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Summary


The second meeting of the Space-based Observation Panel was held in Geneva, Switzerland, October 16-18, 1996.

The Chairman, Mr Morgan, welcomed all participants and defined two primary purposes of this meeting. The first objective is to develop a procedure and schedule to revise the GCOS Space-based Observations Space Plan. The second objective is to develop a strategy for working with CEOS. He stated that due to the enlarged terms of references the Space Plan will need a meticulous quantitative review and be up-dated with regard to user requirements. He further emphasised the need for the revised plan to be expanded to include the requirements from GCOS, GOOS and GTOS. The Chairman stressed the need for co-operation with CEOS Task Force groups. With regard to the new perspective of the GCOS Space-based Observation Panel activities the panel he suggested that the panel be renamed as the Global Observing Systems Space Panel (GOSSP).

In his message, the JSTC Chairman, Prof. John Townshend urged the panel to collaborate with subsidiary panels and to work closely with the CEOS working group on calibration/validation.

In the update of the Global Observing Systems it was pointed out that GCOS feels the revised Space Plan needs to focus principally on long-term space observations and on cooperation among the G3OS and CEOS. Climate-related requirements have been developed for oceanographic observing systems and provided to appropriate organisations. Furthermore, GOOS stressed the importance of regional benefits from satellite remote sensing and the role of numerical models. While the climate component was developed as an early priority, GTOS in the future will focus as well on non-climate components.

The participants concluded there is a clear need for:

The panel reviewed the space segment requirements contained in Version 1.0 of the Space Plan, and agreed that all requirements should be evaluated by an objective analysis. In order to address the analysis method the panel split into three ad hoc working groups to select 'core' parameters. The panel members agreed that the revised plan should contain theme-related requirements so as to enhance the impact of a coordinated set of requirements from the G3OS. It was concluded that if done well and in a timely manner, Version 2.0 of the Plan would provide the space agencies with a baseline set of requirements for their post 2005 planning.

In the discussion about the ground segment requirements the main issues were the cooperation with the Joint Data and Information Management Panel and the work on developing country data and product issues.

The panel noted a number of required actions over the coming year and developed 16 recommendations. These actions and recommendations provide a basis for producing Version 2.0 of the Space Plan, and guidance for the implementation of the G3OS requirements by space agencies.

The second session of the Global Observing Systems Space Panel closed on Friday, 18th October 1996.


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