SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE “HYDROSPACE-GEOGLOWS 2021” WORKSHOP

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérôme Benveniste ◽  
◽  
Alice Andral ◽  
Angelica Gutierrez ◽  
Paul Bates ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Research ◽  
Large Time ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Mission Design ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Future Mission ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
The Future ◽  
Future Challenges

This report summarises the main results, conclusions and recommendations of the “HYDROSPACE-GEOGLOWS 2021” Workshop organised by the European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with the French Space Agency (CNES) and the GEO Global Water Sustainability Initiative (GEOGloWS) (Fig. 1). This Workshop is a sequel to the ones held in Toulouse (F) in 2003, in Geneva (CH) in 2007 and in Frascati (I) in 2015. Nearly 300 scientists, engineers and managers registered to this virtual event from 41 countries from all time zones worldwide, submitting 123 papers with more than 500 co-authors. The inclusion in the programme of large time slots for discussion and the advance preparation of “Seed Questions” offered the opportunity to have a community discussion focused on the future challenges of Inland Water monitoring and prediction and the future observational requirements. A “Manifesto” was drawn-up from the discussion nourished by the participants. This report presents this “Manifesto”, highlights the state of the art presented in the sessions, summarises the discussions and provides recommendations and guidance for future mission design, research activities for enhancing processing algorithms and developing new ones, calibration and validation, sustainable data exploitation, dissemination, outreach, capacity building and co-designing applications and operational services.

scholarly journals Applicability of NGGM near-real time simulations in flood detection

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-126
Author(s):  
A. F. Purkhauser ◽  
J. A. Koch ◽  
R. Pail
Keyword(s):  
European Space Agency ◽  
Earth System ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Future Mission ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Flood Detection ◽  
The One ◽  
Real Time Simulations ◽  
Grace Mission ◽  
Gravity Mission

Abstract The GRACE mission has demonstrated a tremendous potential for observing mass changes in the Earth system from space for climate research and the observation of climate change. Future mission should on the one hand extend the already existing time series and also provide higher spatial and temporal resolution that is required to fulfil all needs placed on a future mission. To analyse the applicability of such a Next Generation Gravity Mission (NGGM) concept regarding hydrological applications, two GRACE-FO-type pairs in Bender formation are analysed. The numerical closed loop simulations with a realistic noise assumption are based on the short arc approach and make use of the Wiese approach, enabling a self-de-aliasing of high-frequency atmospheric and oceanic signals, and a NRT approach for a short latency. Numerical simulations for future gravity mission concepts are based on geophysical models, representing the time-variable gravity field. First tests regarding the usability of the hydrology component contained in the Earth System Model (ESM) by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the analysis regarding a possible flood monitoring and detection showed a clear signal in a third of the analysed flood cases. Our analysis of selected cases found that detection of floods was clearly possible with the reconstructed AOHIS/HIS signal in 20% of the tested examples, while in 40% of the cases a peak was visible but not clearly recognisable.

scholarly journals OLCI A/B Tandem Phase Analysis, Part 1: Level 1 Homogenisation and Harmonisation

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Lamquin ◽  
Sébastien Clerc ◽  
Ludovic Bourg ◽  
Craig Donlon
Keyword(s):  
European Space Agency ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
The Other ◽  
Satellite Mission ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
The Future ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
Level 2 ◽  
Very High ◽  
Sentinel 2

Copernicus is a European system for monitoring the Earth in support of European policy. It includes the Sentinel-3 satellite mission which provides reliable and up-to-date measurements of the ocean, atmosphere, cryosphere, and land. To fulfil mission requirements, two Sentinel-3 satellites are required on-orbit at the same time to meet revisit and coverage requirements in support of Copernicus Services. The inter-unit consistency is critical for the mission as more S3 platforms are planned in the future. A few weeks after its launch in April 2018, the Sentinel-3B satellite was manoeuvred into a tandem configuration with its operational twin Sentinel-3A already in orbit. Both satellites were flown only thirty seconds apart on the same orbit ground track to optimise cross-comparisons. This tandem phase lasted from early June to mid October 2018 and was followed by a short drift phase during which the Sentinel-3B satellite was progressively moved to a specific orbit phasing of 140° separation from the sentinel-3A satellite. In this paper, an output of the European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel-3 Tandem for Climate study (S3TC), we provide a full methodology for the homogenisation and harmonisation of the two Ocean and Land Colour Instruments (OLCI) based on the tandem phase. Homogenisation adjusts for unavoidable slight spatial and spectral differences between the two sensors and provide a basis for the comparison of the radiometry. Persistent radiometric biases of 1–2% across the OLCI spectrum are found with very high confidence. Harmonisation then consists of adjusting one instrument on the other based on these findings. Validation of the approach shows that such harmonisation then procures an excellent radiometric alignment. Performed on L1 calibrated radiances, the benefits of harmonisation are fully appreciated on Level 2 products as reported in a companion paper. Whereas our methodology aligns one sensor to behave radiometrically as the other, discussions consider the choice of the reference to be used within the operational framework. Further exploitation of the measurements indeed provides evidence of the need to perform flat-fielding on both payloads, prior to any harmonisation. Such flat-fielding notably removes inter-camera differences in the harmonisation coefficients. We conclude on the extreme usefulness of performing a tandem phase for the OLCI mission continuity as well as for any optical mission to which the methodology presented in this paper applies (e.g., Sentinel-2). To maintain the climate record, it is highly recommended that the future Sentinel-3C and Sentinel-3D satellites perform tandem flights when injected into the Sentinel-3 time series.

scholarly journals On the Impact Monitoring of Near-Earth Objects: Mathematical Tools, Algorithms, and Challenges for the Future

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Giacomo Tommei
Keyword(s):  
European Space Agency ◽  
Historical Evolution ◽  
Planetary Protection ◽  
Impact Monitoring ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
The Future ◽  
Operational Systems ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Near Earth Objects

The Impact Monitoring (IM) of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) is a young field of research, considering that 22 years ago precise algorithms to compute an impact probability with the Earth did not exist. On the other hand, the year 2020 just passed saw the increase of IM operational systems: in addition to the two historical systems, CLOMON2 (University of Pisa/SpaceDyS) and Sentry (JPL/NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA) started its own system AstOD. Moreover, in the last five years three systems for the detection of imminent impactors (small asteroidal objects detected a few days before the possible impact with the Earth) have been developed: SCOUT (at JPL/NASA), NEORANGER (at University of Helsinki) and NEOScan (at University of Pisa/SpaceDyS). The IM science, in addition to being useful for the planetary protection, is a very fascinating field of research because it involves astronomy, physics, mathematics and computer science. In this paper I am going to review the mathematical tools and algorithms of the IM science, highlighting the historical evolution and the challenges to be faced in the future.

Aeolus: ESA’s wind mission. Status and future challenges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Parrinello ◽  
Anne Grete Straume ◽  
Jonas Von Bismark ◽  
Sebastian Bley ◽  
Viet Duc Tran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
World Wide ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
Horizontal Line ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
The Status ◽  
Other World ◽  
Atmospheric Backscatter

<p>The European Space Agency (ESA)’s wind mission, Aeolus, was launched on 22 August 2018. It is a member of the ESA Earth Explorer family and its main objective is to demonstrate the potential of Doppler wind Lidars in space for improving weather forecast and to understand the role of atmospheric dynamics in climate variability. Aeolus carries a single instrument called ALADIN: a high sophisticated spectral resolution Doppler wind Lidar which operates at 355 which is the first of its kind to be flown in space.</p><p>Aeolus provides profiles of single horizontal line-of-sight winds (primary product) in near-real-time (NRT), and profiles of atmospheric backscatter and extinction. The instrument samples the atmosphere from about 30 km down to the Earth’s surface, or down to optically thick clouds. The required precision of the wind observations is 1-2.5 m/s in the troposphere and 3-5 m/s in the stratosphere while the systematic error requirement be less than 0.7 m/s. The mission spin-off product includes information about aerosol and cloud layers. The satellite flies in a polar dusk/dawn orbit (6 am/pm local time), providing ~16 orbits per 24 hours with an orbit repeat cycle of 7 days. Global scientific payload data acquisition is guaranteed with the combined usage of Svalbard and Troll X-band receiving stations.</p><p>After almost three years in orbit and despite performance issues related to its instrument ALADIN, Aeolus has achieved most of its objectives. Positive impact on the weather forecast has been demonstrated by multiple NWP centres world-wide with four European meteorological centres now are assimilating Aeolus winds operationally. Other world-wide meteo centers wull start to assimilate data in 2021. The status of the Aeolus mission will be presented, including overall performance, planned operations and exploitation. Scope of the paper is also to inform about the programmatic highlights and future challenges.</p>

Atmospheric Correction Inter-comparison eXercise: the second implementation 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia Doxani ◽  
Eric F. Vermote ◽  
Sergii Skakun ◽  
Ferran Gascon ◽  
Jean-Claude Roger
Keyword(s):  
State Of The Art ◽  
Atmospheric Correction ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Earth Observation ◽  
Surface Reflectance ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Earth Observation Satellites ◽  
Comparison Exercise ◽  
International Initiative

<p>The atmospheric correction inter-comparison exercise (ACIX) is an international initiative to benchmark various state-of-the-art atmospheric correction (AC) processors. The first inter-comparison exercise initiated in 2016 with the collaboration of European Space Agency (ESA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the frame of the CEOS WGCV (Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, Working Group on Calibration & Validation). The evolution of the participating processors and the increasing interest of AC community to repeat and improve such experiment stimulated the continuation of ACIX and its second implementation (ACIX-II). In particular, 12 AC developer teams from Europe and USA participated in ACIX-II over land sites. In this presentation the benchmarking protocol, i.e. test sites, input data, inter-comparison metrics, etc. will be briefly described and some representative results of ACIX-II will be presented. The inter-comparison outputs varied depending on the sensors, products and sites, demonstrating the strengths and weaknesses of the corresponding processors. In continuation of ACIX-I achievements, the outcomes of the second one are expected to provide an enhanced standardised approach to inter-compare AC processing products, i.e. Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT), Water Vapour (WV) and Surface Reflectance (SR), and quantitively assessed their quality when in situ measurements are available.</p>

Aeolus: ESA’s wind mission. Status and future challenges

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Parrinello ◽  
Anne Grete Straume ◽  
Jonas Von Bismark ◽  
Sebastian Bley ◽  
Viet Duc Tran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Space Agency ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
Horizontal Line ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
The Status ◽  
Phase Calibration ◽  
Wind Lidar ◽  
Operation Phase ◽  
Atmospheric Backscatter

<p>The European Space Agency (ESA)’s wind mission, Aeolus, was launched on 22 August 2018. Aeolus is a member of the ESA Earth Explorer family and its main objective is to demonstrate the potential of Doppler wind Lidars in space for improving weather forecast and to understand the role of atmospheric dynamics in climate variability. Aeolus carries a single instrument called ALADIN: a high sophisticated spectral resolution Doppler wind Lidar which operates at 355 which is the first of its kind to be flown in space. It provides profiles of single horizontal line-of-sight winds (primary product) in near-real-time (NRT), and profiles of atmospheric backscatter and extinction. The instrument samples the atmosphere from about 30 km down to the Earth’s surface, or down to optically thick clouds. The required precision of the wind observations is 1-2.5 m/s in the troposphere and 3-5 m/s in the stratosphere while the systematic error requirement be less than 0.7 m/s. The mission spin-off product includes information about aerosol and cloud layers. The satellite flies in a polar dusk/dawn orbit (6 am/pm local time), providing ~16 orbits per 24 hours with an orbit repeat cycle of 7 days. Global scientific payload data acquisition is guaranteed with the combined usage of Svalbard and Troll X-band receiving stations.</p><p>The status of the Aeolus mission will be provided, including its performance assessment, planned operations and exploitation in the near future. This comprises the outcome of the instrument in its early operation phase, calibration and validation activities and a general review of the main scientific findings. Scope of the paper is also to inform about the programmatic highlights and future challenges.</p>

scholarly journals Daedalus: A Low-Flying Spacecraft for the Exploration of the Lower Thermosphere - Ionosphere

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodoros E. Sarris ◽  
Elsayed R. Talaat ◽  
Minna Palmroth ◽  
Iannis Dandouras ◽  
Errico Armandillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Thermosphere ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Upper Atmosphere ◽  
Mission Design ◽  
Earth’S Atmosphere ◽  
Ion Drift ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Electric And Magnetic Fields ◽  
Precipitation Estimates ◽  
Earth's Atmosphere

Abstract. The Daedalus mission has been proposed to the European Space Agency (ESA) in response to the call for ideas for the Earth Observation programme's 10th Earth Explorer. It was selected in 2018 as one of three candidates for a Phase-0 feasibility study. The goal of the mission is to quantify the key electrodynamic processes that determine the structure and composition of the upper atmosphere, the gateway between the Earth’s atmosphere and space. An innovative preliminary mission design allows Daedalus to access electrodynamics processes down to altitudes of 150 km and below. Daedalus will perform in-situ measurements of plasma density and temperature, ion drift, neutral density and wind, ion and neutral composition, electric and magnetic fields and precipitating particles. These measurements will unambiguously quantify the amount of energy deposited in the upper atmosphere during active and quiet geomagnetic times via Joule heating and energetic particle precipitation, estimates of which currently vary by orders of magnitude between models. An innovation of the Daedalus preliminary mission concept is that it includes the release of sub-satellites at low altitudes: combined with the main spacecraft, these sub-satellites will provide multi-point measurements throughout the Lower Thermosphere-Ionosphere region, down to altitudes below 120 km, in the heart of the most under-explored region in the Earth's atmosphere. This paper describes Daedalus as originally proposed to ESA.

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