OPERATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY
443
The next steps: Existing preoperational systems need to be transformed into
operational systems. This requires:
x Satellite recurrent systems, which is potentially feasible because of
the lower cost of new technologies and the involvment of
operational agencies;
x In situ observation operational teams and tools which requires long
term coordinated commitment by national agencies;
x Permanent modelling and prediction systems;
x Services to intermediate and end users though public or private
service companies.
3.
GMES and GEOSS
It is clear that such an implementation requires an European or global
perspective. GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) is a
joint initiative of the European Commission and the European Space Agency
(ESA) to provide a sound basis to European policies related to environment
and security. GMES will provide Europe with an independent access to
global information useful, for example, for international conventions such as
the Kyoto Protocol. GMES will also develop applications for global change,
environmental security, and natural hazards.
GMES will include an extended partnership between the European
commission space agencies, industry and science. Development of GMES is
based on the ESA GMES services element (funded €83 million, 2002-06),
the 5
th FP call for proposals, and the 6
th FP Integrated Projects and Networks
of Excellence. GMES should become the European contribution to a GEOSS
(Global Earth Observation System of Systems) to be developed on the world
scale.
4.
The MERSEA concept
General objectives: MERSEA intends to produce, assess, and deliver realtime and continuous observations of the ocean’s three-dimensional structure
and associated biochemical components. MERSEA will also produce,
assess, and deliver in real-time hindcasts and forecasts of the threedimensional ocean variability at the highest resolution possible for the short
time scales (a few weeks). MERSEA intends to deliver a global scale
operational system. This will include support for shelf sea systems and
interconnection with coastal zone systems.
443
The next steps: Existing preoperational systems need to be transformed into
operational systems. This requires:
x Satellite recurrent systems, which is potentially feasible because of
the lower cost of new technologies and the involvment of
operational agencies;
x In situ observation operational teams and tools which requires long
term coordinated commitment by national agencies;
x Permanent modelling and prediction systems;
x Services to intermediate and end users though public or private
service companies.
3.
GMES and GEOSS
It is clear that such an implementation requires an European or global
perspective. GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) is a
joint initiative of the European Commission and the European Space Agency
(ESA) to provide a sound basis to European policies related to environment
and security. GMES will provide Europe with an independent access to
global information useful, for example, for international conventions such as
the Kyoto Protocol. GMES will also develop applications for global change,
environmental security, and natural hazards.
GMES will include an extended partnership between the European
commission space agencies, industry and science. Development of GMES is
based on the ESA GMES services element (funded €83 million, 2002-06),
the 5
th FP call for proposals, and the 6
th FP Integrated Projects and Networks
of Excellence. GMES should become the European contribution to a GEOSS
(Global Earth Observation System of Systems) to be developed on the world
scale.
4.
The MERSEA concept
General objectives: MERSEA intends to produce, assess, and deliver realtime and continuous observations of the ocean’s three-dimensional structure
and associated biochemical components. MERSEA will also produce,
assess, and deliver in real-time hindcasts and forecasts of the threedimensional ocean variability at the highest resolution possible for the short
time scales (a few weeks). MERSEA intends to deliver a global scale
operational system. This will include support for shelf sea systems and
interconnection with coastal zone systems.