Significance of earth observation for Switzerland. Edited by: Kellenberger, T W; Borgeaud , M; Frei, U; Holecz , F; Itten, K I; Mätzler , C; Streilein , A; Wunderle , S. Zürich, CH, 2008. Postprint available at: http://www.zora.uzh.ch University of Zurich Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich. Zurich Open Repository and Archive http://www.zora.uzh.ch Originally published at:

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Year: 2008

Significance of earth observation for Switzerland

Significance of earth observation for Switzerland. Edited by: Kellenberger, T W; Borgeaud , M; Frei, U; Holecz , F; Itten, K I; Mätzler , C; Streilein , A; Wunderle , S. Zürich, CH, 2008. Postprint available at: http://www.zora.uzh.ch

Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich. http://www.zora.uzh.ch

Originally published at: Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland

Report of the

Swiss Commission for Remote Sensing SCRS Schweizerische Kommission für Fernerkundung SKF

Member of the Swiss Academy of Sciences SCNAT

2008 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 2 Edited by: Edited SCNATSciences of Academy Swiss the of Member SKF Fernerkundung für Kommission Schweizerische SCRS Sensing Remote for Commission Swiss Publisher: Impressum Printing: Layout: Proofreading: with: collaboration In

Edubook AG, Merenschwand AG, Edubook Schaffhausen SteinmannvisuelleGestaltung, Zürich of University – RSL Schubert, A. Bern of University – RSRG Wunderle, S. swisstopo Streilein, A. Bern of Mätzler,University C. – IAP Zürich of University – RSL Itten, K. F.S.A. sarmap Holecz, SER Division, Affairs Space Frei, U. EPFL – Center Space Borgeaud, M. T.Zürich of Kellenberger,University – RSL es (SCNAT). (SCNAT). es Scienc- of Academy Swiss the within institutions research sensing remote of union scientific the is SCRS (SCRS). Sensing Remote for Commission Swiss the of position the represents report This education are considered. and industry from and offices federal the from actors from ofthe field research and development, major All framework. international the into ities mation about the incorporation of Swiss EO activ for,significance Switzerland. It also provides infor their and in, activities Observation Earth of view The aim of this report is to give an up-to-date over structure. ing to maintain and operate the observation infra- ment at international level for a sustainable fund continued availability, commit- and hence on the its on depend course, of will, data EO of use al operationdemonstrated.- future being rentlyThe cur is and years many forproven been has tions applica- operational for potential their but level research the at still are domains these of Many ciers), landslide detection or topographic mapping. climate monitoring (e.g. clouds, air pollution, gla prediction, weather as such fields, many in used being are data Observation Earth Switzerland, In spectrum. electromagnetic the of segments various the in nature global and regional local, of new observations also but tions, requesting not only continuity of current - observa are communities user growing Constantly use). applied or research for private, or (public areas diverse most the in groups user many by used be can observations such from resulting data The resolution. spatial and temporal high with scales local to global at environment the of monitoring and methods offers the possibility for a permanent Observation Earth (EO) using remote sensing tools 2006]. [GEO understanding.’ this advancing to critical are system Earth the of Observations ter losses, and achieving sustainable development. disas- reducing environment, global the tecting poverty,pro- including suffering human viating enhancing human health, safety and welfare, alle- to crucial is system Earth the ‘Understanding I Summary ------• • • • • recommends: SCRS the reality, into vision this turn to order In opment’. devel- service and application research, in vation Obser Earth for place competitive and attractive of strategic importance – and – because Observation Earth has become a tool Switzerland’, of development prosperous and ble sustaina- a for knowledge and information vides elements: two of consists The vision as formulated by the SCRS in this report

to foster training, education and research, and needs, andto make easily data available; to awareness increase the to EOdata; Swisscore competences;op corresponding to intensify international cooperation. the gramme; to create and implement a national EO pro- EO national a implement and create to to identify relevant niche EO sectors and devel- to ensure observations according to users’ to according observations ensure to ‘Switzerland remains an ‘ Earth Observation pro- Observation Earth -

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 3 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 4 t II I. t II. III. 1 1.1 1.2

1.3 he Current State of of State Current the 2 2.1 2.2

2.2.1 2.4 2.3 2.2.3 2.2.2

2.4.1

2.4.2

2.6 2.5 2.7 2.6.2 2.6.1

Summary Foreword Introduction Report? Whythis Remote Sensing and and RemoteSensing Observation Earth Report the of Structure Earth Observation Earth Observation Earth of Relevance Coordination of Earth Observation Observation Earth of Coordination in Switzerland in Committees and CoordinationPolitical Earth Observation Research Research Observation Earth Collaboration International its and Switzerland Trade and Industry Science and Research and Developmentand Current State of Research ResearchState of Current and Developmentand Entities Active in Activein Entities Development and Research Earth Observation in Switzerland in Observation Earth The Swiss Space Industry Active Industry Space Swiss The Offices Federal Swiss The Education in Earth Observation Observation Earth in Education Value-adding The Industry Industry Hardware The Observation Earth in in Switzerland in able of Contents of able able of Contents of able 13 13 10 10 10 18 18 17 14 17 17 3 4 5 7 9 7 8 8 9 9 9 3 2.7.2 2.7.1 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.3.1 3.3.2 3.4

4 4.1

4.2 5 IV. V.

for Switzerland for Observation Earth of Benefits UniversityLevelat Teaching Observation Earth Schools Secondary at Teaching Observation Earth Research and Developmentand Research Offices Federal Industry Industry Hardware Value-adding Industry Education in Remote Sensing RemoteSensing in Education and EO and Vision Earth Observation at the the at Observation Earth Service of Switzerland of Service Observation Earth in PlayerStrong a – Switzerland Recommendations References List of List and Abbreviations cronyms Acronyms 20 22 25 28 29 20 20 20 20 23 23 19 21 21 18 45 questionnaires. over reached turnaround The industry. space the universities), federalservice companiesoffices, and Swiss all (including institutes research Swiss eral Observation. Among the inquired entities were sev- Earth and sensing remote tackling entities Swiss to 2007 in distributed questionnaire, a of ground back the on report the prepared authors The ty ofBern). UniversiDr.(RSRGWunderle– (swisstopo)and S. - Streilein Dr.A. Bern), of University – (IAP Mätzler Dr. K. Itten (RSL – University of Zürich), Prof. Dr. C. Prof. S.A.), (sarmap Holecz F.Dr. SER), Division, Affairs (Space Frei U.Dr. EPFL), – Center (Space Borgeaud M. Dr.to go thanks Special document. this of preparation the in participated who those all to thanks my extend to like would I SCRS. the of group author an by prepared was report This (SCNAT). Sciences of Academy Swiss the within institutions research sensing remote of union ic scientif- the Sensing, Remote for Commission Swiss the of position the represents report This Observation. sensing andEarth remote of field important the in potential and needs Swiss the support to context international and national on activities their multiplexing and strengthening in - industry and entities research - makers politicians, decision supports report The industry. and community research users, Swiss the for benefits the identifies and methods ing sens- remote with Switzerland in Observation Earth of art the of state the describes report This [CFAS, 1995]. Fernerkundung, 1987]dinationsgruppe and 1995 whose last issues were published in 1987/88 [Koor of ‘Significance Observation Earth for Switzerland’ the on report the of edition new the forrequest III expressed at its meeting on 30 June 2006 a strong 2006 June 30 on meeting its at expressed The Swiss Commission for Remote Sensing (SCRS) Foreword - -

Zürich, June2008–TobiasZürich, W. Kellenberger Switzerland. in Observation Earth and sensing remote of application and development research, the promote and fosterto mendations Commission for Remote Sensing formulates recom- Based on included findings in this report, the Swiss ety. soci- and economy politics, in EO of significance the and well, rather Observation Earth in actors in scope but the position it of reflects major Swiss broad is report this Therefore ‘visions’. and efits’ tion’) addressing the current ‘state-of-the-art’, ‘ben- ment’ R&D, ‘Federal‘Industry’ and ‘Educa- Offices, Develop- and (‘Research groups actor main four to respect with report the in contributions and viewpoints various the incorporated authors The

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 5 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 6 1 repetitive observations. only means for ensuring global, homogeneous and the among are Satellite data scale. global a on lar works (ground-based, in-situ, airborne), in - particu net- measurement other the complement to tant been proven that satellite measurements are impor these challenges. For climate change, it has already addressing in role key a plays Observation Earth • • • • • even ourpoliticalsystem, are driven which by: es regarding our environment, our economies and It is clear that we are facing a number of challeng- documentalsoapply toin this Switzerland. ling activities. Most of the recommendations listed model- of development the and instrumentation the both in expertise space European fosterto es data, and the development of innovative - approach infrastructure needed to handle and assimilate the systemthe science, Earth in keyaddressingissues missions space new linkedto particularly the is It tions that should be addressed in the years to come. deals with the most important ques-Earth-science programme This 2006]. [ESA, Programme Planet Living its for challenges scientific new the tified The European Space Agency (ESA) has recently iden- ronment. remote areas but also to detect changes in our envi- of improvemapping surface, Earth’s the of erties prop- map forecasts,improve weatherto data ing provid- and Earth the orbiting are sensors diverse with satellites of number large reality.A become [Verne, 1865fiction 1869].and Fictionhas Science science was which Lune’ ‘Autourla and de Lune’ la à Terre la ‘De tales (1828-1905)Verne the wrote ical contact with it. Some hundred years later Jules information about an object without being in phys - of acquisition the for introduced techniquewas a from Earth above [Galilei, 1632]. For time, the first machines, which would have given us a view of the flight for ideas first (1564-1642) the ilei outlined other as well as to their surroundings. Galileo Gal- componentshowits understandingrelate to each the ambition to survey his habitat, with the aim of had always has mankind memory, living Within natural andman-madedisasters population growth biodiversity changes limited resources climate change Introduction - access to Earth Observation data for data Observation access to users. Earth of guaranteeing straightforward and cost-effective ening the environment for Observation Earth and Europe and in the world - are in charge of strength The political bodies at all levels - in Switzerland, in do. Switzerland of relations commercial nor tific at national borders, as neither the political, scien- stop not does Observation Earth future. the in ed extend- and preserved be to needs that nificance sig- of level a reached has topics, economic and products for all these aspects, and even ecological and data Observation Earth of benefit The etc.). cooperation, development use, land and cover hydrology, vegetation analysis, air pollution, land and rapid defence, mapping, (security authorities cantonal and federal and mapping) topographic le etc.),Earth, industrial users (resource mapping, Goog- products, map forecast,(weather citizen al individu the community,from broad a by used simultaneously be may data Observation Earth aswell. arefunding structures changing international importantly, the most but cations, appli- new developing to way their on are viders national programs have been founded. Service pro- Systemsing newinteroperationaland in use are – our perception is changing. Global Observ Earth through a big city in 3-D is an everyday occurrence flight virtual A interest. people’s draws naturally at towns, landscapes and regions from outer space Looking Earth. the of regions remotest tothe ally puter and students in schools are travelling- virtu com- personal every almost on installed is Wind World NASA or Earth Virtual Microsoft Earth, le Goog- as viewerssuch Data sets. data observation of store increasing an gathering systems, vation are launching their own satellites and Obser Earth ties as well as modestly-sized research institutions enti- private and national of number increasing an programs, satellite international to addition In increased. systems has sensor satellite and tion - Observa Earth of number The changes. dramatic Since then, both society and technology have faced A similar report was published in 1995 [CFAS, 1995]. in Switzerland. work, and a vision of the future of remote sensing of Swiss EO activities into the international frame - It also provides information about the integration country. our for significance their highlight and view of ObservationEarth activities in Switzerland The aim of this report is to give an up-to-date over 1.1 Why this report? this Why ------

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 7 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 8 1.3 1.2 • • • • sections: main following the into falls report The and information. data of assimilation as well as modelling, tation, methods comprises acquisition, processing, exploi- sensing remote with Observation Earth medium. and objects sensed the by,through propagated or scattered and reflected emitted,waves magnetic electro- of properties the of use making by forms from spaceborne, airborne and ground based plat- masses) land and Earth solid ocean, cryosphere, atmosphere, (including Earth the of sensing the in this report. The term Observation’ ‘Earth means ‘Earth Observation’ (EO) will be used synonymously and (RS) Sensing’ ‘Remote terms the clarity,For

In Chapter Four, the Earth Observation and Observation Earth Four,the Chapter In In Chapter Two the report outlines the cur the outlines report the Two Chapter In remote sensing actors of Switzerland, assem- Switzerland, of actors sensing remote and ‘Education’. and Development’, ‘Federal‘Industry’ Offices’, ‘Research sectors main four the of viewpoint of Observation Earth for Switzerland, from the benefits the on is Three Chapter of focus The national network andinvolvement isgiven. ObservationEarth activities, in brief the inter national the of organisation educational and industrial scientific, political, the of ground back the On Observation. Earth of state rent vation strategy.vation Obser Earth national a of vision vatedbythe ronmental and security applications and moti- tegicfor importanceenvi- particular in EO of tial forbenefits our society as well as the stra- in Switzerland, based on the actual and poten Observation Earth of state current the about knowledge the with formulated are dations recommen- The makers. decision to directed recommendations, the outlines Five Chapter future. Sensing (SCRS) present distinct visions for the Remote for Commission Swiss the in bled Structure of the Report the of Structure Observation Earth and Sensing Remote - - - - - 2.1 2 tral andspatialresolutions. temporal, various spec- at and regions spectral of local, regional or global nature, in a broad variety of Observation Earth on demands new placing munity is undergoing constant growth and keeps private, for research or applied use). The user com- or (public areas diverse most the in users diverse spatial resolution, as they can be used by the most ing global to local recording in good temporal and sive advantage of offering possibilities for an ongo- Remotely sensed observations Earth have the deci- development, etc. verification, sustainable monitoring, coastal use, land tion, protec - environmental of fields the in influence significant have that decisions government tant impor supports thus Observation security.Earth and defence to related issues on information ing information.playsIt importantan - obtain rolein of source most important the become already has EO domains many In system. Earth the of itoring improvedmon- an totributesand understanding con Observation Earth borders. national by ited a-biotic environment. ObservationEarth is not lim osphere, land and ocean domains of the biotic and ous applications scientific in the atmosphere, cry ral resource exploration, surveillance and numer monitoring,ronmental vegetation analysis, natu- envi and climateforecasting, weather including ers a diverse range of remote sensing applications, cov EO system. Earth the of observations based ments (aircraft- or satellite-based), but also ground- - instru Earth-looking remote from acquired data of exploitation and measurement acquisition, the as understoodgenerally is observation Earth he Current State of Earth Observation Earth of State Current The communities.’ [CEOS,2002] non-space the of priorities and cupations preoc- the addressing to contribute can it how exactly demonstrating to given be to needs attention careful and make, to tion that Observation Earth has a vital contribu show to necessary be will efforts Special environment and sustainable development. ers. This is especially true in relation to the yet been fully appreciated by decision-mak not has importance its though even ade, dec- past the over increased considerably has community space traditional the side out- observation Earth of relevance ‘The Observation Earth of Relevance ------remote sensing of the federal administration. It administration. federal the of sensing remote (IDA-FERN) Sensing Remote Group Working Interdepartmental The mation andcoordination. infor internal assuring while committee their of space policy. IKAR members represent the position national coherent a ensures and space for evant the implementation of governmental decisions rel- al Space Commission. Advisory Affairs It monitors Feder the of recommendations the account into taking positions, governmental prepares also It cooperation. interdepartmental and activities responsible for the coordination of national space is WeltraumfragenIKAR) für dinationsausschuss Koor (Interdepartementaler Issues Space for tee Commit- Coordination Interdepartmental The SwissESA delegation. SER leadsthe (IKAR, see below). The Space Division Affairs of the Issues Space forCommittee Coordination mental Interdepart- the chairs and EKWF Commission ry the secretariat of the Federal Space Adviso- Affairs sion (Swiss SSO) Space Office, Divi- Affairs Space the purpose, this For Council. Swiss space policy, which is decided by the Federal preparation, planning and implementation of the the with entrusted is affairs, space in involved offices federal other with co-operation in SER, Research and Education for Secretariat State The ofspacesystems.and users policy, industry, operators science and space ence posed of representatives of all relevant sectors: sci- com- is Weltraumfragencommission This EKWF). für Kommission (Eidgenössische Commission ry Adviso - Affairs Space Federal the by advised is It icy. lation and implementation of the Swiss space pol- Council Federal The 2.2.1 associations andprivate individuals. companies, industry and trade institutions, tion educa- and research offices, government of work net- a of consists Switzerland in sensing Remote 2.2 in Switzerland in Observation Earth of Coordination Committees and Coordination Political coordinates the interests in interests the coordinates is responsible for the formu - the for responsible is of the SER is running - - -

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 9 10 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland ing issues. missions. All of them are dedicated to remote sens- the ISPRS is accomplished by eight Technical Com of work technical and scientific The (ISPRS). ing Sens- Remote and Photogrammetry for Society al the of member national a is ciation in photogrammetry and remote sensing. The asso- applications and theory of development the ing Fernerkundung und Bildanalyse Photogrammetrie, für ellschaft Analysis and Remote Sensing (Schweizerische Ges The hardware industries. andvalue-adding both and (IDA-FERN) Sensing Remote Group ing tology (MeteoSwiss), Interdepartmentalthe Work topo), the Federalof MeteorologyOffice and Clima- Topography(swiss- of Office Federal the SER, the (representativesoffices of Space DivisionAffairs of federal the and (Empa, WSL) institutions research federal (Muttenz), science applied of university a federal institutes of technology (Zürich, Lausanne), versities (Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Zürich) and uni- Swiss from representatives includes Sensing Remote for commission The (SCNAT). Sciences of ing (SCRS), both commissions of the grouped in the (SCSR) Research Space on Commission Swiss the in isationally Observation is on the one hand represented organ- National Science Foundation (SNSF) the by government federal the through promotion the area, science and research the In 2.2.2 ment ofGeography, University (UZH). ofZürich and the Remote Sensing Laboratories (RSL), - Depart Topography(swisstopo) of Office Federal the by The duties of the NPOC are carried out in common images. satellite for centre archive and tribution (NPOC) Images Satellitefor Contact of Point National Swiss The such. interestedin are or activities sensing ownremote es and federal institutions are dealing either with - offic federal represented The efforts. operation co- new and synergies promotes and endeavours secures information exchange, prevents duplicate ws Scey o Poormer, Image Photogrammetry, for Society Swiss Research and Science and Research Swiss Commission for Remote Sens is the national information, dis- information, national the is SGPBF) and on the other hand specially hand other the on and is an association promot- association an is Swiss Academy and SER, Earth Internation- Swiss - - - - 2.3 Larger European countries such as Germany and and Germany as such countries European Larger companies. provider service Observation Earth of tungs-Dienstleister’ SED) - Erdbeobach Schweizer der (‘Gesellschaft Society Providers Service Observation Earth Swiss The (SwissMem). industries ing Engineer Electrical and Mechanical Swiss the of (SSIG), Group Industry Space Swiss the tor in the context of ESA contracts are members of Most of the Swiss industries active in the space sec- 2.2.3 federal office for the Swiss representation in representation Swiss the for office federal responsible the is Division, Affairs Space (SER), The State Secretariat for Education and Research applications. and missions operational of development the to ed dedicat- Watchelement Earth the (b) and sions, mis Explorer Earth the includes which ment, main components, (a) a science and research ele- The Living Planet Programme is divided into two programme. Component Space GMES the and Programme, joint programmes with EUMETSAT, tion activities consist mainly of the Living Planet and telecommunications. The ESA - Observa Earth navigation launchers, spaceflight, human ence, sci- space as such areas in also but Observation, Earth in active only not is ESA 2003]). [ESA, tion Conven- ESA the of II (Article systems’ cations purposes entific and for operational space appli- sci- for used being their to view a with cations, appli- space their and technology and research ation in Europe among European States in space mote,forexclusively cooper purposes, peaceful pro- to and for provide ‘to is 1975, in founded The purpose of the European Space Agency (ESA), SpaceAgencyEuropean organisations orprogrammes. intergovernmental/ international of framework fore the EO activities are carried out mostly in the space agency or a national EO programme. There- programme. Switzerland does not have a national den, all have their own national Observation Earth Swe- or Denmark Netherlands, the Belgium, as such countries smaller several as well as France, Collaboration International its and Switzerland Industry and Industry is the Swiss organisation T rade a division division a - - - serve as a focal point for international coordina- international for point focal a as serve to (b) policies, and applications, services, mats, for products, data compatible of development in and planning mission in participants its of tion coopera- through Observations Earth spaceborne of benefits optimize to (a) are CEOS of objectives primary three The agencies. space the between coordination international performs (CEOS) Satellites Observation Earth on Committee The Satellites Observation Committee onEarth actors have fullaccessto allactivities. FP7, toSwiss associated is Switzerland Since ESA. tion to the GMES Space Component programme of of service development and a substantial contribu- consists latter The to GMES. support and (GEOSS), of the Global Observation Earth System of Systems Observation in the current FP7: projects in support Earth on focussed elements major two are There development. application and research related EO fostering is (EU) Union European the (FRP), Programmes Research Framework its Through UnionEuropean tions Working Group (STG-OPS). Opera- STG and (STG-SWG) Group Working ence nical Group its with (STG) two subgroups Sci- STG Techand - Scientific the and (AFG) Group Finance and Administrative the (PAC), Committee sory Advi- Policy the Council, EUMETSAT the include bodies governing EUMETSAT The EUMETSAT. in representation Swiss the for office federal sible respon- the is MeteoSwiss Climatology and ology tion Facilities (SAF’s). The Federalof MeteorOffice tralized processing facilities, the Satellite Applica - (e.g. European Polar System EPS), and (2) the decen- orbitprogrammes programmes: (1)low Earth ary geostation- the to addition in EUMETSAT within established been have activities main other two meantime, the In (EUMETSAT). Satellites ological pean Organisation for Exploitation of the Meteor Euro- intergovernmentalthe lished organisation, estab- newly a to ESA from transferred was osat, Mete - orbit, geostationary in satellites orological In 1986, the responsibility for the operational mete Satellites Meteorological of Exploitation for the Organisation European (DOSTAG). Group Advisory Technical and Scientific tions Opera- Data the and (PB-EO) Observation Earth BoardProgramme the Council, ESA the are tion ESA. The ESA governing bodies for - Observa Earth - - - - tion andResearch SER. State the is forSecretariatactions Educa- COST of issues administrative the and scientific financial, the for responsible authority the Switzerland, In inresearch. national partners to coordinate and to intensify the network of inter in the accepted concerted actions. The objective is partners equal as toparticipate and principle, up bottom- a in actions new propose possibility the researchers Swiss offers COST remote-sensing. of advancement the to dedicated been have actions pre-competitiveand mental Manyresearch. COST and technology, in particular in the areas of funda- participate in a large-scale of activities in research to sector private the from companies as well as institutions, research and institutes national bles ena- COST beginning. their since ever activities COST in participated fully has Switzerland bers, ofthe field research. As one of the founding mem- in cooperation of structure European oldest the ference for science and technology, and represents COST was founded in 1971 by the Ministerial Con- (COST) research technical and scientific of field the in cooperation European zerland. for the coordination of the GCOS activities in Swit- responsible MeteoSwiss Climatology and orology Mete- of Office Federal the at Office GCOS Swiss The change. climate global/regional and system climate the of prediction and understanding ter bet- a for GCOS, within data satellite of role the detail in describing CEOS, with consultation in GCOS Implementation Plan was compiled by GCOS the to supplement’ ‘satellite a 2006, In Protocol. Systematic Observation’, and the subsequent Kyoto and ‘Research 5 Article (UNFCCC), Change mate Cli- on ConventionFramework UN the with tion ing System (GCOS) was initiated in 1992, in connec- The implementation of the Global Climate Observ Global Climate ObservingSystem EUMETSAT. and ESA through CEOS in represented is Switzerland ibilities of observation and data exchange systems. tion to encourage complementarities and compat- to(c) exchangeand technicalinformaand - policy activities, Observation Earth space-related of tion - -

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 11 12 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland vide a set of services for European citizens and citizens European for services of set a vide pro- will satellites.GMES Observation Earth from received not observations and data necessary all as understood context this in is which data, situ’ received from Observation Earth satellites and ‘in- data observation on based be will It security. and environment with dealing services information of implementation the for initiative European a is GMES 1998. in started which (GMES), Security and MonitoringEnvironmentfor Global the ESA, and Commission European the of initiative joint the is areas policy European for data Observation Earth of use better a towardsstep important An Security and for Environment Monitoring Global Member States. European the in warnings and forecasts weather regional NWP models and consequently improved years, resulting in better conditions boundary for recent in models (NWP) prediction weather ical numer medium-range global the of scores skill forecast the improved significantly has data tion assimilation at ECMWF to include - Observa Earth data of extension The (UNEP). Programme ment Environ- NationsUnited the and (UNESCO), tion Organisa- Cultural and Scientific Educational, NationsUnited the (ECMWF), Forecasts Weather Medium-Range for Centre European the are Examplesorganisations. international other in divisions or groups Observation Earth of setup the in reflected also is areas application ious var for Observation Earth of use increasing The Others European Weather Network Radar OPERA). the (e.g. networks sensing remote operational of coordination European-wide a includes also it activities, its among Services; Weather European EUMETNET is an Economic Interest Group of most Services The Network Meteorological ofEuropean ellites. completea coverageglobal bymeteorological sat- guarantee to SAT), (WMO Organisation orological (CGMS) and the Space Program of the World Mete - Satellites Meteorological for Group Coordination two internationalfurther coordination bodies, the are meteorology,there operational of field the In ological Observation World the of Programme MeteorSpace - the and Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites

- - hog ter atcpto i te U Frame- EU the in participation their through links, international different have Observation Earth in active institutions Swiss various The nationalentities Collaboration with tems’, ‘Agriculture’ and‘Biodiversity’. ‘Ecosys- ‘Weather’, ‘Water’, ‘Climate’, ‘Energy’, ‘Health’, ‘Disasters’, areas: nine following the in tems and models, thereby connecting the benefits optimal integration of the existing observation sys an is GEO of goal The Geneva. in office istrative Group on Observation Earth (GEO) with its admin- the by implemented being (GEOSS), Systems of System Observation Earth Global the to tribution Internationally,importantcon- one be will GMES Observation onEarth Group security. and environment regarding life of quality improvetheir to helping administrations tional universities (seechapter 2.4). interna - with and Agency) Exploration Aerospace tics and Space Administration – USA), JAXA (Japan Aeronau - (National EUMETSAT, NASA ESA, fahrt), e.g. DLR (‘Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und - Raum agencies: multi-national and national with tion collabora- their through and Programmes work - 2.4 data at sub-metric spatial resolution. In addition, addition, In resolution. spatial sub-metric at data acquiring of capability the havesystems recent very though resolution, spatial limited from fer 1991.since Agency Space pean However, suf - they images acquired without interruption by the Euro- (SAR) Radar Aperture Synthetic and 1977 since es imag- Meteosat 1972, since continuously lected col- data optical Landsat as such span, time long very a have can data Satellite resolution. and age temporalcover and spatial for needs the on ing systems,depend- spaceborne and airborne based, surface- by acquired be can measurements EO solution. their for information icant of problems on our planet, EO has provided signif- growing population tends to increase the number try, oceanography and archaeology). Although the bio-geochemis - research, soil and cryospheric ic, atmospher assessments, hazard control, lution forecasting,nowcasting, climate monitoring, pol- (geodesy,weathersecurity, applications of range wide a of view in data EO exploit and understand to the development of value-adding tools to better tutes and at dedicated companies have contributed insti- research universities, at researchers Swiss Furthermore, signals). (GPS) SystemPositioning Global using methods radar, rain radiometry, microwave radar, synthetic-aperture trometry, tise in remote sensing methods (e.g. imaging spec- The harvest has led to leading roles and key exper • • ly ininternational collaboration and ent. The research has continued until today, most - when more and more EO potential became appar efforts the joined groups new and investigations, innovative by and chance by discovered were ods [Büro für Weltraumangelegenheiten, 2000]. - Meth of EO weredata expressed ests applications in the inter before long i.e. transfer,radiative and gy - methodolo development, instrument to groups from pioneering work performed by a few research 1960’s evolvedthe has since Switzerland in (R&D) Basic Observation Earth research and development

research programmes: e.g. COST Actions (Euro Technical research), EUprogrammes. pean Cooperation in of the andfield Scientific EUMETSAT NASA, ESA, e.g. organisations: international with the involvement of space agencies and agencies space of involvement the with Development and Research Observation Earth ------is one of the largest user of EO data for nowcasting, meteorology Operational satellites. by quantified and traced be can pollutants atmospheric several and aerosols gases, trace dioxide, carbon Ozone, instruments. Lidar flying satellite by acquired be space. Wind direction and intensity will aloft soon from measured be can extent rain and intensity input to weather prediction models. Similarly rain important most the comprise they Today tation). precipi- for networks radar weather operational based remote sensing also provides useful data (e.g. pheric temperature and humidity Ground- profiles. can be derived from satellite data as well as atmos- the For change. climate of impacts the standing under better for essential is techniques sensing extent, mass balance and movements with remote glacier of Monitoring thickness. sea-ice measure to built being are sensors New change. sea-level to factors contributing major the Antarctica, and Greenland of volume ice the of changes measure to capable are Altimeters measured. be can type and extent ice sea Similarly permafrost. of extent the monitoring allowing distinguished, be can ments. frozenFurthermore, and unfrozen ground equivalent can be inferred from satellite measure- For the instruments. spaceborne from detected be may fires forest and measured be also may biomass Forest monitoring. glacier and landslides earthquakes, for applications new brand toway the paving is which techniques eter interferomradar using - altitude of km 800 at ing year)per (millimetressatellites fromments orbit- displace- tiny of detection the enable also ments types can be measured from space. Recent develop - surface soil moisture, vegetation height and cover Severalforparameters ously described. previ- as such fields scientific many in nowadays Because of the advantages of EO data, they are used 2.4.1 alimitedmation, butwith spatialcoverage. ing key quantities and can give very accurate infor hand, surface-based systems are useful for monitor- and more and more in near-real time. On the other datasets, homogeneouscoverage, providingitive repet- and global a offer measurements satellite , cryosphere snow coverage, type and water , cloud properties and extent extent and properties cloud , atmosphere and Development and Research of State Current such as as such applications land - -

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 13 14 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland ground-based platforms. Europe, with its research on a growing number of spaceborne, airborne and instruments new deploymentof the by increased significantly been have capabilities Observation analysis andexploitation. data in made progress the and capabilities vation obser enhanced the intoareas:two divided main be can years recent in achievements main The and to sustainable development. support degradation environment the change, global itor GEOSS as described in Chapter 2.3 in order to mon- and GMES as such initiatives political large for Observation Earth data are also of key importance change. global to related problems understand better to order in community scientific the by attention of lot a attracted recentlyhave that data EO on based land and atmosphere ocean, the of models system Earth and transferradiative coupled est environment. Of particular importance are the lat its with Earth the of interactions the of standing sity,under thorough and allowingwider much a the carbon and the water cycles as well as biodiver as such processes monitor to data EO using ingly increas- are scientists parameters,geophysical or bio- of retrieval ‘simple’ the than important More term data. availability ofthe tional due to the lack of commitment for the long- opera- as considered be cannot satellitemissions, scientific by demonstrated though above,listed applications the of many that noted be should It radars. ceborne made oil pollution can be easily spotted using spa- ure ocean salinity. Icebergs, ship wakes, and man- meas- to built presently being are over,missions More- measured. routinely be can direction and speed wind surface concentration, chlorophyll For magnetic fields. ently being built to monitor gravitythe Earth and pres - is satellitemission A space. from tracked be also can field gravity marine the of structure fine the and geoid The satellites. by measured be can For news. weather forecast daily TV atthe mation based on satellite data, when watching the mate system. Without realising, we consume infor weather prediction as well as monitoring of the cli oceanography, sea surface temperature, ocean , solid subsidence Earth and volcano activities ------lution control. pol- and flood to contributing as well as bilities, increase weather nowcasting and forecasting capa- to continued has measurements precipitation for models. surface and terrain digital of production the for sensors ranging) and detection (light LIDAR and Europe, in acquisition image aerial for standard a almost become have that cameras aerial digital the note developednewly the launched their own observation missions. Among lites. More than a dozen other countries have also satelEO - of fleet their modernizing continuously tion, the United States, Japan, India and China are nized player in spaceborne remote sensing. In addi- national missions, has become a worldwide recog - of number increasing an with also but ellites), sat- meteorological polar-orbiting and tionary tional missions (in particular EUMETSAT’s geosta - satellites (such as ERS and ENVISAT) and its opera- the the atmosphere. systemEarth models in different of observations in-situ and satellite available all duction of a 45-year (1957-2002) time series, using allowedpro - has the ERA-40, project, recentmost The observations. available all using data torical of re-analysis, developed to study time series of his- technique the in community meteorological the led has which Forecasts, Weather Medium-Range for Centre European the to due also is trend this able predictions of the state of A the Earth. part of mized state analysis and, subsequently, more reli- tions. - observa available of exploitation better a to led has ones new developing and methods existing refining by analysis data in made progress The early 2007: in distributed widely questionnaire a on based compiled have been tables following The zerland. Several EO in Swit- R&D establishments deal with 2.4.2 radiativeels with transfer models. today tothanks the understood better are system Earth the of ments ele- key betweenInteractions observations. with parison and verification of their model predictions com- systematiccomplex,improved through and developed been have sciences Earth of domains opened the way for opti- for way the opened assimilation Data Observation in Switzerland in Observation Entities Development and Research radar meteorology meteorology radar Ground-based coupling of systemEarth mod - ctive in Earth in Active sensors, we should should we sensors, airborne nvriyo enInstitute ofGeography University ofBern wMCRInstituteforMeteorology, University ofBasel ISSI FHNW ETHZ EPFL Empa (alphabetical order establishment R&D ) Institute Astronomical Institute Institute ofArchaeology Physical institute Remotesensingof the middleatmosphere Institute ofAppliedPhysics Climatology andRemoteSensing Networkpartnerinremote sensingfor SpaceInstitute,Bern International EOwithunmannedaerialsystems(UAS), Institute ofGeomaticsEngineering Climate Science Institute forAtmosphericand Terrestrial Ecosystems Institute of Photogrammetry Institute ofGeodesyand Signal Processing Institute Mechanics andHydrology Laboratory ofEnvironmental Fluid Space Centre EPFL Environnementale Laboratoire deTélédétection Environment Technology Laboratory ofAirPollutionand EO Expertise GPS andgeodesy archaeology exploration Geophysics andsoilresearch for science Remote sensinginstrumentsforspace frequencies methodology. Explorationofterahertz water andtemperature). Remotesensing sensing ofthetroposphere (atmospheric (water vapourandozone).Remote AVHRR, satellitedataarchive 25+years dynamic, timeseriesanalysisofNOAA- Aerosol andsnowmapping, vegetation Urban micro-climatology space sciences virtual globesandvisualisationofEOdata Atmosphere, hydrology Soil moisture navigation, troposphere modelling 3D extraction,satellitegeodesyand geocoding, feature andobject 2Dand digital surfacemodelgeneration, Sensor calibration,modelling,orientation, Image processing layer Hydrologic andatmosphericboundary parameters, smallsatellites Retrieval ofbio-andgeo-physical Remote sensingofprecipitation Atmospheric pollution

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 15 16 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland The competences following inthe domains: inR&Dcanbemainly classified Solid Earth Land Cryosphere R&Destablishments Atmosphere Earth systemelement Landscape Research Forest Snowand Institute for WSL SwissFederal Centre, Davos World Radiation InstituteofGeography-Remote University ofZürich (alphabetical order establishment R&D ) Institute and Permafrost Warning andPrevention /Snow Landcover/landusemapping,forestry, Land UseDynamics Land Resource Assessment Meteorology Observatory forPhysicsand Geography Institute ofGeography–Physical Sensing Laboratories ETHZ, UniversityofBern University ofZürich EPFL, ETHZ,MeteoSwiss,WSL,FHNW, UniversityofBern, SLF, UniversityofZürich ETHZ,MeteoSwiss,UniversityofBern, WRC Empa, EPFL,ETHZ,ISSI,MeteoSwiss,UniversityofBern, EO Expertise Snow mapping,avalanchedynamics modelling vegetationdynamics Mapping largearea, climate change, national forest inventory Solar radiation Glacier inventory parameters, LIDARprocessing retrieval ofbio-andgeo-physical geocoding andradiometricprocessing, and spectroscopy, landcoveruse, SAR processing, imagingspectrometry 2.6 2.5 up tremendous expertise over the years. Among the beginning of such activities in Europe and have built ment of hardware have been involved since the very develop the in active industries space Swiss The HardwareIndustry the 2.6.1 companies. adding value and institutes research with eration also for operational applications, usually in coop- but products pilot generating for used been have imagery Satellite applications. their for graphs photo- aerial use abovelisted offices the of Most of Earth Observation as data providers asdata Observation users. orasdata of Earth field activethe arefederal in domain ETH the institutionsof research and federalof offices number A eea fiefrArclue(OG Landcover/landuse Station (ART) Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Federal OfficeforAgriculture (FOAG) Cooperation (SDC) Swiss AgencyforDevelopmentand Landslides,naturalhazards, landuse,airquality (rapid)mapping,intelligence Federal OfficefortheEnvironment (FOEN) Department ofDefence(excl.swisstopo) Federal StatisticalOffice(FSO) Climatology (MeteoSwiss) Federal OfficeofMeteorology and ‘Maintenanceandupdatingofthe3D Federal Officeof Topography (swisstopo) Federal Office Observation Industry Space Swiss The Offices Federal Swiss The ctive in Earth in Active Major EOrelated activities Land cover/landuse Rapid mapping,humanitarianaid Land usestatistics vegetation composition (aerosol, ozone), snowmapping,landcover, Meteorology, climatemonitoring,atmospheric imagery aswellmapsandvariousgeodata the nationalarchives foraerialandsatellite sensors.Hosts imagery andotherairborne the Swissarmedforces platformsforaerial and (rapid)mapping.Operatestogetherwith in thetechnicaldomainofphotogrammetry and thenationalmapseries.Various services topographic landscapemodel(incl.DTM) - tem level. sub-sys- or equipment at deliver, either they ware hard- the of quality high very the for recognised however,are, industries Swiss integrators.system large of dominance the and hardware, of pieces recurrent of development the of lack the market, our due to the institutional nature of the European endeav- companydifficult space a Workinga is as former ADS40). ADS80 (the Leica the systems, camera aerial digital successful worldwide few the of one produces Leica facturer Swiss based hardwaretion). Since 2000, the manu- naviga-exploration,launcher, space (e.g. activities hardware and equipment for the full range of space offer also but EO on only concentrate not do tries ERS, METEOSAT, ENVISAT and METOP. These indus- developmentseveral of satellites the as EO in such participation their for Gals in Syderal and brugg Heer-Vevey,in in Geosystems ogies Leica Hexagon Technol- APCO Nyon, and Wallisellen, Emmen, in (former Contraves Space) in Zürich, RUAG Aerospace Space Oerlikonnote should players,one Swiss key NPOC the Operates

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 17 18 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland of public awareness of the possibilities and - chanc lack the as well as country small a in size market limited the are hindrances Further prices. itive compet- at basis (decades) long-term and tinuous must be available and accessible on a reliable, con data EO applications, operational For growth: er fast a limit factors external mainly hand, other community.EO fragmented the On and ogeneous presently heter the on hand one on depends nies The growth rate of Swiss the value-adding compa- industry. value-adding EO the for news good is general in products information geospatial for demand the of growth significant A markets. world and an, Europe- national, within opportunities untapped considerable with faced is industry value-adding EO the Furthermore, years. coming the in atives initi- private and national considering and wide, EO systems that are foreseen to be launched world - tant, in particular considering the numerous new emerging one and expected to become very impor an is sector industrial this level international the At abroad. from coming revenues the of fraction large a with community,international sponding corre the in recognized and integratedwell are they competence of field their In growing. slowly and small relatively are (Messen) GeoConsulting ing (Bern), Ernst Basler+Partner (Zürich), and MFB namely sarmap s.a. (Purasca), Gamma Remote - Sens companies, value-adding EO Swiss the present At services. niche offering of experts groups by characterized is industry EO The areas. geographic and fields thematic few a on focuses that organisation specialized small, companya is to cover all of them alone. The typical value-adding able is SED the of member single no applications, various the of characteristics diverse the to Due components. based non-EO important including services integratedto cooperation research from ranging services and data) and components, ware hard- tools, software (i.e., products of range wide a produces SED fields, thematic these Tosupport telecommunication, planning, and rapid mapping. hydrology, protection, flood inventory, resources natural and monitoring vegetation management, risk include covered Applications members. SED a key element of R&D and services provided by the is mapping based EO domains. thematic rangeof wide a address that services and products ops devel- which sector diverse a is – (SED) Providers Service EO Swiss the by represented Switzerland in – industry value-adding Observation Earth The Value-addingIndustry the 2.6.2 - - - - - tion is taught at several Swiss universities. Earth Earth universities. Swiss several at taught is tion schools only. At the university level - Observa Earth selected at date to but earliest, the at school ary second of years two first Switzer the during starts land in Observation Earth in Education Switzerland. in market EO the growing help sustainably and companies value-adding EO Swiss the of activities the strengthen and support significantly would situation for this accounting program EO Swiss A ofsocieties. benefits the for tools related and technology EO the of es goal within most curricula. Remote sensing is suit- However, the development of methodical skills is a ess of working with airborne and satellite images. proc- the mention curricula tested the of third one about Only indirectly. included mostly is ing sens- remote schools, secondary of curricula In sensing. remote in skills of own lack teachers’ – the exercises and material graphic of absence the and preparation suming main reasons cited were – apart from the time-con- er, they do not often actually work with them. The Howev purposes. illustration for images satellite and airborne use teachers of number a that show internet, the on and atlases textbooks, journals, in investigations as well as teachers of survey A ity to environmental issues. awareness of Observation Earth and its applicabil- gies. The focus has been put on strengthening the - methodolo sensing remote and themes vation Obser Earth on opportunities research and rials tiatives and theses that provide educational mate Observation Earth in Switzerland, supporting ini- of teaching the strengthen to aimed has Sensing For a long time, the Swiss Commission for Remote 2.7.1 programs. Geosciences and/or Geography of context the in Sensing Remote of principles the of teaching the with coupled strongly is education Observation 2.7 Education in in Education in Switzerland in Observation Earth at Secondary Schools Secondary at Observation Earth T eaching - - - - - dents are also trained on the hardware aspects hardware the on trained also are dents howon education the toBesides stu data, EO use - ing andresearch networks. teach- international and national in cooperation of freedom the institution each giving diversified studies in Bern etc. Thus the teaching landscape is snow and sensing remote atmospheric Basel, in investigationsclimate urban RSL, at monitoring hyperspectral remote sensing and land use change processing, SAR as such fields, specific on trate at each location, the individual institutes concen- given are courses introductory basic While Basel. exercises.for hours include Figures 1: Fig. teaching intensities at Zürich, Bern, Lausanne and core with over Switzerland welldistributed is ing teach - sensing remote1, Fig. in demonstrated As change comingyears. slightly inthe gna system change is in transition the mayfigures Bolo- the 2007.Since March in surveyed as tities quan- the shows figure following The Muttenz). VD Yverdon) and Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW Westernof sciences (HEIG- applied of universities two the and EPFL) and (ETHZ Technology of tutes InstiFederaltwo- the Zürich), and Geneva bourg, taught at most Swiss universities (Basel, FriBern, - is sensing remote through Observation Earth 2.7.2 ing applications. sens- remoteto linked be can education in topics ed to this purpose in a classroom setting, as many HEIG-VD, Dept.Environ. construit&Géoinform., Yverdon FHNW, Inst.Vermessung undGeoinformation,Muttenz ETH Zurich,Inst.ofGeodesyandPhotogrammetry

at University Level University at Observation Earth Total semester hours per year of remote sensing and photogrammetry teaching. photogrammetry and sensing remoteyear of per Totalsemester hours University ofZurich,RSL,Dept.Geography University ofBasel,MCRDept.Geography University of Berne, RSGBInst.ofGeography University ofBerne, University ofFribourg,Dept.Geography University of Berne, Inst.AppliedPhysics University ofBerne, EPFL Lausanne,ENACSSIE-GE EPFL Lausanne,SpaceCenter University ofGeneva,UTED T eaching 01 02 035 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 eoesnig photogrammetry remote sensing 2 3 3 4 5 Yverdon (HEIG-VD). (HEIG-VD). Yverdon and (FHNW) Muttenz in sciences applied of ties universi- two the at and (ETHZ) Zürich in nology is metry performed at the Federal Institute of Tech- Education and research with major in photogram- moting spacecareers. ly put together at EPFL with the precise goal of pro- recent- technologies space of Minor the is noting Worth industry. space Swiss the by encouraged highly is expertise This satellites. EO and ments - instru EO of building and design the to related 6 6 10 10 1 1 12 Semester hours/year 11 26

23

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 19 20 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 3.1 for global observations. build and operate complex and expensive systems mitment at international level to the continuity to com- the on hence space, from acquired data the of availability the on depend course, of will, use models for an improved snow analysis. The future prediction weather numerical in near-realtime in snow cover are used data on Meteosat based maps instance, ‘For demonstrated. being presently is applications operational for potential their but level research at still are domains these of Most applications. topographic or monitoring, lution pol- air prediction, weather monitoring, glacier detection, landslide as such fields, many in used being are data Observation Earth Switzerland, In useofEOdata. increased becauseofthe greatly hence haveforecasts weather the of racy accu- the and reliability The prediction. weather are routinely used by the meteorologicalfor offices which oceans the over direction and speed wind atmosphere, the in profiles humidity and ature temper as such properties important retrieve to possible now is it methods, inversion to Thanks environment. time near-real a in provided more provide homogeneous datasets, and are more and coverage,repetitive and global a offer urements meas- satellite that note should we data, vation Among the many obtained benefits by Obser-Earth summit: Observation 2004Earth the of frame the in sentences following the uttered Lautenbacher Conrad Atmosphere and Oceans for Commerce of Secretary Under American The 3 Benefits of Earth Observation for Switzerland for Observation Earth of Benefits with it,allnations...’ with involved that’s everyone to socially and ly economical- both be benefit, an enormous will believe we and it, to contribute will world the world, the to available become social structures. This information now will their and to improvedata economies their of kind this using are nations developed the of today.systemsAll Observing Earth of components building are people ‘… Development and Research - 3.3 ational meteorological satellites (both geostation- ogy and climatology, satellite data from the oper tional basis. For example, in of the field meteorol- using satelliteOffices borne EO data on an opera- Federalfew a only are there being, time the For emerge. fields priority and requirements political new should autonomous/independentan in way,and flexibly capacities regarding airborne EO, in order to react national existing the expand to – needed if – and stitutes an indispensable prerequisite to maintain con- and essential considered is It etc. inventory forest national the statistics, use land Swiss the series, map topographic national the of updating regular and production as such programs, toring moni- important many for and time long a since Offices Federal by used and produced been have Airborne EO data, in particular aerial photographs, ing employment in our country but also ensures also but country our employmentin ing creat- is business this that clear sector.is space It the global know-how of the Swiss industries in the to linked being rather but activity single a as at For the hardware industry, EO should not be looked 3.3.1 savings.also obtain may and services, and products improve current to able be will Ministries 7 of out 5 that revealed has services GMES in interest potential their ing - concern Offices Federal among inquiry recent A oflesstraditionalvariety EOdata. wider a involving methods new of uptake their facilitate users end as Offices Federal and panies com- adding value institutes, research between the potential of such applications. The close links evaluate to projects pilot for applications EO use such as Switzerland, several have offices started to country developedwell small, a for even cations to obvious potential the tion, thanks of EO appli- addi- In needs. user to application their in years these overacquired been thereby has expertise profound and years 20 than more since itoring mon- climate and forecasts nowcasting,weather for used continuously are polar-orbiting) and ary 3.2 Industry Federal Offices Federal HardwareIndustry - to enter market this thoroughly. the still existing barriers that hinder the industry mentioned fragmentation of EO and the industry afore- the are results The industry. this of ment develop- the for strategicdirectionsany been not haveHowever, information. there produced the exploit and process to jobs new many of creation the in also but themselves, applications by the ed generat benefits socio-economic new many the in present only not is sector value-adding the of importance strategic the that stressed be must It remains indispensable. and crucial both is industry value-adding EO the where is This another. is way optimized ationally data in a secure, and economically oper efficient, those exploit to capabilities guaranteeTo thing. systems one is acquisition data right to access the To ensure negotiations. international of table the at playeraccepted and acceptable an be to ment tance not only for security but also for any govern fore, it has – in a broader sense – a strategic impor all decision makers at public or private level. There- levels and economic sectors, it is a key resource for Since geographical information pervades all social 3.3.2 programmes. Observation tion inEarth posi- strong a in be to industries hardware space for importance crucial of therefore is It satellites. observation specific GMES the ‘Sentinels’, the for EUMETSAT programmes, and will also be the case al recurring units. This is the case in the joint ESA- only one single satellite of a type, specific but sever- not develop that programmes space few very the among are programmes Observation Earth Some developmentty asthe ofspacehardware. is technically feasible for such a demanding activi- that our industry stays at the cutting-edge of what Value-addingIndustry - - - - 3.4 future missions based on the results obtained. future missionsbasedonthe improving and acquired, data the using and ing analys- mission, the building and designing sion, between setting the requirements for a space mis- loop the close to possible it makes This stressed. be should satellites EO and instruments EO of design the in trained also are students that fact The education. practical and theoretical of level of efit a large pool of young graduates with a high- ben- they since industries Swiss the attractivefor very also is domain EO the in students Training and PhDprogrammes. Master-Bachelor-, in possibilities excellent dent interestedstu each to offers Switzerland within the transparency and mobility in Europe, but also structure Bologna the of introduction the With ServiceProviders. Observation Earth Swiss of group the with especially industry, vate through all involved bodies. This includes also pri- extremely dense and well structured organisation an from profits Switzerland in sensing Remote exist. organisations and offices federal and tonal dense networks between university institutes, can- Furthermore disciplines. other into connections tors of remote sensing methodologies with fruitful dissemina- know-howand of points focal as serve institutesinvolved the Switzerland, in versities uni- almostall foundat be teaching can EO Since Sensing and EO and Sensing Remote in Education -

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 21 22 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland application andservicedevelopment. Switzerland as an attractive and competitive place for Earth Observation in research, technology, Observation Earth in player strong a – Switzerland Observation: role inEarth actors will continue to play an increasingly strong Swiss that important is it security, and ronment envi- of fields importantthe in tool, particular in an such become has Observation Earth Since development inSwitzerland. prosperous and sustainable for knowledge and information of provider a as Observation Earth Switzerland of service the at Observation Earth forvation Switzerland: element highlights the importance of Obser Earth first The twoelements. of composed is vision Our tries like Switzerland. coun- small for also but large at world the for es, tool of strategic importance to face such challeng a become has Observation Earth mankind. for es - challeng major the of three only are population natural resources, and the fast growing worldwide limited the environment, changing rapidly The Vision4 - - 4.1 Data availability anddissemination • • • • • • • Applications munity. com- user enlarge the further and applications al addition- to lead will historicalarchives of tation requisites for a broad usage of EO data. The exploi- and user-friendly dissemination channels are pre- availability data Good interests. public the serve best that those are developed applications the if Observation Earth from benefit can Switzerland

Nowcasting and short-term forecasting toolsforecasting short-term Nowcastingand Challenges posed by global change and lim and change global by posed Challenges data acquired by remote sensing instruments acquired by data instruments remote sensing by general specialists andthe publicalike. the dissemination and exploitation of EO data enhance to used be will policies, data access custom-built ones – in combination with open from freely available to highly-specialised and services. global and European national, by products user operational toand adapted processed be will and available be will resolution spatial links. sion microwavetransmis- by and networks radar nomic modelextensions. socio-eco- by studied be will issues political also by technological developments, trade and but energy, and water food, of resources ited more. much and fires forest landslides, avalanches, ation, radi- UV migration, disease possible against warnings forecasts,lake-level and river fic, traf- road and railair, stations, power of trol tion from various sources to assist in con- the will be enhanced by high-resolution informa - isations inSwitzerland. and users international humanitarian organ - institutional Swiss of needs the on focused The applied research in EO is primarily to be be to primarily is EO in research applied The Swiss users will have unrestricted access to access unrestrictedhave will users Swiss – technologies geo-visualisation Web-based low-to-medium of optical) infrared, wave, (micro data EO geo-located and Calibrated by observed be will land over Precipitation Service of Switzerland of Service the at Observation Earth - - Exploitation ofhistorical archives Training, educationandresearch Training, • • • • • expertises Swiss niche future aswell.Swiss positioninthe their international networking will assure a strong and actors EO of organisation national good a Training, education and research, combined with must be acquired and maintained by Swiss actors. such country as Switzerland, some key capabilities tance, but not Since Observation Earth is a tool of strategic impor- • 4.2

Earth ObservationEarth is a required subject at sec Switzerland contributes test sites in remote in sites test contributes Switzerland historical archives. EOdata of exploitation thorough a from benefit will national, European orglobal level. the at operated are that sensors in-situ and Observation research.Observation Earth fundamental in playersworld tobe, ue training. gram at the university level, as well as teacher science- and environment-related master’s pro- school ondary level and contributes to all geo- topographic andnatural variety. its and networks observation ground-based meshed densely coverage,its national with sets geodata outstanding its to due sensing remoteceborne sensingsystems. spa- and airborne based, ground of struction con- the for niches technological selected in systematically.broadens them and fosters it and available, security national and welfare of domains important most the fortechniques sensing remote and EO in es Swiss research groups are, and will contin- will and are, groups research Swiss competitor international an is Switzerland competenc- key own its makes Switzerland Scientific, commercial Scientific, and institutional users Switzerland – – Switzerland in Earth Observation Earth in Player Strong a all aspects can be covered by a small -

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 23 24 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland International cooperation community EO Organisation ofthe andrecognition • • • • • •

Attractive basic conditions and a considerable consortia. and networks scientific international of bers areactive mem- leading particular and in try indus- value-adding the and industry groups, ests. inter our to relevant initiatives EO global and European to comes it when player edged generalcymakers andthe public. use Observation the of data Earth the by poli- for support and of acceptance broad is there benefits, economical and social political, ic, ly. linked, within Switzerland and international- federal and educationoffices entities are well industry, value-adding and hardware ment, formation ofnew spin-offs. the and industry value-adding of existing growth domestic demand create the conditions for the aster monitoring). dis- change, climate (e.g. society the of ment develop- sustainable the to related domains h Sis O eerh n development and research EO Swiss The acknowl- and important an is Switzerland key in active is community R&D Swiss The All Swiss actors from research and develop- and research from actors Swiss All Thanks Thanks to clear demonstration of the scientif-

- 5 • following: high-quality niches. We therefore recommend the on focussing EO, in partner international crucial a as qualify omously.However,can Switzerland auton- EO do cannot Switzerland entirety.Thus, its in handled be to markets and agreements al internation- funding, considerable networking, scientific international needs which business a into grown continuously has Observation Earth expertise key Swiss corresponding develop and sectors EO niche relevant Identify Recommendation no.1 listing isnotconclusive. this understanding that the with [brackets], in added are mendations recom- detailed these of each for addressees The recommendations. detailed into structured ther Each major recommendation is explained and fur anywithout delay. them implement to decision-makers responsible the following five recommendations, and urge the in the previous chapter reality, we have formulated statedto and vision goals, make the achieve these Toindustry. and science in actors Swiss of tion users’ needs by defending and improving the posi- Swiss the satisfy to necessary be also will ever,it disasters, water shortage and health threats. How natural change, global include challenges These challenges. major world’s the facing by and tems sys- Observation Earth integratedbetter towards stepsmajor supporting strongly by future the in involvement active this maintain to important is It States. Member among collaboration the to ly substantialcontributed- has EUMETSAT,and etc.) ESA, instance (for Observation Earth in isations cient member of the different international organ - - profi and active an been always has Switzerland

SKF, SED, IDA-Fern, GMES-IKAR,SGPBF]. community, [scientific security) help, itarian ment, glaciers, forestry, air pollution, human - environ- alpine (e.g., needs user institutional digital aerial cameras, etc.) and in domains of meteorology,radar analysis, constituents ic processing, hyperspectral analysis, atmospher on the available expertise in Switzerland (SAR to identify niches of key importance, based importance, key of niches identify to Recommendations - - - • • following:therefore recommend the been the best selling Swiss product for decades. We have skills technical and scientific view, of point economic an From importance. utmost of is level university focus on the a special levels, at all with education and teaching strengthening in effort national special a tomorrow’s, of development the to contribute toallowed be and systems, EO Should Swiss scientists be allowed to utilize today’s Observation. Earth teaching in efforts certed con more requires Earth changing the of lenges - chal urgent with dealing in participation Swiss applications its and data EO to awareness the increase and education, and training Foster Recommendation no.2 • • • •

to influence tothe programme contentsinfluence of fund- to focus research and application development to keep track at all times of worldwide scientif- [research institutes, SKF, SGPBF, NPOC] developments EO current concerning date to ic and technological progress in order to be up subjects [research institutes, SED]. EO industrial and scientific forward-looking tion CouncilofSNSF, EUMETSAT]. FP7,GAC, ESA, toFounda[delegations- actors Swiss of competences key the and niches defined the to according GEO) EU, (ESA, level ing entities at national (SNF) and international nity, SKF, SED,NPOC,SSO,SGPBF]. commu- EO plays role [scientific a significant which forinterests major Switzerland’s ling tack objectives of set clear but limited a on remote sensing data users in education and education in users data sensing remote to involve private companies and operational ties]. applied sciences in teacher training, universi- cation directorates, principals, universities of [edu- curricula into sensing remote embed ly level- toteachertrainingand permanent and ed education at level,the secondary university tion in any geo-science and environment-relat- - Observa Earth of integration the increase to to submit competitive proposals addressing competitiveproposals submit to

- -

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 25 26 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland • • following:the recommend therefore We data. relevant provide Meteosat, Envisat, air photo cameras, etc.) already spaceborne and airborne systems (such as Landsat, Some decisions. political and economical social, Monitoring the environment is the basis for future available easily data make and needs, users’ to according observations Ensure Recommendation no.3 • • fore following: recommend the the current needs of other communities. We - there by attracted be will experts EO time same the at and research, their to offer data EO that benefits the of aware more be will scientists conclusion, logical a As them. using communities scientific different the between gaps the bridging and data Efforts are needed to increase the awareness of EO •

to attract new user groups through applica- through groups user new attract to to put strong emphasis on the development the on emphasis strong put to joint applied research in order to assure the the assure to order in research applied joint Fern, GMES-IKAR,CFAS].Fern, tion, etc. [SED, community,scientific SKF, IDA- and forecasting, security, intelligence, explora of EO for environmental mapping, monitoring to inform decision makers benefits about the interest [SKF, SED,NPOC,SGPBF]. public’s the engage to and development tion community,[scientific SKF, NPOC,SGPBF]. communities scientific different between the gaps existing the bridge to order in etc. gists, biolo- climatologists, as such scientists, tem sys- Earth and engineers, scientists, sensing SSIG, SwissMem]. [SSO, platforms and instruments EO borne space- and airborne for technologies key of SwissMem, SGPBF]. SSIG, SED, [universities, reality to reference FP7, GEO,swisstopo]. olutions [delegations to ESA, EUMETSAT, GAC, appropriate spatial, spectral, and temporal res- to strengthen the cooperation between remote to encourage the long-term data continuity at - of EO data has to follow the approach of meteor of approach the followto has data EO of price the operational, to become applications For • • • • • development. The lack of a coherent Swiss EO pro- and research of competitive phase level the bal in glo- and European the on industry and academia from actors Swiss of ability the strengthen to is programme EO national a of objective The programme EO national a implement and Create Recommendation no.4 • fore following: recommend the ally been available at reasonable prices. We- there tradition- have closely, which more data ological • •

to encourage efforts for disseminating EO data to enhance the national competence for near- to develop archiving services for digital and digital for services archiving develop to ally or nationally [federal entities, e.g. swiss- e.g. entities, [federal nationally or ally internation- either parallel, in data analogue federal offices]. bration and validation [universities, industry, of high-quality ground based datasets for cali- [swisstopo,grammes FOEN]. FSO,WSL, MeteoSwiss, FOEN,swisstopo]. vide the required assured supply of data [SSO, ESA, EUMETSAT, GAC, FP7, GEO]. available for Swiss users [NPOC, delegations to temporalresolution) and spatial high at data hyperspectral and SAR polarimetric quency, [delegation to ESA, GAC, EUMETSAT]. low,at basis evenopen-access an coston zero FP7, GEO]. GAC,EUMETSAT, ESA, to [delegations needs and delivery times are compatible with users’ ties, industry]. [universi sets data the of analysis automatic topo]. to support the acquisition and maintenance and acquisition the support to to assure that spatial and temporal resolution to make new technologies and data (multi-fre- to maintain and continue existing EO pro EO existing continue and maintain to to participate in the programmes that will pro- - - - • gramme has made it increasingly difficult to win towin difficult increasingly it made has gramme • ing: Switzerland. We therefore recommend the follow to tailored services EO-based drive will and work tion and its Kyoto Protocol, provide a policy frame - international treaties such as the Climate Conven- to commitments and level European the at work investments. Key changes in the regulatory frame- Swiss on return improvethe scientists) groups, user industry, organisations, national and tional (interna- partners balanced and chosen carefully with manner.Agreements sustainable a in needs evant programmes and bring in our potential and national endeavours and, hence, gain access to rel Switzerland, we must contribute our share to inter- avenues forof EO on its own. To benefits optimise Switzerland can pursue only little of the potential cooperation international Intensify Recommendation no.5 • • • following:the recommend therefore We community. scientific the resources of the government, industry and the pool to helps and research problem-oriented on where advancements are of high priority, to focus areas identify to helps programme EO national A programmes. such from benefit who countries contracts against competitors from other European

to implement the Swiss EO programme as a as programme EO Swiss the implement to to continue actively participating in relevant relevant in participating actively continue to states [SSO,IKAR, CFAS]. European selected of policies national evant the Swiss and European space policies and rel- CFAS, SSIG,SED]. programme community,[scientific SSO, IKAR, as data exploitation activities by the Swiss EO ments, methodological advancements as well IKAR, CFAS]. complement to existing funding sources [SSO, community,[scientific SSO,IKAR,CFAS, SKF]. programme EO national a into activities its capacity, knowledge, and its to bundle and ty to coordinate the Swiss EO research communi to relate and coordinate Swiss EO policy with with policy EO Swiss coordinate to and relate o upr hrwr tcnlg develop - technology hardware support to - - - •

to enable bi- and multilateral collaborations multilateral and bi- enable to Mem]. community,tific SSO, IKAR, CFAS, SED; Swiss- [scien- interests Swiss of domains selected in gations to ESA, EUMETSAT, GAC, FP7, GEO]. [dele- EU/FP7,etc.) programmes, EUMETSAT programmes, EO ESA (e.g., interests Swiss to according possible as far as programmes international programmes, and to shape these

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 27 28 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 I. References Verne, Jules, 1869:Verne,LuneJules, la Autour de Lune la Terre1865:Verne,à la Jules, De Landestopographie,Wabern,Bern für Bundesamt Schweiz; die für 1987: Fernerkundung der Bedeutung Fernerkundung, Koordinationsgruppe 2007 Sept. on seen as earthobservations.org, Website;www.Switzerland, Geneva, Observations Earth on Group GEO Session; Plenary GEO Third 2006: GEO, Fiorenza. Landini, Batista Copernicano Tolemaico,e Mondo; 1632:SistemiDel G., Massimi Galilei, SP-1304ESA Noordwijk,Netherlands, Division, The Publications ESA Programme; Planet ESA’sforChallenges Living Scientific New – Earth Changing The 2006: ESA, SP-1271 Noordwijk,Netherlands, The Division, Publications ESA Agency; Space European a of establishment the forConvention 2003: ESA, Bern CFAS;Vol.Commission 14, Advisory Affairs Space Federal Swiss Sensing; WorkingRemote Group the of Report 1995- Switzerland for Observation Earth of CFAS,1995:Significance secretariat CEOS (2002-2007); FiveYearSatellites- Observation Plan Earth on Committee 2002: CEOS, Lausanne Européennes, recherches de Centre und l’Europe pour Monnet Jean Fondation ESA, Forschung, und Bildung für Notwendigkeit;Staatssekretariat SSO, und Abenteuer Raumfahrt; die und EuropaSchweiz, Die 2000: Weltraumangelegenheiten,für Büro FSO FRP FP7 FOEN WeatherServices European most of InterestGroup Economic FOAG SatellitesMeteorological of Exploitation the forOrganisation European FHNW EUMETNET EUMETSAT EU ETHZ ESA ERS ERA EPS EPFL EOS EO ENVISAT Empa EKWF EEA ECMWF EC DOSTAG DLR DDPS (Italy) Observation Satellitesbasin MediterraneanforSmall Constellationof constellation(USA) A-train satelliteradarin profiling Cloud COST COSMO-SKYMED COP CLOUDSAT CFAS CGMS CERES CEOS CALYPSO BIRD AURA AVNIR-2 AVHRR A-Train ASTER ASL AQUA ART APEX ALOS AFG II. List of and Acronyms Federal StatisticalFederalOffice FrameworkProgramme Research EU Frameworkof Seventh Programme Environment the for Office Federal Agriculture for Office Federal Muttenz) Switzerland, NordwestschweizNorthwesternFachhochschule Sciences Applied (Universityof UnionEuropean Zürich) TechnologyInstitute(Federalof Zürich TechnischeHochschule Eidgenössische Agency Space European Satellite(ESA)RemoteSensing European Re-Analysis ECMWF SystemPolarEuropean Lausanne) TechnologyInstitute(Federalof Polytechnique Lausanne Ecole de Fédérale satellite(severalsystems)EO NASA Systemof Observing Earth Observation Earth Satellite(ESA) Environmental European TestingLaboratoriesFederalMaterialsResearchfor Swiss and Commission) Advisory Weltraumfragen für KommissionAffairs Eidgenössische Space (Federal Agency Environment European WeatherForecastsMedium-Range for Centre European Commission European PB-EO of Group TechnicalAdvisory and Scientific Operations Data Raumfahrt und Luft- für Zentrum Deutsches Sport and Protection Civil Defence, of Department Federal Technicalresearch and Scientific of field the in Cooperation European Parties the of Conference EKWF) (see spatiales affaires les pour fédérale Commission SatellitesMeteorologicalfor Group Coordination TERRA Systemon Energy Radiant Earth’s The And Clouds Satellites Observation Earth on Committee constellation(USA) A-train satellitein Lidar Spaceborne SatelliteInfra-RedDetection(Germany)Bispectral constellation(USA) A-train satellitein chemistry Atmospheric ALOS on 2 type Radiometer InfraredNear and Visible Advanced (USA) Radiometer Resolution High VeryAdvanced (USA) PARASOL AQUA, satelliteconstellationof AURA, CLOUDSAT, Afternoon CALYPSO, TERRA on Radiometer Reflection and Emission Thermal Spaceborne Advanced levelabovesea (USA) constellationwater,emphasis A-train on an in satellite with EOS climate Global Reckenholz-Tänikonstation Agroscope research ESA) of behalf on Belgium, and Switzerland spectrometer; imaging (airborne Experiment Prism Airborne Satellite(Japan) Observing Land Advanced Group AdministrativeFinance and Abbreviations

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 29 30 Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland SLF SKF SGPBF SER SED SDC SCSR SCRS SCNAT SAR SAF RSL RSRG RS RGB R&D PRISM PB-EO PARASOL PALSAR PAC OPERA ODIN NWP NPOC NOAA NASA Climatology and Meteorology of Office Federal MODIS EUMETSAT Satellite Meteorologicalof MISR METOP MeteoSwiss METEOSAT MCR LIDAR JAXA ISSI ISPRS IKAR IDA-FERN IAP HEIG-VD GPS GPM GMES GEOSS GEO GCOS GAC Institute for Snow and AvalancheResearch) and InstituteSnow for Lawinenforschung,FederalDavosund (Swiss Schnee- für Institut Eidgenössisches SCRS) (see Fernerkundung für KommissionSchweizerische Sensing) Remoteand Photogrammetry, forAnalysisImage Society (Swiss Fernerkundung und BildanalysePhotogrammetrie, für Gesellschaft Schweizerische Research and Education forState Secretariat (Swiss) Society) Providers Service Observation Earth Erdbeobachtungs-DienstleisterSchweizer(Swiss der Gesellschaft Cooperation Developmentand forAgency Swiss Weltraumforschung) für Kommission(Schweizerische Research Space on Commission Swiss RemoteforSensing Commission Swiss Sciences Academyof Swiss Radar Aperture Synthetic FacilitySatelliteApplication Laboratories,Zürich UniversityRemoteSensing of Bern Universityof Bern, Group Research RemoteSensing RemoteSensing Blue Green Red Developmentand Research ALOS on StereoforMapping Remote-sensing Instrument Panchromatic ESA of Observation Earth Board Programme constellation(USA) A-train satellitedetectingin Aerosol ALOS on Radar Aperture Synthetic L-band type Array Phased Committee Advisory Policy Network WeatherRadar European Cooperation SwedishSpace the satelliteof Odin WeatherNumericalPrediction SatelliteforImages Contact of PointNational Administration(USA) Atmospheric and Oceanic National Administration(USA) Space and AeronauticsNational AQUAand TERRA Spectroradiometeron Imaging Moderate Resolution TERRA on Spectro-Radiometer Imaging Multiangle satelliteOperationalMeteorological(EUMETSAT) Meteorology,RemoteSensing and Climatology Ranging and Detection Light Agency ExplorationAerospace Japan Institute,Bern Science Space International RemoteSensing and Photogrammetry for Society International Issues) Space forCommittee Coordination (Interdepartmental Raumfahrtfragen für InterdepartementalerKoordinationsausschuss ) RemoteSensing Group Working(Interdepartmental Fernerkundung InterdepartementaleArbeitsgruppe Bern Physics,Universityof InstituteApplied for WesternYverdon)sciences Switzerland, applied Vaudof de canton(university gestion du de et d’ingénierie école Haute SystemPositioning Global Measurement Precipitation Global Security and Environment forMonitoring Global SystemsSystemof Observation Earth Global Observation Earth on Group SystemObserving Climate Global Council Advisory GMES WMO SAT Space Program of the WMO the of Program Space WSL WRC SAT WMO WMO UZH UNFCCC UNESCO UNEP UN satelliteX-band German UAS TRMM TERRASAR-X Industries Engineering Electrical and Mechanical Swiss TERRA TC swisstopo SwissMem STG-SWG STG-OPS STG SSO SSIG SPOT SNSF Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research, Birmensdorf) Research, Landscape InstituteForestand FederalSnowfor (Swiss Landschaft und Wald, für Schnee Forschungsanstalt Eidgenössische Center,World Radiation Davos WorldOrganisationMeteorological Zurich Universityof FrameworkChangeClimate UN on Convention Organisation Cultural and Scientific UnitedEducational, Nations Programme UnitedEnvironment Nations UnitedNations SystemUnmannedAerial USA) (NASA, Mission Measuring Rainfall Tropical (USA) Earth, emphasison an satellitewith EOS climate Global TechnicalCommission Topography,of WabernOffice Federal Swiss WorkingScience Group STG WorkingOperations Group STG TechnicalGroup and Scientific SER) the of Division Affairs (Space Office Space Swiss Group Industry Space Swiss Terre(France)la de Satellite l’Observation Pour Foundation Science National Swiss

Significance of Earth Observation for Switzerland 31