CLIMATE AND EARTH OBSERVATION – CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES OF SATELLITE MISSIONS

The World Climate Research Programme focuses on the following grand challenges:

• Regional Sea-level Change & Coastal Impacts
• Melting Ice & Global Consequences
• Changes in Water Availability
• Clouds, Circulation and Climate Sensitivity
• Understanding and Predicting Weather and Climate Extremes

Following the Global Climate Observing System initiative 50 essential climate variables have been identified which are technically and economically feasible for systematic observation. Earth observation by satellite borne remote sensing instruments represents the most important source of data and a variety of climate missions are worldwide serving this goal already. However, making maximum use of all these systems for climate research still results in further challenges: validation is one key requirement, optimized sampling in space and time another one. The IAC-panel will focus on corresponding questions: What are the still existing major deficiencies and what are present plans for future climate relevant missions. Keynote presentations by worldwide acknowledged experts will path the way into a panel discussion on this challenging topic.

Organized by:

Chair

Hans-Joerg DITTUS

Member of the Executive Board, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)

Germany

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Participants

Piers J. SELLERS

Deputy Director Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

United States

Chu ISHIDA

Senior Chief Officer for Satellite Applications, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Japan

Hartmut GRASSL

Former Director, Max Planck Institute for Meteorology

Germany

Volker LIEBIG

Director Earth Observation, European Space Agency (ESA)

Alberto MOREIRA

Director Microwaves and Radar Institute, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)

Italy