OUTCOME OF WMO MEETINGS OF RELEVANCE TO ET-SAT. Outline of a Strategy for Improved Availability and Accessibility of Satellite Data and Products

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1 WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION COMMISSION FOR BASIC SYSTEMS OPEN PROGRAMME AREA GROUP ON INTEGRATED OBSERVING SYSTEMS EXPERT TEAM ON SATELLITE SYSTEMS NINTH SESSION GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, NOVEMBER 2014 ET-SAT-9/Doc. 2 (3) (6.XI.2014) ITEM: 2 Original: ENGLISH OUTCOME OF WMO MEETINGS OF RELEVANCE TO ET-SAT Outline of a Strategy for Improved Availability and Accessibility of Satellite Data and Products (Submitted by the Secretariat) Summary and Purpose of Document This document contains the outline of a strategy for improved availability and accessibility of satellite products, which has been presented to CGMS-42 and to the 2014 Extraordinary session of CBS. The CBS recommended refining this strategy in consultation with ET-SAT, ET-SUP, and OPAG ISS with a view to submit it to the sixteenth session of CBS, in ACTION PROPOSED The Expert Team is invited to take note for further consideration in the context of the development of a vision of the space-based observing system in 2040.

2 ET-SAT-9/Doc.2 (3), p. 1 OUTLINE OF THE UPDATED STRATEGY FOR IMPROVED AVAILABILITY OF SATELLITE DATA AND PRODUCTS 1. STATEMENT OF NEEDS 1.1 The WMO 2012 Survey on the Use of Satellite Data Trend in the usage of satellite data: - 80% of respondents state that their overall use of satellite data is increasing, across all regional associations and all application areas; - This trend is driven by many different factors, like demise of in-situ networks, new application areas, increased quality of satellite products, progress in NWP assimilation or increasing demand for value-added services that depend on satellite products. Access to satellite data: - Globally 40% of respondents however stated that accessing data in near-real-time is a challenge for the use of satellite data; - This figure showed strong regional variability from 32% for RA VI to 65% for RA V users and 72% to RA III. Discovery of satellite data: - Globally 39% of respondents also stated that Knowledge of available data is a challenge of the use of satellite data; - This figure showed marked regional variability from 31% for RA VI to 46% for RA I, 50% for RA III and 53% for RA V. Resources for exploiting satellite data: - Globally 64% of respondents stated that resources (personnel, training, tools, etc.) was a challenge for the use of satellite data; - This figure showed strong regional variability from 55% in RA IV to 78% in RA III and 83% in RA V. 1.2 Expected benefits To all WMO Members: secure the value chain for satellite data usage, enabling all WMO members to exploit the full benefits of satellite data; To satellite data users: enhance the capabilities to access satellite data and products, in today s and tomorrow s technical environment, and help optimize their investments for data access; To satellite operators: to guide future developments of the application component of their ground segment, and to reach out to a wider user community. 2. BACKGROUND: IGDDS ACHIEVEMENTS, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES 2.1 Evolution of the IGDDS concept The initial scope of the Integrated Global Data Dissemination Service (IGDDS) adopted by CM-4 and EC-LXI in 2004 was to address the data access challenges in considering an IGDDS that builds on the Alternative Dissemination Methods concept (global dissemination service for satellite data and products based on DVB-S standard with telecommunications satellites) ; With the emergence of the WIS, the scope of IGDDS was widened in 2006 to ensure that space-based observation data and products would be handled in an integrated manner with the other (non-space) data;

3 ET-SAT-9/Doc.2 (3), p. 2 Furthermore it was recognized, that the so-called ADM (i.e. the use of DVB-S services) should not exclude other means such as Direct Broadcast or terrestrial networks or Internet. Direct Broadcast should continue to play important roles in addition to DVB-S services, especially for real-time access to LEO data; Finally, IGDDS was defined in the IGDDS Implementation Plan (V 2, November 2007) as the whole circulation scheme of satellite data & products, in compliance with WIS standards, with an overarching goal to enhance data access by WMO Members. Achieving worldwide dissemination of satellite data and products by DVB-S services, as documented in the DVB-S Operator standard for IGDDS, remains a core objective, but without being limitative. 2.2 IGDDS achievements A regional dialogue on Data Requirements has been initiated and formalized in most of the regional associations, framed by Resolution 12 (EC-65) and recommended by CBS-15; The WMO Space Programme became a regular contributor to the NAEDEX-APSDEU meetings on satellite data requirements for NWP; A range of rebroadcast services in DVB-S standard has been established operationally, and is coordinated through the GEONETCast Implementation Group. A DVB-S Operator Standard for IGDDS has been developed (2009); A RARS Operator Standard document was developed and RARS coding recommendations are maintained. The RARS network has nearly completed its initial objective (ATOVS relay over 90% of the globe) and was presented to the satellite sounding community through posters and presentations at International TOVS Scientific Conferences; On-going WIS implementation, in particular regarding monitoring and metadata and catalogue standardization; IGDDS and RARS Implementation Groups were established and had four successful joint meetings in 2007 to RARS meetings were held in 2013 and A Task Force on Satellite Data Codes was established and has provided input to the ISS Expert Team on Data Representation and Codes; On-line resources have been established to document the data available (web page and the Products Access Guide). 2.3 New Challenges Remaining difficulties for many users to access satellite data; New user communities for satellite data (ocean, space weather, ); Increasing relevance of R&D satellite data for operational applications; Need to consolidate and coordinate data access methods. There are various technical options to access data, but this causes dispersion of efforts; Future LEO and GEO satellite systems will cause an explosive development of data volumes, also posing particular challenges for regional and global data exchange; The high-volume satellite data represent a particular challenge for the WMO objective of integration of all information systems under the umbrella of WIS; Increasing pressure on Radio-frequency spectrum for direct broadcast; Fast evolution of dissemination-relevant technologies, increased need to anticipate changes in the technology landscape.

4 ET-SAT-9/Doc.2 (3), p. 3 Estimated Evolution of Satellite Data Rates based on Direct Broadcast rates 1000 Total 100 Mb/s NOAA pm METOP FY-1 FY-3 NPOESS-1+2 Meteor-M Meteosat MSG GOES E,W GOES-R MTSAT Elektro-L FY-2-C,E FY-4-A,B Total NOAA pm METOP FY-1 FY-3 NPOESS-1+2 Meteor-M Meteosat MSG GOES E,W GOES-R MTSAT Elektro-L FY-2-C,E FY-4-A,B Total Figure 1: Evolution of raw data rates generated by satellite systems (semi-log scale) over 3 d d Figure 2: State-of-the art future Multi-Mission Data Provision Infrastructure (Courtesy of EUMETSAT) 2.4 Data/Product usage scenario General trend for increased use, but with different types of usage; Massive data use by NWP: data exchange optimization mainly low-level data, stringent timeliness constraints, expanding range of data (atmosphere, ocean, chemistry, land surface); Widespread use of full-resolution data as required for product development/generation, though no longer systematic: focus on thematic areas of competences; Increased sharing of products: implied transparent validation and documentation (QA4EO); Emerging use of virtual workplaces (See ESA CCI Phase 2) for high-volume data sets; Some high-timeliness low-connectivity users require adequate products and services, e.g. in developing countries, or small island countries exposed to tropical cyclones. 3. STRATEGY REFORMULATION Whilst the main priorities outlined in the IGDDS Implementation Plan remain valid, it is appropriate after 10 years to reformulate the guidance to satellite data dissemination and access, in a broader and updated perspective now termed Satellite Data Dissemination Strategy (SDDS). 3.1 Scope The new direction to satellite data dissemination and access needs to be communicated to a wide range of parties, including the satellite and WIS worlds and user communities; Most of the actions are relying on satellite data providers, in coordination with CGMS and the WIS world, which makes it difficult to determine and maintain a comprehensive action plan like the former IGDDS Implementation Plan; We should instead, on one hand, describe a Vision with high-level goals to be agreed upon by CGMS and WIS stakeholders and, on the other hand, define a limited set of focused, measurable actions with identified responsible entities (Secretariat and specific expert teams); The effort to enhance data access and dissemination is now reformulated as a new, broad strategy. 3.2 Technical opportunities for a new strategy The commitment of CGMS members to continue coordinating Direct Broadcast standards for LEO as exemplified in last update for the new X-band LEO DB services; Increased use of DVB-S2 for SATCOM rebroadcast;

5 ET-SAT-9/Doc.2 (3), p. 4 New momentum to expand the RARS projects, including NOAA DBRTN initiative for NPP- JPSS; Increasing capacity and functionality of terrestrial networks; Space agencies are reconsidering their ground segment strategy to better take into account user needs and technology evolutions; Examples: HimawariCast system being established by JMA, or the planned multi-mission data access architecture from EUMETSAT (Fig. 2). 3.3 SDDS vision and strategic targets The new Satellite Data Dissemination Strategy (SDDS), includes: - A vision; - Strategic targets realizing the vision; - Strategic activity threads for the realization; - A concept for overseeing the strategy implementation. Vision: Timely and reliable access through the WIS to all satellite data and products needed to meet the operational needs of all WMO Members. This vision will be realized through the specific targets: - Regional and thematic dialogues maintaining data requirements; - Re-broadcast DVB services available in all Regions and integrated in WIS; - Globally required satellite data provided to the WIS core network; - Exchange of other satellite data and products between Regions; - Use of appropriate, standardized formats; - Global coverage of LEO Direct Readout Acquisition and Relay systems; - Globally coordinated Direct Broadcast from LEO and GEO; - Routine access to required data and products from R&D satellites; - Dissemination providers acting as WIS DCPC, by providing coordinated data discovery, data access and data retrieval (DAR) for all satellite data; - On-demand access to satellite data and products through the WIS; - Information and guidance to users. Figure 3: SDDS Regional and global components Figure 4: Vision of satellite data access in WIS context

6 ET-SAT-9/Doc.2 (3), p STRATEGIC GUIDANCE AND REPORTING While the original IGDDS project was focusing on one particular objective, to set up a range of DVB-S broadcast systems, the current strategy aims to a more comprehensive and balanced approach, which is also more complex. Only concerted action with multiple stakeholders in a number of different areas will realize the vision. WMO Space Programme shall ensure regular consultation of satellite data providers and users, and report to relevant WMO bodies on the progress of implementation, based on strategic indicators. The process should also be informed by some technology watch to check that advantage is taken of relevant emerging ICT capabilities. Figure 5: Functional elements to be addressed (rectangles) and implementing partners (ovals).