APPLICATIONS FOR EARTH OBSERVATION ADVISORY GROUPS

As part of ESA’s FutureEO Programme, Earth Explorer (EE) missions and Missions of Opportunity (MoO) are Earth observation research missions that are designed to address key scientific challenges. EE missions originate from ideas proposed by the science community while MoO are cooperative research missions developed through collaboration with Space Agencies outside ESA Member States, or its Associated and Cooperating States. These missions may also demonstrate breakthrough technology or innovative new observing techniques. In general, the role of the Mission Advisory Group is to provide advice during preparation, development and implementation on the detailed scientific objectives of a mission, data product definitions, instrument design and calibration, data validation and data exploitation. As the research mission progresses through each phase of implementation, the emphasis of the role of the Advisory Group, and its membership terms, are adjusted accordingly.

As part of ESA’s Earth Watch Programme, Earth Watch (EW) missions are proposed, developed and operated in partnership with other Member State organisations. The overall objective of the Earth Watch missions is to secure for Europe an independent sustainable capability in operational Earth Observation. This capability must satisfy operational user needs and address objectives of broad strategic interest, by delivering Earth Observation data for use in EO-based operational services in Europe. The role of the Mission Advisory Group is to provide scientific and technical advice and guidance throughout the design consolidation and development, and on study activities that support increasing the maturity and Science Readiness Level (SRL) of the mission. The membership needs of the group is expected to evolve together with the lifecycle of the mission. Membership applications are open to all, though emphasis will be given to applications from experts from institutions in contributing states.

As part of Europe’s Copernicus environmental monitoring Programme, ESA is responsible for coordinating the space component and for the development of specific space infrastructure to meet user needs, according to the terms of the EU-ESA Copernicus Agreement. In general, the role of the Mission Advisory Group is to provide expert scientific and technical advice solicited by the implementing teams throughout design and development of the mission, such that the mission meets the mission requirements and delivers products that fulfil the user needs. In this capacity, members are requested to advise on: compatibility between detailed objectives of a mission defined by European Commission User Needs and the system specifications, priorities amongst observational requirements, retrieval algorithms and retrieval performance, product specifications, calibration and validation, and operational requirements. As the Copernicus mission progresses through each phase of implementation, the emphasis of the role of the Advisory Group, and its membership terms, are adjusted accordingly.

As part of the FutureEO and Copernicus environmental monitoring Programmes, ESA may, in cooperation with other Space Agency partners or the EU, host Inter-Agency calls for Advisory Group, Task Force or Working Group membership. Please note that the link to Inter-Agency Membership calls will only be activated during these calls.