The user requirements process undertaken by the Commission and the Space Strategy for Europe has identified possible evolutions of the space observations capabilities in the context of Copernicus. These are described below, and specific guidance documents explaining the ongoing process to gather new user requirements will be provided.
The following three priorities have been identified for potential evolution of Copernicus in the future:
The development, the implementation and eventually the operation of an enhanced European capacity will need the involvement of various players, such as National Space Agencies, European and Member States Institutions, International Organisations, the private sector, operators of in-situ measurement stations, and of leading scientific experts in the identified fields such as data assimilation and modelling for the Arctic, agriculture monitoring and forest monitoring. In particular, it will need to build on past activities of the European Space Agency (ESA) and will need to be coordinated with the ESA's on-going and future programmes.
Initiating and consolidating the establishment of the community and thus reaching the critical mass required for addressing such a challenging endeavour. It will also need to take into account current and planned activities led by the Copernicus Programme (space component and services, i.e. marine, climate, land/cryosphere) for future services as well as the current H2020 projects relevant for example for Arctic monitoring (i.e. INTAROS).
Scope:The scope is identified according to the possible evolution scenarios indicated above. Each proposal shall address only one of the following sub-topics.
A – Preparation of a European capacity for monitoring the Polar Regions
To advance a coordinated preparation of a mature European capacity there is a need to bring together the key European stakeholders and competent entities which are:
At the same time, there is a need for an accompanying scientific and technical support to address:
Activities shall thus encompass the coordination of ongoing efforts, include mutual identification of research and infrastructural gaps, and facilitate a cooperation of further research and development to be undertaken to reach sufficiently mature capacities for an operational integration as a subsequent step.
B – Preparation of a European capacity for improving agriculture monitoring
To advance a coordinated preparation of a mature European capacity in this agriculture monitoring field, there is a need to bring together the key European stakeholders and competent entities which are:
At the same time, there is a need for an accompanying scientific and technical support to address:
Activities shall coordinate ongoing efforts, include mutual identification of research and infrastructural gaps, identify a clear delineation between a core service and a downstream application and facilitate a cooperation of further research and development to be undertaken to reach sufficiently mature capacities for an operational integration as a subsequent step.
C – Preparation of a European capacity for improving forest monitoring
To advance in a coordinated preparation of a mature European capacity in this forest monitoring field, there is need to bring together the key European stakeholders and competent entities which are:
At the same time, there is a need for an accompanying scientific and technical support to address:
Activities shall coordinate ongoing efforts, include mutual identification of research and infrastructural gaps, identify a clear delineation between a core service and a downstream application and facilitate a cooperation of further research and development to be undertaken to reach sufficiently mature capacities for an operational integration as a subsequent step.
Both Copernicus Services Evolution and Copernicus Space Component Evolution should be taken into account and aligned optimally. While focusing primarily on the Services Evolution, the coherence between the space component and the service related requirements should also be ensured.
The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 2 and 3 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.
This topic contributes to the Horizon 2020 focus area "Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future"
Expected Impact:Laying the foundation for complementing the existing Copernicus services and the current Copernicus observation capabilities for operational capacities for:
Improved the interaction in the context of the evolution of Copernicus with:
Lay the foundation for the operational integration of all relevant European capacities as a subsequent step.
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/space/research/horizon-2020
Please Log In to See This Section