1. Committee on Earth Observation Satellites Bureau of Meteorology Plenary Agenda Item 3 29 th CEOS Plenary Kyoto International Conference Center Kyoto, Japan 5 – 6 November 2015 Application for CEOS Membership

2. WHAT WE DO Australia's national weather, climate and water information agency We provide intelligence that allows users to make decisions based on the best available information, whether it is a short term emergency response or long-term infrastructure planning.

3. WHAT WE BRING TO CEOS Without Earth Observations from Space, the Australian region would be data sparse. The Bureau values international cooperation on Earth Observations from Space. We are an active participant in GEO, GCOS and WMO. We are experienced with big data. We are innovative at using Earth Observations from Space for finding solutions. We share our solutions with others in the Earth observation community. We have a diverse range of national and regional users. Focus on improving access and utilization of our products and services.

4. Satellite Capabilities at the Bureau of Meteorology Ground Network Continental-scale direct reception network, including a COSMIC-2 ground station and TARS in support of Feng Yun-2 Research and Development Overarching goal: to provide underpinning science and technology for environmental intelligence. Focus on data assimilation - greater and more efficient use of next generation satellite observations. Contribute to international science teams (GOES-R Advisory Committees, NASA Precipitation Measurement Mission Science Team, CloudSat and CALIPSO Science Teams).

5. Satellite Capabilities at the Bureau of Meteorology Helping the user community access and utilise the data The Bureau's training centre was the first in the Asia/Oceania region to develop training material for Suomi-NPP and Himawari. Training is provided for forecasters in the Bureau and South Pacific nations. The Bureau also leads activities aimed at identifying gaps and improving the use of satellite observations in South Pacific nations.

6. National capability The Bureau, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia are equal partners in leading the Australian space-based Earth observation community. Each agency makes a unique contribution. Together, we offer a strengthened ability to contribute to international efforts to communicate, collaborate, and exchange information on Earth observations from space.

7. Contribution to CEOS: next 12 months During the first year, the Bureau will partner with CSIRO on a study of non-meteorological applications for next generation geostationary satellites. The study will focus on development of atmosphere, land and ocean products to meet user requirements. First workshop was held in August 2015, co-hosted by JAXA, CSIRO and the Bureau, to identify observational gaps and user requirements.

8. Contribution to CEOS: post 2016 The Bureau plans to contribute to CEOS activities that: Promote the exchange of space-based data used for decision making; Optimize the benefits space-based Earth observations; Identify important observational gaps based on user needs; Contribute to efforts that build capacity to use products from the next generation of satellites. Particular initiatives of interest: Blue Planet Task WGClimate