ESA Unclassified - For Official Use
EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
INFORMATION NOTE
Earth Observation Envelope Programme
EOEP-5 Development and Exploitation Component
Consolidated Work Plan for 2017
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SCOPE OF THIS DOCUMENT
This document presents the work plan for the EOEP-5 Development and Exploitation
(D&E) component for 2017.
BACKGROUND
The D&E component of the Earth Observation Envelope Programme, as underlined in the
programme Declaration (cf. ESA/PB-EO LXXIV/Dec.1,rev.19 (final), attached to
ESA/C(2016)122) consists of three interconnected ‘blocks’ of activities, namely:
- Block 1: Preparation of future Earth Observation missions
- Block 3: Management of Research Missions
- Block 4: Earth Observation science for society and Earth Observation services
Compared to previous work plans during the EOEP-4 Period, the present work plan must
address some novel type of activities and implementation routes. The most prominent
changes include:
1. Block 1: an EO technology observatory function with regular interactions with
Member States via dedicated information days and/or DOSTAG, part of extended
EO technology coordination activities
2. Block 1: preparation of Calls for early EO mission concepts and related technology
development needs in a TBD EO theme and evaluation of received proposals,
jointly with D-TEC
3. Block 1: The implementation of a new category of Research Mission, namely the “
Mission of Opportunities”.
4. Block 1: Activities linked to new missions to be prepared, with notably CSC
Evolution and Polaris
5. Block 1: high altitude platforms initial activities
6. Blocks 3 and 4: the implementation of the new G/S strategy with inter alia the
deployment of a network of exploitation platform
7. Block 4: a significant share of activities implemented through ‘ open calls’.
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DETAILED CONTENT OF THE D&E WORKPLAN FOR 2017
1. BLOCK 1 – FUTURE MISSIONS (aka ID#1)
1.1. Mission Preparation
In 2017 preparatory activities will mostly focus on activities for requirements
consolidation and architectural definition of future EO systems, on the initiation of
activities for the next Earth Explorers and Sentinels, on airborne and ground campaigns in
support of future missions, on future mission concept exploration and related technologies.
More precisely:
1.1.1. Generic activities
•
EO technology coordination activities elaborating on:
 future observational challenges and mission needs
 updated scientific strategy and challenges
 corporate technology programmes, with complementary support to a limited
number of activities under those programmes.
This includes running TECNET EO activities and support to D-TEC for all corporate
technology programmes and GSP in relation to EO relevant matters.
•
Set up of EO technology observatory function with start of regular interactions with
Member States via dedicated information days and dedicated reporting to DOSTAG. In
order to define a proper modus operandi in the absence of previous experience, the
observatory will be initially targeting a restricted set of EO technologies, e.g. synthetic
aperture radar technologies.
•
Preparation of an open call – with typically two-year periodicity - for early EO mission
concepts and related technology development needs within a TBD EO theme
(discussed and agreed with ESAC) and evaluation of received proposals, jointly with
D-TEC. A concept paper on the approach will be presented to PB-EO in May 2017
following discussion with ESAC.
•
Continuation of system and technology activities leading to platform standardisation 1
and performance/competitiveness enhancements, and enabling fast-track mission
developments, in coordination with D-TEC.
•
Maintenance and extension (e.g. to include national initiatives) of Compendium of EO
Mission Concepts, including assessments of TRL and SRL of selected concepts, plus
studies and campaigns to advance their maturity.
•
Preparatory activities in support of possible EO Missions of Opportunity, if any,
including concepts identified as promising for international cooperation.
•
Exploratory studies of EO capability evolution – beyond next Earth Explorers and
Sentinels - in support of the European EO sector.
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In particular for non-SSO suited platforms and implementation of clean-space techniques
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•
Airborne and ground campaigns responding to needs and requirements across all
mission concept preparations, advancing science and technological readiness levels,
demonstrating measurement concepts and supporting mission risk retirement.
•
High altitude platforms initial activities, including survey of potential EO applications
and complementarity to future space systems, e.g. for testing of prototype instrument or
cross-calibration of satellite measurements, with a user consultation event to identify
key application areas and guide programme developments.
•
Liaising with Member States and industry to investigate promising Earth Watch
mission concepts.
•
Frequency management activities, focused on preserving and ensuring future EO
capabilities, especially in preparation of World Radio-communication Conference
(WRC) in 2019.
1.1.2. Mission-Specific studies
•
Initiation of procurements for the preparation of the next Earth Explorer candidate
missions 2 (requirement studies, system studies, end-to-end simulators and tools,
science support studies, campaigns, technology studies).
•
Studies for definition of specifications, architectures and concepts for enhanced
continuity of the Earth Explorers flown so far and for international cooperation
initiatives under the existing cooperative frameworks with e.g. NASA.
•
Preparation of Call for Core Earth Explorer Ideas (EE-10 Call).
•
In the context of the preparation of the Copernicus Space Component (CSC) evolution
and taking due account of results of the EC-led user requirements process, progress in
the preparation of potential mission concepts, consolidation of mission requirements,
end-to-end architecture definition of space and ground segments, identification of the
key supporting technologies and early actions for their maturation, with appropriate
internal and external activities, specifically including:
o studies to analyse user requirements provided by the EC and by Copernicus
services (e.g. CMEMS 3 evolution strategy requirements);
o studies for derivation and/or consolidation of mission requirements, including
in the near-term for HPCM Sentinels like those for CO2 fossil emissions
monitoring, TIR imaging 4, enhanced polar altimetry, etc;
o retrieval and impact studies for envisaged mission concepts for CSC evolution;
o for NG Sentinels, end-to-end architecture and parametric studies of enhanced
capabilities that can extend the observations from Sentinel-1, -2 and -3;
o end-to-end architecture study to update roadmaps, e.g. that for operational
2
Cf. Draft Agenda for 168th PB-EO Agenda: Second Call for EE-9 (ESA/PB-EO(2016)50)
Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service
4
For CO2: studies on (i) assessment of the benefits of co-located satellite measurements of CO2 and aerosols;
(ii) Assessment of the global and regional percentage of fossil fuel CO2 emissions that could be detected /
quantified by space-borne CO2 imager instruments. For TIR: pre-phase A study
3
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oceanography;
o architecture studies to address emerging needs for security;
o supporting airborne campaigns.
•
Continuation of preparatory activities for Polaris as potential Earth Watch mission
contributing to the monitoring of the rapidly evolving Arctic environment, including
internal and external studies of the identified satellite and instrument concepts.
1.2. Instrument Pre-Development 5
This section describes all activities of a pre-development nature for instruments defined
under all activities of block 1 (e.g. EE-9, Copernicus evolution, Polaris) and to enhance
definition and technology readiness of future EO instruments.
In 2017, instrument pre-development activities will be performed in the following
domains:
 Completion of FLEX risk-reduction programme (Optical breadboard, CCD detector),
in cooperation with the FLEX project
 Instruments resulting from the outcome of the call for early EO mission concepts and
related technology development (see 1.1.1)
 Preparation of instruments considered under Copernicus extension and Polaris,
depending on the outcome of the mission definition studies
 Risk-reduction for Copernicus HPCM missions, in agreement with programmatic
priorities and with a limited scope to allow possible transition to instrument
development in Block 2:
 Spectrometers for CO2 detection
 Continuation of TIR instrument pre-development, as continuation of previously
initiated activity
 Dual-frequency altimetry for cryosphere
 Next-generation L-band radiometry
 Hyperspectral imagers for land observation
 Early support to future concepts and background instrument studies
 SAR for Ocean Current mission
 Coastal altimetry radiometer
 Compact spectrometers (e.g. using additive manufacturing)
 Geosynchronous SAR
 Laser risk-reduction for space lidars
 Airborne/ground demonstration instruments
5
For the sake of readability this section is treated separately than section 1.1 although they clearly are both
part of the ID#1 “Mission Preparation” heading in the EOEP-5 Programme Proposal
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 Implementation of CO2 airborne spectrometer, as continuation of previously
initiated activity
 High-spectral resolution microwave sounder
 Extension of Snowscat to Ka-band
• within budget constraints, complement investments of other technology programmes
(TRP,GSTP) to contribute to TRL 4-5 demonstration of technologies considered
critical for future instruments (e.g. RF power sources and receivers, optical detectors,
lasers).
2. BLOCK 3 – MISSION MANAGEMENT (aka ID#7)
The 2017 activities within Block 3 are still funded out of EOEP-4, thanks to savings done
during the period 2013-2016. These activities were already approved as part of last year
EOEP-4 D&E work plan [ESA/PB-EO(2015)54, rev.1].
2.1. Mission Operations and Maintenance 6
Details on these activities can be found in the approved 2016 EOEP-4 D&E work plan.
The activities include the Phase E (Operations Phase) of the SMOS, CryoSat and Swarm
missions, and the Phase F (Post-Operations Phase) of the ERS, Envisat and GOCE
missions, which will be gradually transferred into the Heritage Data Programme (i.e.
LTDP+) during the year 2017.
2.2. Level 2
Details on these activities can be found in the approved 2016 EOEP-4 D&E work plan.
They address the Level 2 for all Earth Explorer missions either in development or in
operations. However Level 2 activities for the FLEX mission were not yet defined last
year, and are therefore included below together with some minor additional Level-2
activities for ADM/Aeolus, EarthCARE and Biomass.
FLEX mission:
For 2017 the work related to FLEX Level 2 comprises the revision of the Level 2 End-toEnd simulator, the scientific developments of the Level 1b to Level 2 retrieval algorithms,
and the consolidation of requirements related to additional Level 2 products over water. A
campaign is also planned to support consolidation of the atmospheric characterization and
correction at Level 2b.
Integration and development of the FLEX Level 2 End-to-End Simulator will continue
from Phase B2 to the end of Commissioning Phase E1. The output from the FLEX Level 2
scientific studies will be integrated into the modules of the Level 2 Prototype Processor
(L2PP). In order to achieve Scientific Readiness Level 6 for the FLEX mission concept,
end-to-end simulator capabilities need to be extended and rigorously applied. The proposed
activity will ensure that:
a. End-to-end simulation capabilities are maintained throughout the mission
implementation phase to independently assess mission performance;
b. Developments in the space segment and the Level 1 data processing are integrated in a
common framework and validated against the mission’s objectives;
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As from EOEP-5 funding: will be Mission Management
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c. Level 2 Processing Prototype is developed and validated within a mission end-to-end
simulation environment by an integrated team of scientists and software engineers.
d. Test data sets for the development of higher-level data products and for educating the
user community are being produced in a timely manner;
e. Appropriate knowledge and documentation of all processing elements required to
generate a fully functional Payload Data Ground Segment are being developed and
tested in a harmonised and well-structured software environment.
This activity will start Q1 2017.
Processing from L1b up to L2 shall be developed and tested with the procurement of the
FLEX Level 1b to Level 2 Algorithm Development Study. The main objective of this
activity is to provide scientifically consolidated Algorithm Theoretical Baseline
Documents for the L1b to L2 data processing module(s). In addition, software modules for
the data processing shall be provided and integrated in a Level 1b to Level 2 retrieval
algorithm test bed, allowing performance testing of the entire Level 2 processor prior to
delivery to ESA and in parallel to the FLEX L2 E2E Simulator consortium. The activity
will be procured through open competition with an anticipated start in early 2017.
The aim of the AtmoFLEX campaign is to establish a database to provide experimental
evidence that atmospheric correction schemes as developed for FLEX suffices for reliable
Fluorescence retrievals. Experimental data together with data from Sentinel-3 will be
utilised to evaluate the retrieval performance of Sentinel-3 and fine tune and optimise the
developed FLEX atmospheric correction scheme. The main objectives are as follows:
a. to measure radiance and auxiliary data of key atmospheric parameters,
b. to analyse data to demonstrate reliability of atmospheric parameter retrieval,
c. to employ these estimates to retrieve Fluorescence under various atmospheric
conditions.
The activities shall comprise different tasks focussing on Sentinel-3 atmospheric correction
evaluation, the potential use of a stratospheric platform to measure fluorescence and the
usage of airborne demonstrators in combination with satellite overpasses.
ADM / Aeolus mission:
The list of activities identified last year remains applicable: 2017 will see the continuation
of on-going activities or extension of identified lines.
New activities for Aeolus include:
a. further refinement and commissioning phase preparation of end-to-end and L2
algorithms,
b. pre-launch campaign over the western Atlantic studying storm development,
c. pre-launch campaign activities in the Tropics and
d. Pre-phase E2 activities for EOP-G Data Quality Management.
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EarthCARE mission:
The list of activities identified last year remains applicable: 2017 will see the continuation
of on-going activities or extension of identified lines due to schedule issue and/or actual
difficulties e.g:
a. MSI VNS smile effect correction at L2
b. Algorithm studies development/verification such as APRIL/DORSY extension
in time
Biomass mission:
The list of activities identified last year remains applicable: 2017 will see the continuation
of on-going activities or extension of identified lines. Three new activities for Biomass are:
a. Feasibility of Ice Mapping with Biomass:
Ice mapping was identified as a high potential application of Biomass and was
proposed as a secondary application. This study shall provide an in-depth assessment
of the ice mapping potential of Biomass especially taking into account the disturbing
effects of the Ionosphere. The study shall detail which techniques can be used (e.g.
interferometry) and what products can be delivered. Based on this assessment it should
suggest a retrieval concept and a refined coverage map of the areas of interest.
b. Forest Network Maintenance:
The Forest Network was started in 2015 and is anticipated to collect the ground data
required for the Level-2 algorithm training and product validation. The initial contract,
which established first links to existing networks, set up a prototype of the platform
including a web interface (http://www.forest-observation-system.net/) and collected
first sample data runs out in December 2016. Over the next four years the contractor
shall continue to maintain this platform and shall integrate further data.
c. AfriLidar:
In 2015/16 ESA conducted a major flight campaign activity AfriSAR. During this
campaign P-band SAR data was collected over four test sites in Gabon for a total area
of 250 km². The data will be used for algorithm development and performance
assessment. To this end, in addition to the airborne data, 12 ha of high precision
ground plot data has been collected which is complemented with 35 ha of historic data
provided as in-kind contribution from existing plots (in total making less than 0.2% of
the total area). To extend these sparse ground data, AfriLidar shall collect airborne
Lidar data covering all 4 test sites. In combination with the ground plot data the lidar
data will be used as reference data set.
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3. BLOCK 4 – EO SCIENCE FOR SOCIETY
3.1. Scientific Data Exploitation (aka ID#8)
3.1.1. Engaging the International Science Community
ESA’s structured dialogue with international EO science communities is being organised
through regular series of dedicated conferences, thematic workshops and user
consultations. As a result various multi-disciplinary expert communities periodically assess
the state-of-art in their fields and prepare research roadmaps jointly with relevant
international scientific programmes, recommending priority topics for future ESA projects
and work plans. The Scientific Consultations & workshops planned for 2017 are:
POLINSAR (January 2017), Coastal Altimetry (February 2017), EO Science/
Applications for Baltic (March 2017), FRINGE 2017 (June 2017), EO Open Science
(Sept. 2017), Coastal-Coral Open Science (Nov 2017), SEASAR (January 2018), 25
years Altimetry (2018).
Education and training opportunities for young scientists, including advanced ESA EO
training courses and the Living Planet post-doctoral fellowship, are proposed to help
prepare the next generation of EO scientists :
• Living Planet Fellowship: Call 2017 in coordination with CCI (<50K/year,
additional 3K for travel and publications, co-funded by Host Institution). Approx.
10 candidates (1M€)
• EO Training Events: Polarimetry Course (February 2017 ESRIN,Italy), SAR
Altimetry Course (21-24 February 2017, Florence, Italy), Advanced in Land
Remote Sensing, (September 2017, Budapest, Hungary), Advanced in Ocean
Remote Sensing (Porto, October 2017), Advanced in Cryosphere Remote Sensing
(Svalbard,Norway May 2018);
3.1.2. Developing Open Science Practices and Tools
Following users consultation at EO Open Science workshops 2015/2016 the open science
activities will include in 2017 :
• A first call for Citizen Science projects (6 innovative projects to be selected )
• A series of two Massive Open On-Line course MOOCs on Cryosphere and
Atmosphere and 1st Mini MOOC focused on SAR applications
• Virtual research laboratories on cryosphere, prepare atmosphere & coastal zones
• Multi sensor earth-snap to communicate science issues to the general public
Open source scientific toolboxes will be further developed and extended, science
communities will be animated, capitalising on ESA multi-mission toolboxes assets: SNAP
S1/S2/S3 scientific toolboxes continued development, BRAT scientific toolbox extension ,
OS Plugins supporting new SAR applications over desert and ice regions.
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3.1.3. Advancing EO Methods and Techniques
This Action Line will capitalise on the experience gained during EOP-4 on SEOM and
STSE R&D activities. The overall aim is to stimulate widespread scientific use of open
data from research and operational missions (ESA and non-ESA) by pioneering the
development of new EO methods to harvest the full scientific potential of these missions.
Opportunities will be provided to research and develop advanced methods for synergistic
exploitation of data from multi-mission global observatories (Earth Explorers, Sentinels,
meteorological, national and CEOS partner missions). Targeted research projects will
develop cutting-edge methods, novel algorithms, new EO products, and extend the use of
Earth Explorers into domains beyond their primary mission objectives.
Priorities for 2017 will cover the following areas:
1. Advancing EO Methods and Techniques – Operational Missions:
•
•
•
•
Sentinels Synergy studies (S5p/S3 color, S1/S2 hydro-agri modelling, Cross-S3
sensors product, S1/S2/S3 coastal and estuary), S2/S3 Evapotranspiration
including synergy with National, Commercial & Meteo missions
Sentinel-1 (change detection)
Sentinel-2 (coastal zones, coral reefs )
Sentinel-3 STM studies (coastal, inland water/river, ice-sheet, sea-ice)
2. Advancing EO Methods and Techniques –Explorer Missions:
•
•
•
Foster early exploitation of ADM (planned launch end 2017) with a dedicated call
“ADM+” for activities focusing on exploratory research for innovative products
and scientific applications of this new Earth Explorer mission.
Consolidate and scale up the methods and product for exploiting the CryoSat
SARIN capacity with focus on 1) inland waters and 2) coastal areas.
Extend successful Earth Explorer+ feasibility activities under EOEP-4 (e.g.,
Swarm+ projects) consolidating the maturity level.
3.1.4. Advancing Earth System Science
Under this Action Line activities will be initiated expanding and consolidating ESA
collaboration with major international scientific efforts such as the World Climate
Research Programme (WCRP) and responding to the recommendations of the international
conferences organised in the last few years on Arctic and Polar Research, Water Cycle,
Carbon Cycle and sea-air interactions. In particular, activities will be started in the
following domains:
•
•
Arctic & Polar research: Consolidate and expand Arctic+ Initiative (new focus on
ocean dynamics and ocean-sea ice-atmosphere interactions)
Carbon Cycle: Launch Carbon+ initiative in response to 3rd Carbon from Space
Workshop.
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•
•
•
Solid Earth: Extend the 3DEarth Initiative to the Deep Earth (with a focus on core
and mantle)
Sea-Air Interactions: two activities with focus on Ocean Acidification and sea-air
fluxes under extreme conditions
Earth System DataCube: Expand and run the Earth System DataCube as a beta
version in preparations for potential operationalization as an ESA science support
tool.
In addition, preparatory activities to launch new potential science initiatives will be
initiated on Ionosphere Science; Magnetosphere-Atmosphere Interactions; Science
contributions to Baltic, Black Sea/Danube, Atlantic Regional initiatives
3.1.5. Translating Exploitation into novel Mission Concepts
Under this line, activities will be prepared in coordination with Block-1 and Block-2 in
view of launching dedicated projects in early 2018. Focus will be given to the following
preliminary priorities:
• Developing a solid scientific basis for the synergistic exploitation of BIOMASS,
FLEX and a possible future Sentinel-Carbon mission (together with Sentinel 1, 2
and 3) as a coherent virtual constellation for carbon cycle science.
• Advance in the user and scientific exploration aspects of convoys and constellation
ideas on major scientific domains as potential concepts for future Explorer
missions.
• Respond to the observational gaps identified in the different scientific consultation
meetings organised during EOEP-4 on Water cycle, carbon cycle and sea-air
interactions.
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3.2. EO Exploitation Platforms (aka ID#9)
The implementation of this activity line will need to be supported by operational
infrastructures provided by the mission owners for the “back-end” functionality (i.e. data
available on a cloud offering hosted processing services). An example is the Copernicus
“DIAS” (Data and Information Access Services) initiative providing access to Sentinel
and Copernicus Services data/information, or platforms hosting ESA TPM and legacy
missions which are foreseen to be made available within Earthnet and LTDP+ coordinated
programmatic activities. For completeness these latter ones are identified in the present
section, noting that the financial envelope for the General Budget is still under
consolidation.
3.2.1 Governance and Partnerships
These activities will mainly be carried out by ESA staff, supported by a small “Governance
Study” support contract.
3.2.2
Common Architecture & Technology
The 3 core architectural areas of Federated Identity Management, Processing &
Chaining Framework, and Data Provisioning & Management will be addressed mainly
via OGC testbeds and pre-development to prepare for those. For a bridging period these
activities will be managed as CCNs to the current contractual PDGS evolution contractual
framework. In parallel procurement actions for new contractual frameworks ensuring
continuity of standardisation activities on these areas will be started to cover the period
mid-2018 to 2020.
Data Discovery standardisation will address evolution of the current OGC baseline
towards GeoJSON API framework and in synergy with the FEDEO infrastructure as
contribution to CEOS and GEOSS, funded by Earthnet.
Information Extraction & Visualisation activities will mainly be addressed by TRP and
GSTP activities for 2017, EOEP-5 funds are expected to be used only for actual
operational deployment.
An IPR protection and management study will be procured in open competition to
prepare for a successive implementation phase.
3.2.3
Enabling Public Sector Benefits
Activities will respond to the needs of user communities primarily from the public sector in
international frameworks (Multilateral Environmental Agreements), in Member States, and
also in developing countries. Attention will be paid to ensure that new and small Member
States can build up their national EO capabilities and demonstrate EO applications that
have public impact and visibility to national decision makers and ministries.
Activities will build on the user dialogues, and user engagement methods that were
successful in DUE of previous EOEP periods.
Projects will, in conjunction with committed end-user organizations, define, develop,
demonstrate and validate new applications and services at three scales:
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− Global information services,
− Regional information services (Europe and neighboring countries), and
− National information services (Member State) services.
•
Global Issues
Global projects respond to the identified needs of international conventions and bodies
to which ESA Member States are parties or active members: These include the
international environmental conventions, UN Agencies and programmes. They may
also contribute to initiatives of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). In 2017
activities addressing Peatlands; Crops; Coastal Erosion; Land Degradation Neutrality
will be started.
•
Regional Initiatives
A set of activities will be started which connect innovative application and service
developments with the needs of users working at regional level to address common
issues, initiatives and developments. In 2017 activities addressing the Baltic region,
the Black Sea/Danube region and the Atlantic region will be started. In cooperation
with DG AGRI, JRC and Copernicus agricultural expert group develop via a dedicated
Sen4CAP study (Q2 2017) new algorithms and EO products will help demonstrate in
selected European member states the utility of the Sentinels within the Integrate
Administration and Control System (IACS) of the European Common Agricultural
Policy (CAP). In 2018 it is planned to explore additional actions targeting Alpine
regions and the Mediterranean region.
•
National Services
These services will primarily be implemented in new and small Member States.
Typical users are: Environment Protection Agencies; Ministries of Environment; Civil
Protection Agencies; Coastguards; Met Offices; Geological Surveys, Transport (road,
rail, ship) infrastructure planning.
3.2.4
Enabling Industrial Growth
e-Marketplace development and implementation will be started for an on-line EO
business environment (including both market information, and provision of non-bespoke
services), depending on the successful outcome of the scoping/definition study being
completed in early 2017 by the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies
(EARSC).
EarthLab Accelerators (ELA) initiative will be started to rapidly identify and scale-up
EO data innovation using agile rapid prototyping approaches with new (non-EO) industrial
players (e.g. BASF, SAP, Swiss Re). Components of the activity will include: Innovation
Challenges (to identify a portfolio of innovative ideas and enabling fast-prototyping
development through open challenges), and Innovation Boot Camps (to develop EO digital
training material, infrastructure, dedicated to the new generation of data entrepreneurs).
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Big-Data Analytics initial activities will be started to explore new techniques including
predictive modelling/AI in order to produce novel types of information, i.e. EO-based
intelligence solutions for end-user needs.
Expand Demand two initial activities will be started for user-sectors that offer significant
potential to grow the use of EO enabled by taking advantage of enhanced ICT capabilities.
Candidate sectors include: Re/Insurance, Oil & Gas, Law Enforcement, Ports & eMaritime, Geo-Hazard Risks.
Consolidate Best Practices two initial activities will be started for user-sectors where
some initial use of EO has been made, but comprehensive understanding of the EO
potential needs to be established through trade associations/organizations. Candidate
sectors include: Mining/Raw Materials, Agro-Business, Renewable Energies.
Support the European EO Service Sector (eoVox) via the European Association of
Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC). This will include maintaining and updating the
latest status information regarding the sector (the trade directory of services and suppliers eoPages, and the market/revenues survey of the industry). Certification schemes for EO
services and suppliers shall be enhanced as a focus area, with the investigation of setting
up operational procedures. In addition, consensus ‘position-papers’ shall be produced on
key issues that the industry sector is facing (e.g. how to grow export markets). This activity
will be implemented via direct negotiation with EARSC, with a contract to be placed Q2
2017.
3.2.5
Developing the Network of EO Platforms
The connection (“On-boarding”) of hosted processing platforms for ESA legacy and Third
Party missions data is intended to be performed early to support exploitation and
standardisation activities. The expected volume to be sustained by LTDP and Earthnet
funds will be between 500K-1MEuro/year each to be procured as service contracts.
The first on-boarding calls will be issued, selecting an initial set of resource providers
among member states’ industries and public institutions. Detailed scope of the initial on
boarding calls will be presented and discussed regularly at DOSTAG.
Support to integration and operations of new network resources and a helpdesk to aid the
use by exploitation projects will be provided by the contractual framework for the
standardisation complemented by engineering support, including gap filling actions for
resources urgently needed by exploitation projects.
3.2.6
Evolving Shared Technical Capabilities
Activities envisaged in 2017 will focus on bridging and gap filling actions, until the
availability of the DIAS platform, to support hosted processing on required dataset via a
managed service.
Thematic Exploitation Platforms (TEP) capabilities will be evolved and procured in an
anchor tenancy approach as needed to support science and exploitation activities.
In parallel the procurement actions leading to commitments for 2018 will be prepared,
including:
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•
•
•
first set of platforms in support to regional exploitation initiatives
NRT exploitation platform, allowing users to conveniently plug-in applications
providing services depending on NRT data
Shared Datacube Facility allowing to maintain science results accessible for
further use (science and commercial) via an innovative access mechanism
This latter platform will support also European participation in CEOS future data
architecture activities and in particular on datacube interoperability, funded by Earthnet.
A few agile development activities on innovative processes (e.g crowdsourcing,
visualisation of data correlation, etc …) are intended to be initiated as part of the on-going
fast prototyping contract. The follow-on contractual implementation for this activity line
will be planned in 2018.
3.3. EO for Sustainable Development (aka ID#10)
Four Larger-scale regional demonstrations of EO-based information products and
services that respond to requirements in the highest priority thematic domains of
international development : Risk Management and Disaster Reduction, Fragile & Conflict
States, Climate Resilience and Proofing, Marine Environment & Coastal Resources
Management. The work to be carried out follows the model being successfully
implemented in the three activities started under EOEP-4 in 2016 (for Agriculture, Water,
Urban domains). The activities will be carried out in close collaboration with the key
stakeholders; namely the main International Financing Institutions (IFIs). These include
the World Bank Group (WBG), the International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Inter-American Development Bank
(IADB) and the Global Facility for the Environment (GEF). A phased approach to the
implementation shall be adopted, with Phase 1 (first year) consisting of strategic planning
& stakeholder engagement, followed by Phase 2 (second & third years) consisting of
service demonstration and transfer preparation activities. The remaining thematic domains
of international development (i.e. Forest Management, Ecosystems Services, Energy &
Extractives) will be addressed later in the program (i.e. post 2017), taking advantage of the
experiences gained during 2016/17.
EO for SDG’s will consist of a rapid study to define the contribution (specific EO-based
products and information) that EO could make in monitoring the 17 SDGs agreed in
September 2015, in particular the associated indicators and targets now under definition.
EO ‘Walk-in Clinic’ will be started for rapid-response, small-scale, exploratory uses of
EO information in a wider range of Bank projects/activities. Novel schemes of EO-based
service provision will be considered to support the required short time-scales and promote
wide participation of the European EO service industry (e.g. pre-qualified EO service
suppliers, rotating, ‘fair-chance’ schemes of service provision).
3.4. Permanently Open Call Scheme
A permanently Open Call Scheme will be launched for all sub-elements of Block 4, with
the objective to maximise innovation and rapid uptake of new ideas from the EO user
community. This will be managed via a standard mechanism for all sub-elements, based on
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deadlines for proposal submission every three months enabling to respond to innovative
proposals over the entire EOEP5 period.
Given the expected exploratory nature of the activities, each individual contract will be
typically below a certain threshold (e.g. 150kEuro). It is envisaged to define a maximum
financial commitment over any 12 month period in each of the three Block 4 lines. Total
commitments within the Permanently Open Call will be approximately 10% of the Block 4
budget.
Under this mechanism, proposals are expected in the following areas:
• For Scientific Data Exploitation, proposals related to Developing Open Science
Practices and Tools, Advancing EO Methods and Techniques and Advancing Earth
System Science
• Under EO Exploitation Platforms, proposals related to on-boarding of regional and
national applications and services into the network of platforms, innovative big data
analytics demonstrators, state of the art data visualization approaches
• Under EO for Sustainable Development, proposals related to short term opportunities
for European entities in developing countries that cannot be executed under the larger
scale actions and proposals related to demonstration services for International
Development Banks not already cooperating with ESA. In addition, industrial
responses to requests from International Development Banks through the “Walk-in
Clinic” could be solicited under this line.