Introduction
Background
Dr. Toshio Koike, lead scientist of CEOP, approached CEOS with a request for JAXA, NASA, ESA and EUMETSAT to contribute data to the CEOP project.
In addition, Dr. Koike approached CEOS WGISS with a request for assistance providing technology to develop a distributed CEOP data integration, distribution and analysis prototype system.
Purpose and Contribution
The purpose of the WGISS Test Facility for CEOP (WTF-CEOP) is to provide assistance to the CEOP science community in the development of data services associated with CEOP data integration.
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is the lead agency in development of the Distributed Data Integration System (or WTF-CEOP system). The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the U.S. is contributing to WTF-CEOP through the development of an interface to allow WTF-CEOP system to access satellite data from their OGC Web Coverage Server.
Structure/Organization
Background
The Coordinated Energy and Water Cycle Observation Project (CEOP), which is built upon the foundation of the World Climate Research Program (WCRP) in cooperation with the World Meteorolozical Organization (WMO) and the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) under the framework of the Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership (IGOS-P), seeks to establish an integrated global observing system for the water cycle which responds to both scientific and social needs.
CEOP was originally envisioned as a major step towards bringing together the research activities in the GEWEX Hydrometeorology Panel (GHP) and is being developed and implemented within the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). It has been endorsed by the Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership (IGOS-P) as the first element of the IGOS Water Cycle Theme.
The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) agencies are contributing to CEOP on a best effort basis. CEOS WGISS (Working Group on Information Systems and Services) support development of WGISS Test Facilities (WTF) to apply services and tools developed by the CEOS member Space Agencies to projects of relevance to CEOS. An initial focus is to meet the information and data needs of the CEOP project.
Contributions
Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) member agencies are contributing to CEOP in two major ways:
Contribution of satellite data, and services for satellite data preparation.
Development of the Distributed Data Integration System (or WTF-CEOP system) to provide CEOP data access, processing and distribution to the CEOP science community.
JAXA, NASA, ESA and EUMETSAT are contributing satellite data and data subsetting services towards development of a satellite data archive for CEOP.
JAXA, as the lead agency, and with contribution from NASA, are developing the WTF-CEOP system to provide distributed data integration of CEOP data. This work recognizes the endorsment by the Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership (IGOS-P) as the first element of the IGOS Water Cycle Theme (refer to the following figure).
About CEOS
The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) is an international coordinating mechanism charged with coordinating international civil spaceborne missions designed to observe and study planet Earth.
Comprising 23 Members (most of which are space agencies) and 21 Associates (associated national and international organizations), CEOS is recognized as the major international forum for the coordination of Earth observation satellite programs and for interaction of these programs with users of satellite data worldwide.
Individual participating agencies make their best efforts to implement CEOS recommendations.
The main goal of CEOS is to ensure that critical scientific questions relating to Earth observation and global change are covered and that satellite missions do not unnecessarily overlap each other.
The three primary objectives of CEOS are as follows:
To optimize benefits of spaceborne Earth observations through cooperation of its participants in mission planning and in development of compatible data products, formats, services, applications, and policies
To serve as a focal point for international coordination of space-related Earth observation activities
To exchange policy and technical information to encourage complementarity and compatibility of observation and data exchange systems
About WGISS
WGISS aims to stimulate, coordinate, and monitor the development of the systems and services which manage and supply the data and information from participating agencies missions.
WGISS aims to assist CEOS participating agencies, as data providers, to maintain efficient support to diverse users worldwide for easy access and application of that data.
Thus, WGISS aims to address the needs of data providers by improving their efficiency of operation and maximizing the usefulness and benefit of the EO data which they gather.
WGISS also addresses the needs of data and information users by aiding the development of simpler and wider access to the resources they require.
WGISS places great emphasis on the use of demonstration projects involving user groups to solve the critical interoperability issues associated with the achievement of global services.
WGISS has developed a number of tools, standards, and services to assist access to and use of Earth observation data resources available online.
Most of the technical work of WGISS is carried out in Subgroups and Task Teams.
About WTF-CEOP
The WGISS Test Facility offers a framework under which WGISS works in partnership with selected international science and EO projects to test and develop information systems and services prototypes to meet their requirements.
Specific WGISS Test Facilities are established to address the needs of individual science projects.
By making available WGISS Test Facilities for this purpose, WGISS information systems, services and products are demonstrated and improved taking into account user requirements and lessons learned.