Workshop Objectives

• What should our European Earth Observation Ecosystem look like in 2040+?
• Which future operational or scientific users’ needs will drive the definition of future system-of-systems?
• How do commercial Earth Observation data providers fit into the overall picture?
• How do we verify the performance of the system? 

The European Earth Observation Ecosystem 2040+ is a proposed cross-cutting vision for the future of Space Earth Observation in Europe. The ecosystem is considered from a holistic system-of-systems perspective leveraging cross system/mission synergies instead of individual EO missions.

With this in mind, ESA is inviting you to actively participate in this workshop to establish a “European Blueprint for Earth Observation” that can guide future preparation for Europe in Space. The Blueprint is designed to identify and group activities within all EO programmes (science, commercial and operational nature), to identify gaps in the system against the future needs for scientific research and development, innovative new EO mission ideas and technologies, and mission data exploitation with applications that address new Earth system science and deliver societal benefits. 

The workshop is an important milestone to discuss different scenarios and consolidate the European Blueprint for Earth Observation. Its objective is to identify and prioritise actions to implement in order to sustain, operate, and evolve the performance and capacity of Earth Observation in Europe as the most advanced living systems-of-systems in the world in support of European citizens and policies. 

Building on the key characteristics described in the first version of the European Earth Observation Blueprint, the workshop will consider: 

• the users’ needs: from a scientific and operational perspective
• the role of commercial data providers
• flexibility: customization and adaptation to emerging challenges and opportunities
• long-term data preservation: EO data as cultural heritage
• complementarity: an open framework
• interconnected: leveraging synergies
• standards: common standards, protocols, and interfaces
• verification and performance: certification of origin and traceable performance standards
• modularity and scalability: to facilitate flexibility, adaptability, and growth
• reusability: reuse of components, modules, etc. 
• best practices and continuous improvement through evolution

Key challenges / questions for discussion (in plenary and splinter sessions)

• The European EO Ecosystem in 2040+ - System-of-Systems view 
• User expectations and requirements for synergies within the European EO ecosystem 
• The role of FRM and reference measurements for performance certification and monitoring within the European EO Ecosystem 
• The role of a constellation within the European EO ecosystem