Forward Progress Planned for GEOSS
January 1, 2006 By: Kevin P. CorbleyThe Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) is poised for a year of transitions in 2006. The international GEOSS initiative, which seeks to develop an integrated mechanism for linking individual networks of terrestrial and marine monitoring systems around the world, is gaining momentum.
"The Asian tsunami and U.S. hurricane season presented stunning reminders of the critical need of earth observation capabilities," said Nancy Colleton, president of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies and executive director of the Alliance for Earth Observations.
The Alliance for Earth Observations is hosting The Forum for Earth Observations II in February in La Jolla, California. The event is an international conference aimed at drawing attention to the importance of earth observation in a variety of business sectors. A major objective is to help industry leaders better understand the enormous positive social and economic impacts that can be gained through improved environmental information. Ideally, attendees will return to their countries and companies as advocates for earth observation systems.
In the intergovernmental arena, meetings held throughout the past three years and involving the 60 participating GEOSS countries may begin paying off in 2006 with tangible results. One example is the Earth Observation Partnership for the Americas (EOPA) that is spearheaded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Just as several European nations have discussed moving a reserve weather satellite over Africa to provide better weather forecasts for that continent, EOPA seeks to do the same for South America this year, with a retired but fully functional NOAA satellite.
NOAA is also taking steps to implement other GEOSS-related efforts on a national scale. On January 4, 2006, NOAA released a request for quotes for a conceptual design of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), a major element in what will become the U.S. Integrated Earth Observation System. The request for quotes represents a significant milestone because it is the first money that NOAA will spend to begin building the U.S. portion of the system. Narratives discussing the viability of the proposed IOOS will be delivered this spring and summer.
"2006 will be a busy year for GEOSS as we transition into the implementation stage of development," said Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. representative to the Group on Earth Observations. "We have developed a robust work plan of 94 work elements necessary to complete the first steps in the 10-year [GEOSS] implementation plan."
Among the projects nearing implementation is a "GEO Netcast," which will enable transmission of earth observation data to all parts of the globe, according to Lautenbacher. Other initiatives to watch for in 2006 include a National Drought Information System being pushed by the governors of western states regularly ravaged by wildfires.
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