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Liam Gumley from SSEC University of Wisconsin, USA spoke about  the applications of real-time data from the Suomi NPP satellite – the first spacecraft of the new generation of U.S. polar orbiting meteorological satellites.

Observation data at hydro-meteorological stations, images from space at low and middle resolution, materials of aerial ice surveys collected over a long period in the State Hydrological Institute enabled to work out  the ice situation dynamics model on the Lake Ladoga in spring period. The results of the study were presented by Natalia Burda, a researcher of “Ecoproject” company (Russia).

Russia meanwhile realized the possibility of monitoring and forecasting severe weather events through the joint GIS meteo technology and ScanEx RDC. This was reported by Yuri Yusupov, Scientific Director of the R&D Center “Map Maker”, Russia.

– Introduction of high resolution base map, including ERS images of 50 cm resolution per pixel, into technology allow application of GIS Meteo, for example, for the analysis of flood events at the workstation of a hydrologist-forecaster, – said Yuri Yusupov.

In its turn the application of meso-scale models (COSMO, WRF-NMM, WRF-ARW) at Agro meteorologist’s workstation during monitoring and forecast of frosts in the beginning of vegetation period allows reception of forecast by separate agricultural lots and fields. That said, land plots in the vicinity of the isotherm critical for this particular crop are visible on the map.  

Joint GIS Meteo+ScanEx allowed usage of raster images from orbital satellites in GIS Meteo, which was not possible for a long time because of complications in referencing these images.

– Currently GIS Meteo users got a possibility to use at their workstations up-to-date images along with meteorological information without having own satellite reception station, – emphasized Yusupov.

Participants of the section “Operational satellite-based monitoring за emergencies” on October 3 discussed the Russian and global experience of working with space information for monitoring, control of and response to emergency situations. Russia has accumulated broad experience of operational use of satellite data during an emergency. Real-time satellite imagery arrangements in emergency monitoring involve the following subsystems:

–   Hardware support (network of stations, satellites, infrastructure, software);

–   Administrative support (interaction between customer and contractor: orders-quotations-planning-processing-results delivery);

–   Scientific support and guiding (for finding solutions at scientific level: algorithms, techniques, recommendations).

– Application of satellite information allows receiving information within 24 hours concerning natural and man-induced emergencies across the entire territory of the Russian Federation, – told the specialist of the Operational Monitoring Department of ScanEx RDC Alena Cheremisova.

Monitoring of inland human-induced emergencies employs high resolution data, which enables detailed assessment in emergency region. Use of radar data from the state-of-the-art RADARSAT-2 satellite provides opportunity to carry out imagery regardless of weather conditions and area illumination, and makes it possible to order imagery not later than 4 hours prior to the image acquisition. Archived data are often used during the analysis of satellite images.

– Operational imagery results and related information are displayed in the departmental “Kosmoplan” information system and used in operations of the National Center for Crisis Management shift personnel, – noted Alexander Yephikin, Head of the Space Monitoring Department of the Russian EMERCOM’s National Center for Crisis Management.

The section “Remote Sensing Legislation” has opened today with the presentation of the book “Earth from Space: legislation, regulation and judicial practice”. The book is written by a team of the “Legal Business Solution” law firm and reflects the realities of law enforcement in the sector of Earth observation from space. Conference participants were able to get a copy of the book for free.

All speakers at the section agreed that the existing legislation in the field of Earth remote sensing data application is imperfect and need adoption of a new federal law. Valery Gerasimov, the executive director of the “Earth from Space” association presented the presentation “Bureaucratic games on playground of Earth remote sensing”, in which he emphasized that “The basics of the government’s policy on the use of the space activities results for the modernization of the Russian economy and the development of its regions up to year 2030” are not sufficiently detailed and legal significance of remote sensing data in the project is not defined.
 
Ivan Moiseev, Director of the Institute of Space Policy highlighted in his presentation “Urgent issues of Russian legislation in the field of remote sensing ” objectives for the new federal law:
• Respect of rights and assistance to the activities of organizations working in the field of space activities and the use of its results;
• Expanding and improving efficiency in the use of space activities;
• Support internal and external investments in space science and industry;
• Improving the quality of state administration of space industry.
 
An open meeting of the “Earth from Space” Association also took place on October 3. As a follow-up program, the meeting decided to reduce the number of members of the Association and to intensify their work; to consider entering into the association of representatives of public authorities (Federal Space Agency, Ministry of Economic Development, etc.). Executive Director Valery Gerasimov, said that five new companies have expressed their desire to join the association: LLC “CenterProgramSystem” (Belgorod), “New Integration Technology” (Dolgoprudny), “Zapadinformresurs” (Kaliningrad), JSC “Orlov Region Center of Space Services” and “Cadastre  Bureau of Taganrog”.