New application feasibility studies for the Centre for Earth Observation
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre has published an invitation to tender concerning the feasibility studies of new applications for the Centre for Earth Observation (CEO) programme. The CEO programme of the European Commission aims at stimulating the use of earth observation data and at enhancing Europe-wide communication in the production and exchange of information and data between earth observation service providers and users. The CEO is now in its design and implementation phase, which will run from 1996 to 1998. The feasibility studies will: - 1. For a number of applications, identify the geophysical parameters that need to be measured and the requirements for the quality of these measurements (accuracy, spatial resolution, delay of availability, repeating cycle, etc.); - 2. Inventory and synthetically describe the presently available methodologies for measuring the geophysical parameters using space data and assess to what extent they meet the requirements of the various applications; - 3. Assess the improvements expected with the use of the new sensors and related advanced analysis methodologies; - 4. Give a prospective view on the improvements that could potentially be achieved with a dedicated sensor, optimized for the application; - 5. Present the information collected under the four sections above in a high-quality, easy to consult, reference document and in the form of databases. The two thematic areas for which separate proposals are required, are as follows: - A. Characterization of inland and coastal water with space sensors: . For monitoring lakes and rivers (biological activity, pollution); . For monitoring coastal water quality (including algal blooms). - B. Characterization of aerosols over land with space sensors: . For monitoring urban/local, regional and transboundary air pollution; . For mapping radiation (UV and visible); . For performing atmospheric correction of space optical sensor data. The work is to be finished during 1998. Tender documents can be obtained from: European Commission Joint Research Centre Mr. P. Churchill TP 441 I-21020 Ispra Tel. +39-332-785425; Fax +39-332-785461 E-mail: ceo.helpdesk@jrc.it