New Observation satellite studying global warming

Scientists supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) are at the forefront of new Earth Observation satellite projects which should improve our understanding of the effects of global warming and the prediction of weather patterns.

The Earth Explorer 'opportunity' satellite missions are part of the European Space Agency's (ESA) £400 million Living Planet programme, which will be officially launched in London today, Monday 7 June 1999. ESA has selected the first 'opportunity' mission, CRYOSAT, from 27 proposals covering all aspects of Earth science, the Earth's atmosphere, the land surface, the oceans and the polar ice caps. The lead investigator for CRYOSAT is Professor Duncan Wingham of University College, London. Data from CRYOSAT, which is due for launch in 2002, will be used to map and monitor the polar ice coverage of the Earth. The project is aimed at improving our understanding of the effects of global warming on sea ice and on the contribution of polar ice sheets to changes in global sea levels.

NERC scientists at the Southampton Oceanography Centre and the Institute of Hydrology are part of a European team which is a leading candidate for a second 'opportunity' mission - the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity experiment (SMOS). This project aims to measure soil moisture and sea surface salinity to improve weather forecasting, climate change monitoring and prediction of severe weather events.

Earth Observation plays a critical role in environmental science, by providing global measurements of key processes across the range of environmental disciplines. NERC has recognised the importance of Earth Observation by sponsoring an ongoing programme to support research in this area. NERC has developed a new Earth Observation strategy which takes maximum advantage of the Living Planet and other ESA-led, national and international programmes.

A key aspect of the NERC strategy lies in the close working relationship with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and ESA. DTI has UK responsibility for development of scientific space hardware through ESA, whilst NERC concentrates on the exploitation and understanding of Earth Observation data. This relationship has also enabled NERC to influence the scientific direction of the Living Planet and other ESA Earth Observation programmes. The main features of the NERC Earth Observation strategy include:
The creation of 'centres of excellence' to focus the development of science community expertise in the use of Earth Observation data.
Determining the requirements for future observations and developing novel measurement systems, which will give NERC scientists a sound basis in proposing future 'opportunity missions'.
Provision of funding for short courses in Earth Observation, along with fellowships and special awards for building the science community outside the centres of excellence.

Many other new NERC science programmes are also expected to include opportunities for the funding of research in the exploitation of Earth Observation data.