Space Systems Dedicated to Protecting Our Planet and Its Inhabitants

Paper number

IAC-05-P.E.4.01

Author

Mr. Gerard Brachet, Sic Itur, France

Year

2005

Abstract

The catastrophic events of December 26, 2004 in South Asia remind us that we are all inhabitants of a living planet, with sometimes sudden natural disasters and a fragile environment which we must be able to preserve for future generations. From an astronautical perspective, we are indeed 6.5 billion �geonauts�, i.e. astronauts aboard this very unique and fragile �space station Earth�, traveling through the universe, and we want our sons and daughters, and their sons and daughters, to find that we have transmitted to them a viable vessel to live on. 

Space systems devoted to understanding and monitoring man�s environment on planet Earth have already contributed significantly to our understanding of the mechanisms affecting the atmosphere, the oceans and the biosphere, even Earth interior via magnetic field and gravity anomalies measurements. Daily, weather observations satellite systems play a large role, together with Earth-bound measuring networks, in monitoring and forecasting the behavior of the atmosphere over short periods.

In 2003, a summit of Ministers took place in Washington DC to initiate a new approach to global, space based Earth observation, called the GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) initiative. Its purpose was to encourage a better integration and international coordination of space based observation strategies and systems. This summit was followed by another Minister level meeting in Tokyo in 2004 and was concluded by the final summit in Brussels on February 16, 2005, where a ten-year implementation plan was adopted. 

This plenary event � organized together with the International Academy of Astronautics � will consider recent developments in the establishment of a Global Earth Observations System of Systems as well as the prospect of using such capabilities for the prevention and mitigation of natural disasters such as the 26 December 2005 tsunami in South Asia.  

Abstract document

IAC-05-P.E.4.01.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-P.E.4.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.