GNSS for Global Environmental
Earth Observation and GEOSS
Gfg2
Rob H.G. Jongman
Wageningen UR
STARLAB
UNOTT
GFZ
CHALMERS
ULEIC
MET.NO
ALTERRA
©photos: esa
What is Gfg2?
• The EU acknowledged the need to better assess the
scientific value of GNSS beyond their classical
positioning services
• Gfg2 - GNSS for Global Environmental Earth
Observation (GEEO) and GEOSS
• Gfg2 is a three year coordination action funded by the
7th Framework Program of the European
Commission under the Environment theme (2010)
• Mission: to better asses the value of GNSS for
Global Environmental Earth Observation (GEEO) and
GEOSS
The team
coordinator
UNOTT GRACE
(UK)
GFZ
(DE)
CHALMERS
(SE)
ULEIC
(UK)
MET.NO
(NO)
ALTERRA
(NL)
STARLAB
(ES)
GNSS
Research
and
Application
s Centre of
Excellence
German
Researc
h Centre
for
Geoscie
nce
Space
Geodesy and
Geodynamics
Research
Group
The
GSTEP
group
Norway
Meteorolog
ical
Institute
Wageningen
University
and Research
Centre
Consulting
Division –
Space
Engineering
Experts Board
• Carmen Aguilera, European GNSS Supervisory Authority
(GSA)
• Christopher Buck, European Space Agency (ESA)
• Jacob Christensen, RUAG Space AB
• James Garrison, Purdue University USA
• Manuel Hernandez, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya
(UPC), Spain
• Norbert Jakowski, German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Germany
• Frank Kelly, King’s College London, UK
• Paul Poli, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather
Forecast (ECMWF)
• Chuang Shi, Wuhan University, China
Gfg2 Goals
To consolidate
a community of
experts
interested in the
scientific
exploitation of
GNSS for GEEO
and GEOSS
To explore
novel
applications
derived from
GNSS for GEEO
and GEOSS
while enhancing
researchindustry
collaboration to
implement these
applications
To identify the
research and
technological
challenges and
define the
strategic vision,
roadmap and
policy for GNSS
for GEEO and
GEOSS
available or
under
development
To assess the
value of a
European
GNSS
independent
constellation
(EGNOSGALILEO) in the
support to GEEO
and GEOSS
To promote the
public
understanding
of GNSS for
GEEO and
GEOSS
research and
use within the
GEO
Use of GNSS signals
• Most current applications receive and process
GNSS (GPS) signals directly
– timing and position
• GNSS – Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO), based on
delays of the signals when traveling through the
atmosphere
– e.g. temperature, humidity
• GNSS – Reflectometry (GNSS-R), based on the
reflection of the signals from different surfaces
– e.g. soil moisture, surface roughness, …
GNSS use in positioning
• Use in field tools for bird/mammal counting
and tracking (GPS)
• Digital elevation modelling (wetlands)
• Designing and coordinating European
biodiversity field monitoring
GNSS Radio Occultation
(GNSS-RO)
 measurements of phase path delay
 key atmospheric/climate parameters
 e.g., refractivity N,
 geopotential height Z,
 temperature T, humidity q
Radio Signals (  20 cm)
Transmitter
GPS
GALILEO
Receiver
Satellites in LEO:
eg. GPS/MET, CHAMP, GRACE, MetOp, Oceansat-2
adapted from Andrea Steiner, 13 Oct 2011
Ongoing Activities
• Determining existing and future GNSS-GEEO activities
and needs on positioning, for mass-market or scientific
work;
• Explore novel applications of GNSS for GEEO and
GEOSS with specific attention to the needs of Earth
and Ocean observation systems;
• Consolidate a GNSS community of experts for GEEO;
• Organisation of Summer schools, worshops and
industry events (TEDx Barcelona 2013);
• Develop a road map for further R&D.
• Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
– What can be measured using GNSS?
Needs inventory by E-track
(http://project-e-track.eu)
Become a Community
Member!
GNSS for Global Environmental Earth Observation
(GEEO) and GEOSS
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/GNSS-Global-Environmental-Earth-Observation-3787047
www.gfg2.eu
gfg2Project
2013 Events
• Roadmap second workshop (Leicester, UK),
10-13 April
• Second Summer school, Potsdam, July 1-4
• TEDx Barcelona, October (exact date to be
determined)
• Those interested in this initiative please
contact: gfg2@starlab.es
© Gfg2 / February 2011
www.Gfg2.eu
For further questions:
Anna Puig
Gfg2 project coordinator
Gfg2@starlab.es
©photos: esa