International conference on exploitation of next generation satellite sensor data
The University of Southampton is hosting the first UK national earth observation conference to discuss the opportunities and challenges provided by the Sentinel series of satellites launched by the European Space Agency to support the European Commission’s Copernicus programme.
The event, organised jointly by the Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society (RSPSoc), NERC National Centre for Earth observation (NCEO) and the Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation and Space Technology (CEOI-ST) is taking place between the 8 and 11 September 2015 – bringing together over 270 world-leading scientists and engineers.
The Sentinel satellites provide measurements over land, ocean and atmosphere through a range of sensors with many of them being the first of their kind. With two satellites already in orbit and the third one planned for launch later this year, challenges lie in developing innovative data processing methods and applications that can provide a range of operational services using these datasets. These are exciting developments in a year which marks the 50th Anniversary of NERC, and where the increasing role of earth observation within environmental science is to be celebrated.
Professor Peter Atkinson, former Professor in Geography and Environment at the University of Southampton and new Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Lancaster University, comments: “We are delighted that this year, for the first time, we have been able to bring together the whole UK remote sensing community within one conference. This has resulted in one of the best programmes that we have seen in many years and promises to be an exciting event that engages attendees from all over the world."
Dr Jadu Dash, Associate Professor in Geography and Environment, University of Southampton and one of the convenors says: “We are privileged to host a conference that is particularly timely, given the imminent launch of Sentinel 3 and the data we are receiving from those Sentinel satellites already in orbit that provides new examples of operational applications of these datasets. Datasets from the Sentinel series of satellites will drive earth observation research and applications probably for the next decade and beyond.”
Professor John Remedios, Professor of Earth Observation Science, University of Leicester and Director of NCEO says: “The Sentinel series of satellites marks a step-change in the provision of operational earth observation data, benefitting public organisations, business and science. The long-term nature of the satellites offers a significant capability to detect environmental change. This gathering of UK expert scientists this week is particularly timely and important to capitalise on the data.”
Mick Johnson, Director of CEOI-ST says: “This is the first time we have brought together the whole community of earth observation scientists and satellite instrumentation engineers. It will be a fantastic opportunity to improve understanding of the future needs and opportunities offered by earth observation in general and the Sentinel satellites in particular. Data from these satellites is already proving to be of very high quality and will greatly help our understanding of the Earth’s environment and climate.
“UK scientists and engineers have made important contributions to their development. This will be an important conference to highlight these achievements and to identify how the information from these satellites can help monitor the environment, provide societal benefits and improve our economy.”