IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine - June 2014 - 45

Mean Sea Level (cm)

system science community
in terms of novel observations, new algorithms and
products, and innovative
Earth science results. New
applications of the Earth
Explorer observations are
developed to broaden the
user base beyond the original science communities
and to promote new scienFigure 9. SEOM Land Remote Sensing Training 2013 (ESA).
tific results and discoveries
by demonstrating the value
In addition, continued science users consultations
of these types of mission as precursors for potential future
are planned such as Senmission concepts. For more information please visit http://
tinel-2 for Science (May
due.esrin.esa.int/stse/.
2014, POLINSAR/BIOMASS
One notable example is the GOCE satellite, which was
The DevelopmenT anD
workshops (January 2015),
launched in 2009 as ESA's first Earth Explorer mission
exploiTaTion ComponenT
FRINGE Sentinel-1 for interand operated until November 2013 to measure the Earth's
oF The eo envelope
ferometry (March 2015). For
gravity field with unprecedented accuracy and resolution.
program FosTers The
more information please
GOCE contributed to the modelling of air density and
emergenCe oF new
visit http://seom.esa.int/.
winds in the upper atmosphere. This allowed analyzing
sCienCe using The
the significance of temporary anomalies (or ripples) in the
measuremenTs ColleCTeD
4) Value adding
density distribution and resulting in the first-ever discoveleMent (Vae)
ery of acoustic waves in space (Fig. 7).
by The saTelliTes anD
A substant ia l, and e ver
promoTes The TransFer
increasing, number of EO
3) Scientific exploitation of
oF researCh anD
satellites are systematically
operational MiSSionS (SeoM)
DevelopmenT (r&D) To
monitoring Earth and proThe prime objective of the SEOM element is to federoperaTional appliCaTions
viding data that can be used
ate, support and expand the large international research
anD preCursor serviCes.
as inputs for the delivery
community build up over the last 20 years. It will furof EO information services
ther strengthen international leadership of the European
that are later exploited by
EO research community by enabling them to extensively
non-EO businesses and organizations in their operaexploit observations from future European operational EO
tions. This Element is ESA's link between the small and
missions.
As preparation for the SEOM element, a series of international science
user consultations have been organized
8
in 2012/2013. Under SEOM, the toolSlope = 3.04 mm/yr
Multi-Mission MSL
boxes for the scientific exploitation of
7
Topex/Poseidon
Sentinel-1/2/3 and 5P missions are being
6
Jason-1
developed in open source regime and
5
Jason-2
will be available to the science commu4
nity in September 2014. In addition, the
Envisat
first R&D studies on Sentinel-1 interfer3
ERS2
ometry have been kicked off to study
GFO
2
advanced INSAR algorithm for the Senti1
nel-1 new TOPS (Terrain Observation by
0
Progressive Scans) mode [10] and Fig. 8.
As part of SEOM, advanced training
-1
for next generation scientists are being
-2
organized in Land Remote Sensing, Atmo1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014
sphere Remote Sensing, Earth system
Modeling and Radar Polarimetry. A total Figure 10. Changes in mean sea level (in cm) as observed by six altimetry satellites
of 250 PhD level scientists will be trained over the period 1993-2013. The global trend indicates a rise in mean sea level of about
to exploit EO missions data in 2014 (Fig. 9). 3 mm/year (CNES/ESA/ LEGOS/CLS).
june 2014

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine - June 2014