observation satellite data recom-
mends to set up thematic units.
tise and to pool the means to be imple-
mented in order to generate enhanced
products derived from satellite data.
Within these units, study results are
bound to be developed and adapted to be
made operational for the users by crea-
ting prototypes of services. These thema-
tic units will therefore become the pre-
cursor elements of the future services of
the GMES (Global Monitoring for the
Environment and Security) European
programme by 2008-2010.
S u r f a c e s c o n t i n e n t a l e s p a r
TELEdétection
services that are being defined through
projects financed by the European Space
Agency and the European Commission.
the most structuring effort in this field.
Infoterra GmbH (Germany) and
MEDIAS-France are in charge of its co-
ordination. This project aims at defining
and testing the "observatories" that ac-
tually are prototypes of GMES services.
It distinguishes two large scales, the
European regional scale and the global
scale. At the global scale, observatories
are closely related to EU policies: land
cover and forest change, food security
and crop forecasting, carbon
cycle. Most of these services
will be based on data assimi-
lation techniques in models
of biosphere functioning.
Such data will be derived
from ground measurement
networks and from generic
biophysical products charac-
terising continental surfaces
originated in space-based
observation.
major stake that consists in preserving
and valorising its know-how as well as
its scientific and technical lead, not only
regarding space-based infrastructures
(among others, the follow-up of SPOT
satellites) but also regarding the organi-
sation of ground segments and services.
Thanks to POSTEL and the situation of
the French institutions within geoland,
France should be in a position to claim an
important part in the generic processing
of space-based observation data associa-
ted with in situ data collection networks,
as well as in one or several related ser-
vices. POSTEL is consequently bound to
cohabit with projects of the European
Commission and ESA for several years,
but should eventually be integrated into
GMES services.
currently includes CNES, METEO-
France, CNRS/INSU, IRD and INRA. As
it is expected to quickly gain a European
standing, other institutions are liable to
join it.
Application Facility) in Portugal will
conceivably expand as well. Land SAF
currently generates products derived
from meteorological satellites (MSG
today, EPS soon) in near real time for the
operational needs of meteorology and
weather forecasts. POSTEL has to issue
satellite-derived products qualified to
meet the needs of the GMES services at
the global scale (food security, carbon
fluxes, land cover change). The products
from different wide-swath sensors (100
m to 1000 m resolution) are delivered in
delayed time and are archived to create
long time series. The complementary
nature of Land SAF and POSTEL may
evolve according to the options of the
European authorities regarding GMES
services. The expansion of POSTEL to
finer scales (typically 10 m) is another
conceivable development.
- a Core Service for Bio-geophysical
Parameters (CSP). Its mission consists in
supplying a set of technical assistance
and mutual services allowing the users'
community to make the most of the data
and products derived from space mis-
sions related to the "Continental sur-
faces" theme,
- upstream from the CSP, Scientific
Expertise Centres. Expertise Centres are
laboratories or research organisations
that contribute to defining space mis-
sions and to designing and validating
derived products. Such Expertise
Centres manage all the scientific activi-
ties related to the thematic unit.
- downstream from the CSP, the users'
community.
Centres, the CSP and the interfaces
between the CSP and users (see chart).