ESA's Earth Observation Programmes in the context of Space 4.0 and with a view to the Changing Anthropocene
Abstract
The Earth system behaves as a single, highly coupled system comprising physical, chemical and biological components and processes, on which humanity is having significant effects. There are complex interactions and feedbacks between the Earth system components that cut across disciplinary boundaries of the Earth sciences and take place over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Even in the absence of external forcing, the Earth system exhibits considerable natural variability, which needs to be understood and distinguished from human-induced trends. The societal challenges that humankind faces require a strategic and sustained response also in the view of new Earth Observation techniques such as data analytics and artificial intelligence, as well as the advent of Big Data. This presentation will give an overview of ESA's Earth Observation programmes with its major 'pillars', its relevance to studying the anthropocene and provide a look into the future in the context of Space 4.0. ESA's Earth observation missions are mainly grouped into three major categories: The operational Sentinel satellites in the context of the European Copernicus Programme, the scientific Earth Explorers and the meteorological missions, which ESA is jointly developing with Eumetsat. Developments, applications and scientific results for the different mission types will be addressed, along with overall trends and strategies.The Earth Explorers, who form the science and research element of ESA's Living Planet Programme, focus on the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and Earth's interior. The Earth Explorers also aim at learning more about the interactions between these components and the impact that human activity is having on natural Earth processes.The Sentinel missions provide accurate, timely, long term and uninterrupted data to provide key information services, improving the way the environment is managed, and helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. The operational Sentinel satellites can also be exploited for scientific studies of the anthropocene. ESA's meteorological programmes include the geostationary (Meteosat) and low-Earth polar orbit Meteorological Operational (MetOp) satellites, both of which have been developed in cooperation with Eumetsat. In the anthropocene human activities affect the whole planet and space is a very efficient means to measure their impact, but for relevant endeavours to be successful they can only be carried out in international cooperation. ESA maintains long-standing partnerships with other space agencies and institutions worldwide. In running its Earth observation programmes, ESA responds to societal needs and challenges and to requirements resulting from political priorities set by decision makers. Activities related to Climate Change are a prime example. Within ESA's Climate Change Initiative, Essential Climate Variables are constantly monitored to create a long-term record of key geophysical parameters.
- Publication:
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42nd COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018cosp...42E.133A