Gaps Analysis and Requirements Specification for the Evolution of Copernicus System for Polar Regions Monitoring: Addressing the Challenges in the Horizon 2020–2030

Abstract

This work was developed as part of the European H2020 ONION (Operational Network of Individual Observation Nodes) project, aiming at identifying the technological opportunity areas to complement the Copernicus space infrastructure in the horizon 2020-2030 for polar region monitoring. The European Earth Observation (EO) infrastructure is assessed through of comprehensive end-user need and data gap analysis. This review was based on the top 10 use cases, identifying 20 measurements with gaps and 13 potential EO technologies to cover the identified gaps. It was found that the top priority is the observation of polar regions to support sustainable and safe commercial activities and the preservation of the environment. Additionally, an analysis of the technological limitations based on measurement requirements was performed. Finally, this analysis was used for the basis of the architecture design of a potential polar mission.

Selection of the Key Earth Observation Sensors and Platforms Focusing on Applications for Polar Regions in the Scope of Copernicus System 2020–2030

“…In this regard, the SGR-ReSI [57] payload onboard TDS-1 is selected as a possible candidate to cover the measurements with gaps such as wind speed over the sea surface (horizontal), sea ice cover, sea ice thickness, and soil moisture [6].…”

“…The measurements are the geophysical products derived from satellite observations. In addition, the measurement gaps and user requirements were identified and defined by the ONION project (Table 1) [5,6], taking into account if, in the coming decade, the Copernicus and contributing missions satisfy the user requirements. This work focuses on the identification of the potential sensor technologies and platforms to meet those needs detected.…”

“…The capability of the different technologies is evaluated according to current trends in the design of small satellites. These technologies are presented in view of the novel developments in spacecraft and sensor miniaturization, reduced power consumption, measurement requirements, and data quality, in order to cover the user requirements [6], so as to obtain competitive and cost-effectiveness services.…”

“…The 20 measurements with gaps detected [6] in the top ten use cases are: (1) Ocean surface currents, (2) dominant wave direction, (3) significant wave height, (4) horizontal wind speed over the sea surface, (5) sea ice type, (6) iceberg tracking, (7) sea ice cover, (8) sea ice extent, (9) sea ice drift, (10) sea ice thickness, (11) atmospheric pressure over the sea surface, (12) sea surface temperature, (13) ocean chlorophyll concentration, (14) ocean imagery and water leaving radiance, (15) color dissolved organic matter, (16) detection of water stress in crops, (17) estimation of crop evapotranspiration, (18) surface soil moisture, (19) crop growth and condition, and (20) monitoring system vessels. Marine for Weather Forecast, Sea Ice Monitoring, Fishing Pressure, and Agriculture and Forestry: Hydric Stress use cases involved all the measurements with observations gaps detected over Copernicus space infrastructure in the period 2020-2030.…”

Preface: Earth Observations for Addressing Global Challenges

“…There are two review papers in this monograph; both are related to the European H2020 Operational Network of Individual Observation Nodes (ONION) project. The aim of the paper by Lancheros et al [1] is to identify the technological opportunity areas to complement the Copernicus space infrastructure in the horizon 2020-2030 for polar region monitoring, which is assessed through of comprehensive end-user need and data gap analysis. They reviewed the top ten use cases, identifying 20 measurements with gaps and 13 potential EO technologies to cover the gaps identified, and found that the top priority is the observation of polar region to support sustainable and safe commercial activities and the preservation of the environment.…”