GMES is an information system which covers all the necessary steps from data acquisition to service delivery to the end-users. Data acquisition requires in-situ observations as well as space-based observations. By in-situ observations, we mean observations captured locally, i.e. within a few kilometres of the object or phenomenon being observed, thus including measurements taken at ground station or by aircraft. Space-based and in-situ observations are complementary, as both have limitations.

To address the limitations of in-situ monitoring systems, OSIRIS will focus on the state of the art technologies for smart sensors. The objectives of this project are to develop the technologies and necessary software for smart sensors networks deployments and operations.

The main objective of the OSIRIS project is to enhance the overall efficiency of the in-situ data processing chain by connecting the in-situ sensors via an intelligent and versatile network infrastructure that will enable the end-users to access to multi-domain sensors information.

Firstly, OSIRIS will address the smart deployment, use and reconfiguration of network of sensors in the monitoring or crisis phase. Secondly, it will develop architectures enabling the easy share of data and access of services, taking into account the data right management. Thirdly, it will provide the required technologies to allow for the customisation of sensors or sensors network to fulfil end-users needs and define interoperability within an In-situ Monitoring sensor web.

Finally, an experimental validation based on end-users requirements will be conducted to support the proposed concepts and investigate options to improve in-situ observations dissemination, addressing three thematic in the natural resources domain: forest fires monitoring, air pollution monitoring, water resource monitoring (in quantity and quality - pollution). A cost/benefit analysis will also verify technological choices made in OSIRIS.