JRC hands Earth observation system to ESA
After successfully having developed and operated a web-based Earth observation information system called INFEO, the JRC (Joint Research Centre) has transferred it to the ESA (European Space Agency) for further development. INFEO allows users to query Earth observation related catalogues throughout the world, from large inventories of space data to smaller geo-referenced data sets with a resolution ranging from five metres to five kilometres or more. The existence of a single point for Earth observation information is possible due to the adoption of a common language, allowing one to query different remote data catalogues in a consistent manner. Up to 60 catalogues can be accessed simultaneously. The technology transfer from the JRC to the ESA follows the European Commission's Communication on space of 16 November 2000, where the intention of closer relations between the EU and the ESA was stated.