Specific Challenge:

Both GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) and its key European contributor, Copernicus, offer a tremendous innovation opportunity for the EU in the domain of Earth Observation (EO) as these initiatives enable long term access to a broad range of EO datasets, opening new avenues for the delivery of innovative environmental products and services. These data sources provide new opportunities for business sectors in Europe to deliver information and products that are vital inputs to help decision makers, industry and citizens adapt to changes occurring at different paces and affecting the Earth systems. The challenge faced today is to move from stand-alone observation data supply activities to more downstream integrated information services addressing citizens' needs directly within the context of their day-to-day lives.

However, those opportunities for the development of a new market of EO services and products cannot be fully exploited without a stronger involvement of commercial sector actors in both the GEO and Copernicus initiatives.

Scope:

 Designing Earth observation services and products of the future, building on GEOSS and Copernicus assets (Innovation Action): Actions should deliver solutions addressing citizens' needs and contributing to the development of new markets of products and services through integrating Earth observation (EO) data and information, e.g. from GEOSS and Copernicus, with other data sources. These products and services should incorporate assimilation techniques and interoperability best practices, automation, systemization and integrated web-based services, and be brought – at least – into pre-operational service provision, going beyond the demonstration phase. Activities are expected to focus on Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 5 to 7.

Expected Impact:

The project results are expected to contribute to:

• effective engagement of the European commercial sector within GEOSS;
• new commercial products and services using GEOSS and Copernicus data and services;
• capacity building among current and potential developers of commercial products;
• demonstrated capability and reliability of novel EO products and services through the whole value chain;
• mobilising the most dynamic actors of the European commercial sector, developing new EO-derived mass markets and increasing cross-domain exploitation of EO data.