Report on the 4th meeting of the
Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS)
Working Group on Information Systems and Services (WGISS 4)
Ottawa May 1997
Mike Clarke, CMIS, Canberra
Background
CEOS is an international consortium of space agencies operating together on a 'best efforts' basis to achieve harmonisation of operational matters particularly with respect to international science programs directed to among others environment and hazards management.
WGISS is charged with supporting the general CEOS activity and focuses on interoperability between agency data collections, enabling services in support of users, and global network development. These activities are covered by three technical sub-groups labelled Data, Access and Networks. The distinction between Data and Access is essentially pre- and post- archive, although both recognise the increasingly fuzzy boundary.
WGISS defines tasks through a 5 year work program which can be amended every 6 months, and tasks are sponsored at agency or sub-group levels. In the main tasks run parallel with agency activity. There is no (?to my knowledge) direct external funding with tasks being supported from within agencies. The general tenor of the work is in leading edge development, probably with participation from R&D groups within each agency's country.
This WGISS meeting was held in two parts. Mon and Tuesday was devoted to a WGISS Strategy Task Team meeting, Wed to Fri was the WGISS General Session meeting.
WGISS Strategy Task Team Meeting Report
The basic questions for resolution were:
The discussions were supported by reports from sub-groups outlining future technologies and other influences and their likely impact on WGISS activities.
The technology influences were the 'common' set - more satellites, more data, bigger and better technologies. Reservation were also common: how will this provide better information, and a how far away is effective data integration and a real products and service environment.
There were several mindsets evident - Europeans were focused on endusers from a commercial perspective, NOAA/NASA had more of a 'science' user brief, and Japan wanted to apply data in a science project context to support developing economies in Asia.
In the end the high level questions were resolved down to various issues -
Discussion of these topics over the two days led to the following observations:
There were several resolutions to address these issues
These resolutions were to be presented for discussion to the WGISS meeting.
WGISS General Session Meeting Report
The general meeting followed a close agenda with sub-groups reporting on their activities, major project areas giving status reports and coverage of previous and current business.
The content of the reporting and discussion is contained in attached minutes and papers.
Points of interest:::
CILS, CEOS Information Locator Service, developed by DLR (German Remote Sensing Agency) will be installed at COSSA by July
CEOS have provided a CEOS Yellow Pages, developed by NASDA
ESA/ESRIN have EarthNet on-line sevice to supercede EWSE. The system is available on request.
CCRS ( Canadian Centre for Remote Sensing) have developed a prototype system Canadian Geo-spatial Data Interface (CGDI) based on GrassLand and ODGI
Canada (CCRS and CEONet) are pushing ahead on data access and integration, and are (I guess) promoting themselves as lead agents for this activity. As mentioned earlier they are promoting CGDI and Grassland as a technology. As an aside CCRS are developing a four pronged approach to their data management systems. (CEONet, CEOArch, CEOCat and CEODesk). The archiving subsystem appears to be based wholly on RAID model
Blue Angel Technologies (Pennsylvania US) are developing a server based on FGDC/GEO
Logica UK have a contract with the European Commission to develop a Catalogue Interoperabilty Protocol (CIP) - this has the support of ESA/ESRIN.
FGDC has been proposed as the ISO TC 211 standard, and a modified CIP has been proposed as the image standard. (I think this is right although I may be confused).
A global 1km DTM dataset is available from www.ngdc.noaa.gov
NASA is promoting use of NASA networks where there is spare capacity. I inquired about regional (Canberra) network ie Tidbinbilla, but apparently that doesnt count as it appears to be a Department of Defence rather than NASA. There may be advantage in exploring this some more.
Discussion:
Catalogue Interoperability - This was a substantial issue. There was agreement on the general motivation and direction but a motion put by JRC Centre for Earth Observation that 'agencies commit to the CIP protocol' was not accepted mainly by the vigorous effort of the Chair (Helen Wood, NOAA). The argument being that CEOS was a best efforts group, and agencies could not commit on such a specific issue. A modified statement (suggested by CSIRO and proclaimed by JRC as averting an international incident!) stated in essence that 'A common protocol was a desirable goal, CIP at the moment was the best bet, and that all agencies commit to support the on-going development of CIP. This was accepted.
Project Focus - A draft document (attached herein) proposed to be forwarded to IGOS was debated and accepted. In essence WGISS is targetting 6 IGOS projects and offering the specific support of WGISS expertise to the projects. The draft is attached. This is to be circulated and points of contact for each individual project nominated. Expression of interest from agencies will then be sought on participation in specific projects.
Action: CSIRO will need to assess which if any projects it may wish to support in some way.
Writing Teams - Two teams were established with specific tasks a) review the CEOS 5 year Work Plan and b) prepare a paper on User Model, Needs and Requirements. CSIRO volunteered for both tasks - Jeff Kingwell is nominated for the former; Mike Clarke for the latter.
Action: Clarke, Kingwell .respond as appropriate
CD-ROM - The offer of the next phase of development of the CD was accepted. CNES will proceed to provide a WWW version, and an update of material.
Action: CSIRO to forward copies to responding parties.
Summary
The WGISS community is very active and productive. They play an important role in the support of information systems to global science programs, and an increasingly important role in commercial environments. The latter pressure seems to be emanating more from Europe and Canada, rather than US, while Japan seems to have an each way bet.
It appears (to my limited view) that regional and parochial interests are a two edge sword both driving the work of CEOS and at the same time limiting cooperation. This is probably overstating the issues but for example multiple agencies are developing competing software services and there are still numerous catalogue formats (which to be fair the agencies are trying to overcome). There is a strong push from the European Community to head to a common Catalogue Interoperability Protocol, and they are actively developing that through a tender process ( I think Logica UK have a contract to deliver this). NASDA (Japan) NOAA, NASA (USA) and CSA (Canada) are there in spirit but have difficulty in speaking for and consequently commiting on behalf of their broad constituent base.
Agencies recognise this difficulty in trying to serve both a national and a global perspective and the WGISS Strategy Task Team has it as a standing issue for consideration.
There is strong multi-lateral participation in technical sub-groups where R&D is monitored and leading edge developments undertaken. Sometimes these developments occur inside an agency, although there appears to be a trend to contract to industry. (eg JRC/CEO contract EU countries, NASDA has contracts with Smith Systems of UK)
The target areas for development are on-line access to data, data integration, real-time product processing, and technology to support 'enabling services'.
To date Agencies seem to have championed specific tasks, and then contribute them to the community. If CSIRO wishes to participate and contribute to this effort, we need to determine a strategy which considers both CSIRO-specific and national issues.
Recommendation:
I suggest a meeting (BJJE, JK, DA, MWC) to formulate a position on how CMIS might best respond to on-going CEOS WGISS strategic issues and more specifically the IGOS project proposal.
Mike Clarke
25 May 97
Attachment - Proposal to the CEOS Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Initiative16th May, 1997
Minutes and papers etc to be forwarded when available
Version 2.1a
Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS)
Working Group on Information Systems and Services (WGISS)
Proposal to the CEOS Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Initiative
Background
Noting the CEOS charge to its Working Groups to support the development of IGOS, at its 4th meeting in Ottawa in May, WGISS considered its approach to IGOS. It reviewed the overall objectives of the IGOS, defined at the 10th CEOS Plenary Meeting in Canberra and at the IGOS Strategic Implementation Team (SIT) meeting in Irvine. The defined objectives of the IGOS are to "...provide on one level a strategic framework within which agencies can work to develop specific systems embracing both in situ and space based observations, and the need to ensure that value is added... through integrated planning and a strategic approach", and through this to match user requirements to the capabilities of existing and planned space system capabilities. WGISS has the responsibility within CEOS to harmonise EO based information systems and services, especially with regard to interoperability with spatial and non-spatial data. Thus, WGISS is well positioned to provide support to the development of IGOS.
WGISS also considered the six IGOS pilot projects as identified at the SIT, and further elaborated at the IGOS Analysis Group (AG) meeting in Darmstadt. WGISS's current Five Year Plan considers such projects as an important way to proceed to achieve the aims, and to focus the technical work of WGISS. Indeed these projects are, in a number of cases, mirrored by Task Team activities currently underway within WGISS.
In this context WGISS concluded that the technical work undertaken by participating agencies within WGISS could be of great assistance to the successful implementation of IGOS. Aspects related to the availability, access and application of data, information and services will need to form part of the IGOS project implementation. WGISS provides the technical framework within CEOS where technical information exchange of this nature is undertaken.
On this basis WGISS offers to actively participate in the IGOS initiative, and will allocate its resources and target its activities towards this objective.
WGISS Role
WGISS aims to assist CEOS participating agencies, as data and information providers and users, to maintain efficient support to diverse users world-wide for easy access and application of data and information.
The scope of WGISS is to provide a framework for addressing the needs of data providers and users. As such, all activities related to the capture, description, processing, access, retrieval, utilisation, maintenance and exchange of spaceborne Earth observation data, with other spatial data sets and models, are within the scope of WGISS.
A major feature of the WGISS Work Plan is to participate in pilot demonstration projects, which not only bring the benefits of EO data to the user and application community, but also provide these benefits efficiently through the use of techniques and tools made available through the WGISS endeavours (such as directory and catalogue services, networks and using agreed data formats).
WGISS Proposal
The six projects identified by IGOS will require a wide range of work, some of which extends beyond the scope of WGISS. However it will place heavy demands on many aspects of data provision, access and preparation, which are the very topics WGISS has spent many years in developing suitable methods, tools and techniques to satisfy. The work proposed to be undertaken in the IGOS context will also be used by WGISS to focus its activities on priority requirements.
There are two essential elements of the IGOS pilot projects. The first will be the analysis of the regular and reliable availability of space data in response to specified user needs. The second will be where availability is not assured, the development of new data products and information services which can fill particular gaps. On these two subjects WGISS can contribute essential skills and experience in the following areas:
Data Identification: seeking and locating the data needed for a number of the projects can greatly benefit from the advanced tools and techniques developed within WGISS. WGISS participation will help to ensure that the most advanced methods will be available to IGOS projects, together with personnel from CEOS participating agencies capable of using these tools most effectively and updating them to meet specific project requirements.
Data Delivery: once identified, the delivery of data can be substantially streamlined by using advanced network capabilities. Depending on the location of the data, there may be constraints imposed by bandwidth and the availability of the network. The WGISS Network Sub-Group is well placed to advise and assist in the selection of the best method to achieve each task and to establish custom links where necessary.
Data and its Preparation: Prior to interpretation and use, data must be suitably prepared to permit inter-use. This will involve preparing data formats, and geometric transformation to match with selected map projections. Past and current projects, such as the experience gained from the AVHRR 1km project, Global Land One Kilometre Base Elevation (GLOBE) project, Hazards and Emergency Response and Ocean Colour will provide a good foundation to meet the IGOS needs.
Contribution Mechanism
Work will be undertaken within the WGISS Sub-Groups, supported by its technical and Strategy Task Teams, which will provide flexibility and allows WGISS to adapt to new requirements easily. This structure will allow ready and rapid adoption of tasks agreed with the IGOS project leaders. To assist in the efficient tasking of WGISS resources in support of IGOS projects, it is proposed to appoint a WGISS point of contact for each project who will facilitate the work. The WGISS Chair will continue to participate as a member of the IGOS SIT, and will act as an initial point of contact for WGISS.
Within this context it is recognised that the work to be undertaken by the Working Group on Calibration and Validation closely parallels the work proposed by WGISS. Close liaison between the two Working Groups will be assured, initially at the Working Group Chair level.
An initial evaluation of the opportunities for participation of WGISS in each of the six IGOS projects is enclosed in the Annex.
Conclusions
In conclusion, WGISS recognises the important opportunity offered by the IGOS initiative. WGISS has a good track record in achieving results, and has an extensive programme of relevant current work. The resources harnessed by WGISS are well organised and structured, and can be brought to bear without delay on the IGOS objectives.
ANNEX
Potential WGISS Participation In IGOS Projects
IGOS PROJECT
Long Term Continuity of Stratospheric Ozone Observations
Activity:
This IGOS Project will examine and review measurements requirements against data availability in order to optimise present measurement systems in the shorter term and to recommend what additional instruments are required, with an emphasis on the continuity and consistency of a limited set of measurement parameters. These measurements are obtained by both ground- and space-based observation systems.
WGISS Contribution:
WGISS is prepared to examine current data management and access procedures and systems for the specified data. An end-to-end review of the handling of the involved measurements can be performed. Where WGISS members, affiliates, or observer agencies/organizations are involved, any suggestions for more optimal procedures or existing systems will be immediately considered. For example, issues related to data delivery and networks can be addressed.
WGISS Point of Contact:
tbd
IGOS PROJECT
Global Observation of Forest Cover
Activity:
This IGOS project will provide a distributed database providing systematic, complete and reliable geo-referenced forest cover and forest cover change information which can be accessed by a wide spectrum of users. Both optical and microwave satellite instruments will be identified as sources which can be utilized in the creation of this global database.
CEOS WGISS Contribution:
WGISS proposes to collaborate in this undertaking. The CEOS/IGBP-DIS High Resolution Satellite Data Project has recently passed into WGISS domain, as it moves from the pilot to demonstration phase. CEOS member agencies hold, manage, and disseminate much of the needed data, and the WGISS encompasses the data managers and technicians who provide these services. WGISS can provide optimization of data delivery, tools to harmonize disparate databases, and networks and applications to connect and link distributed catalogues and databases.
CEOS WGISS members recognize that there are current projects and multiple data sources within agencies which will contribute to such a database. A well-known project example is the NASA-sponsored Landsat Pathfinder Humid Tropical Forest Inventory Project, which has collected, mosaiced, and analysed epochal Landsat MSS and TM data and high-resolution data from other sources from 3 decades to provide such forest cover and forest cover change information in the humid tropical forest.
WGISS Point of Contact:
tbd
IGOS PROJECT
Disaster Monitoring and Management Support
Activity:
Foster improved utilization of existing EO satellites to support disaster prediction, monitoring and mitigation on a worldwide basis. Demonstrated success in the use of EO satellites for disaster monitoring response may result in increased support for research and development to sustain, expand, and improve EO capabilities for such applications in the future
Contribution of WGISS:
The expected approach is to work with emergency management authorities with broad geographical responsibility to develop and demonstrate EO data capabilities which can contribute to disaster monitoring and management. Recently a project was initiated within CEOS WGISS on Hazards and Emergency Response. This activity and other WGISS Task Team capabilities can be drawn upon to support this high-visibility, high-impact project.
As an initial step WGISS is prepared to support the development of a project home page, as suggested by NOAA but not yet discussed by the IGOS Project. This home page would document project activities and serve as a test bed clearinghouse for access to disaster products. This home page and additional WGISS capabilities will support such activities as:
-- supply simple data search mechanism
-- analyze network performance and provide CEOSNet upgrade if needed
-- enable data interuse (disaster mitigators are looking for easy to use products)
Training and outreach is a must. CEOS agencies, as a result of WGISS understanding of the IGOS project hazards needs, will be able to proactively promote products, and to modify products to user needs.
WGISS Point of Contact
tbd
IGOS PROJECT
Upper Air Measurements Including Upper Air Network and Tropospheric Winds from Space
Activity:
This activity is aimed at mitigating the impact of the reduction of ground based radiosonde observations of the upper atmosphere and the expected removal of omega sondes later in 1997 by replacing them with new satellite products.
WGISS Contribution:
CEOS WGISS sees this project as having two aspects, a science activity, with research directed at creating new products and a near-real integration activity for international use of the new products. These activities are coordinated through the WMO and CGMS. CEOS WGISS will stand by and remain informed of the status of this important task, and is prepared to participate if at any time this might be helpful.
WGISS Point of Contact
tbd
IGOS PROJECT
Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment
Activity:
This IGOS pilot is concerned with a practical demonstration of real-time global ocean data assimilation in order to provide a regular, complete depiction of the ocean circulation at time scales of a few days, space scales of several tens of kilometers, and consistent with a suite of remote and direct measurements and appropriate dynamical and physical constraints
WGISS Contribution:
The overall WGISS contribution would be to provide a method for systematic handling, quality control, and scientifically consistent interpretation (analysis) of additional data sets such as those from process studies and arising from incidental exploration. This will include the following:
-- Feasibility and scoping of telemetry, communication and other data and information management requirements
-- Organizational arrangements including international coordination relative to data and information management components
-- Increased coordination between data providers (in-situ and remote sensing data) and data users
-- Data assembly methods, real time communications.
-- Planning for archival of data and derived products, including in-situ data acquired for cal/val purposes
WGISS Point of Contact:
tbd
IGOS PROJECT
Long Term Ocean Biology Measurements
Activity:
This IGOS pilot is concerned with the acquisition of ocean color data in support of scientific studies of bio-geochemical and ecosystem processes affecting the role of the oceans in climate change, coastal zone resources, and fisheries and marine resources. Data products are needed for scientific research (time series, annual to decadal time scales for global change prediction research); operational products (short term, daily to seasonal time scales for environmental impact assessment); and methodological validation products (for remote sensing technique development and intercomparison of different ocean color sensors).
Contribution of WGISS:
A data merging effort to provide a mechanism of developing and testing algorithms that can be applied routinely to produce improved time-series of geophysical variables provided by the various missions (e.g. chlorophyll-a concentration, dissolved organic matter, atmospheric aerosol content).
This will include the following:
-- Development of multi-sensor data streams and products
-- Increased coordination between data providers (in-situ and remote sensing data) and data users
-- Planning for archival of data and derived products, including in-situ data acquired for cal/val purposes.
-- A data merging effort to provide a mechanism of developing and testing algorithms that can be applied routinely to produce improved time-series of geophysical variables provided by the various missions (e.g. chlorophyll-a concentration, dissolved organic matter, atmospheric aerosol content).
WGISS Point of Contact:
tbd