Committee on Earth Observation Satellites
Report from Working Group on Information Systems and Services
WGISS - 8
Brighton UK
May 11 - 14 1999

Mike Clarke - CMIS

WGISS continues to focus its activities on development of systems and services to support user communities of earth observation data. This support is channelled through policy and management of access to technology for a range of user communities and through coordination (via the WGISS Subgroups) of technology developments occurring in participating agencies.

The approved version of the minutes of the meeting (18 pages) is available at http://wgiss.ceos.org/wgiss/

The highlights of the UK meeting are summarised below.

There was a strong focus on service -
a) support of CEOS Plenary activities,
b) outreach to international programs focussed on earth observation - IGOS, IGBP, ISCGM, ISPRS (to name a few only) and associated international client agencies, and
c) interaction with technology and standards groups internationally, with special reference to eo as an element of SDI.

GOIN - The Global Observing Information Network has been a bilateral program of Japan and US since 1993. It was established as a cooperative effort between the United States and Japan to strengthen bilateral cooperation in Earth observation information networks, involving both satellite and in-situ data and has provided technology support to research scientists through STA - NASDA, NOAA and NASA. A basic aim is to provide assistance to researchers to support data exchange.

The existing GOIN is concluded, and the opportunity exists to have GOIN as a multi-lateral program. There are obvious synergies with the CEOS WGISS activities, and it is proposed that WGISS explore the options for management of a transition of GOIN activities. This will occur over the next 18 months. GOIN/WGISS activities will be the subject of a 2-day workshop at the next WGISS Subgroup meetings in VA USA in September.

SubGroup Reports
Networks - A world-wide High Performance Research and Education Network is being established via a restrucutured CEOSnet. Opportunities exist for CEOS and GOIN agencies to participate in studies and pilot projects.

Access - The EOGEO99 was a successful meeting, and is proving to be an excellent forum for presentation and discussion of data integration issues. The next EOGEO'00 scheduled for April 2000 in the UK will be held in conjunction with the WGISS subgroups. Catalogue interoperability is a major focus of this group, and CMIS is beginning to take an important role in research directions, alongside of major CEOS agencies NASA, NOAA, etc.
Terry Fischer from Canada CCRS/Geomatics has been selected as nomination to CEOS Plenary as next WGISS Vice Chair. Ken MacDonald replaces him as Chair.

Data - WGISS is considering development of a new Task Team - 'Data Services'. The topics to be covered include: data interchange; access services; portrayal; and revenue models. A draft of this task will be circulated - it should be of interest to CSIRO. This group is also responsible for liaison with standards bodies ISO, FGDC, OGIS,etc. The Data Subgroup is seeking nominations for a VC.

Data Policy
A workshop was held exploring legal and commercial policy issues for accessing data internationally. In summary there were common aspirations for 'open' access to data, and for common policies re access and pricing on both commercial and non-commercial bases, but recognition existed that national policies were paramount. An open issue with agencies being asked to keep WGISS appraised of developments.

November meeting hosted by UNEP.

CSIRO to host WGISS in May 2000.