1. WMO Space Programme Discussion with IPY-SPG Barbara J. Ryan Director, WMO Space Programme 4 February 2009 WMO Headquarters Geneva, Switzerland

2. An Historical Comparison Pre-1957 2005

3. Cataloged Objects in Earth Orbit

4. The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and Societal Benefits of Improved Earth Observations

5. Connecting Satellite Observation Systems to GEOSS Integrate observing systems, nationally and internationally, to benefit from the increased number and distribution of observations of any given event Identify measures to minimize data gaps – to move toward a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained Global Earth Observation “System of Systems”

6. Space-based Component of WMO’s Global Observing System (GOS)

7. Agencies Contributing to WMO’s GOS JMA CMA ROSHYDROMET IMD NOAA

8. Website Documents Training events Virtual Laboratory Enhance user capability to benefit from sat data/products Intercalibration GSICS Plan / implement space-based GOS User requirements database WMO Space Programme Activities involving WMO Members, their Space Agencies, and CGMS Collect requirements for space-based observations and related services IGDDS-RARS projects Access to R&D data RSSC-CM RGB workshop Support product generation Satellite agencies Users Global planning optimization Enhance data access Ensure sat data quality

9. POLAR- POLAR intercalibration Images: NOAA/NESDIS To ensure consistency of datasets from different missions and operators Implementation Plan adopted Nov.2006 8 Organizations currently contributing (+WMO) GEO versus Polar-orbiting Simultaneous Nadir Overpass (SNO) inter-calibration method Global Space-based Inter-calibration System (GSICS)

10. GCOS 26 Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) A.Atmosphere A.1Surface Wind Speed and Direction A.2Upper-air Temperature A.3Water A Vapour A.4Cloud properties A.5Precipitation A.6Earth Radiation Budget A.7Ozone A.8Atmospheric reanalysis (multiple ECVs) A.9Aerosols A.10 Carbon Dioxide, Methane and other Greenhouse Gases A.11 Upper-air Wind O.Oceans O.1Sea Ice O.2Sea Level O.3Sea Surface Temperature O.4Ocean Colour O.5Sea State O.6Ocean Reanalysis O.7Ocean Salinity T. Terrestrial T.1Lakes T.2Glaciers and Ice Caps, and Ice Sheets T.3Snow Cover T.4Albedo T.5Land Cover T.6fAPAR T.7LAI T.8Biomass T.9Fire Disturbance T.10Soil moisture

11. Expected availability of the GCOS required FCDRs (3: Terrestrial domain) ECV Extent of glaciers Ice sheet elevation Snow cover extent Albedo Lake level and area Land cover type fAPAR LAI Fire burnt area, rad.power Biomass (research) Soil moisture (research) Instrument typeStatus VIS/NIR imagery Altimetry VIS/NIR imagery and MW imagery Multispectral and broadband imagery VIS/NIR imagery, altimetry VIS/NIR imagery, multispectral, high res.Resolution ? VIS/NIR imageryResolution ? VIS/NIR imageryResolution ? VIS/NIR imagery, SWIR/TIR imagery SARR&D Active/passive MWR&D

12. Maximizing data quality and usability Users Satellites & sensors Satellite data Essential Climate products GOS GSICS Consistent Calibrated data sets RSSC-CM Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS) –Established Nov 2006, Currently involves 7 satellite operators –Operations Plan adopted April 2007 Regional/Specialized Satellite Centres for Climate Monitoring (RSSC-CM) –Concept agreed following CM-7 guidance –Implementation Plan developed –Executive Panel to meet on 25-26 February

13. CEOS Virtual Constellations Synergies among national and regional satellite programs and focus dialogue and resources –Atmospheric composition – NASA/ESA –Global precipitation – NASA/JAXA –Land surface imaging – USGS/ISRO –Ocean surface topography – NOAA/Eumetsat –Ocean color radiometry –Ocean surface vector winds Common guidelines Optimal end-to-end capabilities Coordinated user requirements for future systems

14. NO 2 Images for April 15, 2004 NASA

15. Measurements Mission Science Information Decision Makers Societal Need Needs and Requirements Societal Benefit Improved Indexes and Forecast Products Results and Products AC Constellation provides improved continuity and coverage AC individual missions provide limited continuity and coverage Improved knowledge and models Improved technology Volcanic Eruption Ash Disaster Warning System Virtual Constellation (ACC) Example of Value Chain

16. Challenges Facing the Community Research to Operations Transition (R2O) –Remarkable record of satellite observations derived from instruments largely designed for weather forecasting Data Sharing Principles –WMO Resolutions 40 (met) and 25 (hydro) Different approaches/terminology among different sectors and/or organizations – confusing to policy-makers

17. Working across the Constellations -- Mt. Etna InSAR

18. The Way Forward... both satellite and in situ data are required to better monitor, characterize, and predict changes in the Earth system. While in situ measurements will remain essential and largely measure what cannot be measured from satellites, Earth- observation satellites are the only realistic means to obtain the necessary global coverage, and with well- calibrated measurements will become the single most important contribution to global observations for climate. www.ceos.org