section 2) and the important role for satellite Earth observations and for CEOS (section 3). Future challenges are discussed in section 4. Part I: Global environmental issues & the role for Earth observations 1 1 What on Earth is going on? 1.1 Introduction Until very recently in the history of Earth, humans and their activities have been an insignificant force in the Parts II and III of this document explain the capabilities dynamics of the Earth System. From the start of the and contribution of more than 150 satellites planned by industrial revolution more than 200 years ago,