A step forward towards the operational implementation of GMES
On 28 October 2009 the European Commission issued a communication entitled “Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES): Challenges and Next Steps for the Space Component”. The communication presents the achievements and the next steps that are necessary for GMES to become fully operational in the most cost efficient way. Only the space component is covered by the communication due to the fact that it defines largely the scope of the programme as well as of the in situ infrastructure and the overall financial costs.
Regarding the financing of GMES, the communication underlines that in addition to the significant resources that have been already allocated by ESA and the EU, further funding decisions have to be made by the both contributors in order to ensure the start of the GMES operational phase in 2011. Moreover, the Commission stresses that according to the ESA Long-term Scenario analysis and based on all investments already made, some € 4 billion would be needed for operating GMES during the period of 2014-2020. This foreseen investment includes estimated annual costs of € 430 million for the operational activities and €170 million for R&D. Nevertheless, any upgrade beyond 2020 would imply additional costs, notably if GMES would be given a strong security dimension.
Other actions proposed by the communication for the further development of GMES include:
- To support the implementation of a free licensing and open access data policy for the Sentinels;
- To ensure a continuous data flow towards the users;
- To continue international cooperation;
- To reflect about the future ownership of the Sentinel infrastructure.
As a conclusion, the Commission points out that it will be the programme manager of GMES and as far as the Space Component is concerned it will seek to:
- Finalise the development phase of the current constellation of six Sentinel series and operate the infrastructure to ensure timely and seamless flow of data to the users;
- Prepare the recurrent units and future technological upgrades of the space infrastructure, based on an established user requirement consolidation process.
Commission’s communication of 28 October 2009:
http://ec.europa.eu/gmes/pdf/communication_589_en.pdf
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