Technical programme

B1.1. International Cooperation and Business Ventures in Earth Observations

Focus is on the planning, governance, business models, management and how to achieve successful program outcomes of space-based Earth Observations missions (including single and constellation missions, one time and sustained observations, programs, and projects), systems (including instruments, spacecraft, communications, processing, archive, distribution, and calibration / validation systems), and applications (user driven value-added products and services for societal and business benefit, and science and technology advancement). Presentations are encouraged which provide plans, status, and experience in developing, implementing, and operating Earth Observations international ventures to better meet societal needs including addressing climate change mitigation, earth system health, underdeveloped and emerging space nations capacity building, entrepreneurial and commercial development, governmental policy, regulation and planning, disaster mitigation and response, news and media, and security. In addition to cooperations, collaborations and partnerships also are of interest.

B1.2. Earth Observation Systems

Emphasis is on functional and technical description of envisioned, planned recently launched, and ongoing systems, missions, constellations, and programs for experimental and operational Earth observation. Descriptions of present systems as well as new concepts and innovative Earth Observation systems are encouraged. This session includes governmental / agency programs, public-private partnerships, commercial programs, and academic / non-governmental / non-commercial programs.

B1.3. Earth Observation Sensors and Technology

Focus is on Earth Observation sensors and instruments including future concepts being proposed, developed, tested, or calibrated, and those in operations for all aspects of Earth observation. Driven by user and scientific requirements, particular emphasis is on systems and technologies that make innovative measurements and deliver improved performance for science, operational or commercial applications.

B1.4. Earth Observation Data Systems and Technology

The focus is on the development and operations of Earth Observation-related data processing systems. The emphasis of the session is on the challenges of emerging information and web-based technology (e.g. Big Data, Cloud-based operations, internet of things, crowd sourcing) for acquisition, communication, processing, dissemination and archiving of data. The session also covers innovative methods for making data analysis ready, the extraction of information from these resulting large data sets (e.g. machine learning and artificial intelligence) and methods for making the information available timely to decision makers. This session also includes the evolving data processing infrastructure like federated Cloud systems and digital twin.

B1.5. Earth Observation Societal and Economic Applications, Challenges and Benefits

The focus of the session is on using Earth Observation data to generate information and deliver applications and services for meeting sustainable development challenges, addressing socio-economic benefits, and delivering commercial applications from the data. Presentation of analyses, methods, algorithms, processing, case studies and results from developing and operating applications and services including consideration of investment cost, economic return, and societal benefits, especially leveraging innovative approaches, are encouraged. Optimized application satellite constellations, which do not focus on individual techniques or single satellites and describe the socio-economic aspects of these collective systems, are also encouraged.

B1.6. Assessing and Mitigating the Global Freshwater Crisis

Water is life and with Earth’s changing climate, water availability, quality and security are under stress creating a global societal crisis. Despite its importance, the challenges of assessing and monitoring fresh water are poorly understood as is the ability to generate products to inform decision makers. The vantage point of space affords a unique opportunity to make the critical measurements related with fresh water. This session will focus on the past, present and future space flight missions devoted to making freshwater measurements. It will also include modelling systems for predicting availability and address products generated for societal benefits.

B1.7. Earth Observations to address Earth’s Environment and Climate Challenges

The IPCC reports on climate change articulate the major global environmental challenges that require vast and sustained measurement and information systems to monitor key climate parameters and inform decision makers and enable potential mitigations. Global governmental agencies, commercial and public/private partnerships are investing in creating systems and applications for environmental monitoring and prediction, and climate monitoring and change mitigation. This session focuses on the latest major findings in climate research and the systems being used to address the climate challenges, Earth Observations science, weather, oceanography, and land monitoring. Presentation of algorithms, processing chains and services especially leveraging innovative approaches, are encouraged. Optimized application satellite constellations, which do not focus on individual techniques or single satellites and describe the environmental / climate aspects of these collective systems, are also encouraged.

B1.8. IAF EARTH OBSERVATION SYMPOSIUM - Extra Session

B1.IP. Interactive Presentations - IAF EARTH OBSERVATION SYMPOSIUM

This session offers a unique opportunity to deliver your key messages in an interactive presentation on any of the subjects of Earth Observation addressed in the classic Sessions. The presentation will be displayed on a digital screen in a dedicated location and available for view by all Congress attendees for the entire Congress week. In addition, one afternoon is dedicated exclusively for the attendees to view the Interactive Presentations, and the author will be assigned a specific ten-minute slot to personally present the topic and interact with the attendees present. The Interactive Presentation may take advantage of all electronic display capabilities, such as: PowerPoint charts, embedded hot links, pictures, audio and video clips etc. An award will also be presented to the author of the best Interactive Presentation in the B Category at a special ceremony. An Abstract that follows the standard format must be submitted by the deadline for standard IAC abstracts.

B1.IPB. Interactive Presentations - IAF EARTH OBSERVATION SYMPOSIUM

B1.LBA. Late Breaking abstracts (LBA)