WMO Space Programme

Coordinating the activities of Members related to the space-based observing system component of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System to ensure sustained and interoperable satellite observations and to promote their applications. 

Scope 

The WMO Space Programme plays a crucial role in coordinating and promoting the utilization of satellites data and products to achieve maximum benefits from the Earth observation satellites for all WMO application areas in weather, water, climate and environmental services, especially in support of WMO Members that have limited resources. This is achieved by:  

  • the development of the integrated space-based observing system component in the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS), involving operational and research and development (R&D) environmental satellites,  

  • the coordination of the satellite data processing and dissemination activities based on common standards facilitating data sharing and access,  

  • raising awareness on satellite capabilities and promoting education with a focus on developing countries so that Members may benefit from these and other technological innovation, 

  • coordinating the establishment and further development of space weather monitoring by improving warnings and preparedness against space weather hazards, 

  • keeping under review allocations of radio-frequency bands to meteorological services for ground- and space-based observation systems, and 

  • ensuring effective cooperation with international partners in the satellite community. 

Objectives 

The overall goal of the Programme is to achieve maximum benefits from Earth observation satellites for WMO applications. Its main objectives are to: 

  1. Develop the integrated space-based observing system component of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS), involving operational and research and development (R&D) environmental satellites; 

  2. Enhance accessibility of current and next-generation satellite data and products, and respond to user needs; 

  3. Promote data exchange through common standards and the WMO Information system (WIS); 

  4. Stimulate coordinated data processing with traceable quality. 

  5. Raise awareness on satellite capabilities and promote education with a focus on developing countries so that Members may benefit from these and other technological innovation; and 

  6. Coordinate the establishment and further development of space weather monitoring by improving warnings and preparedness against space weather hazards. 

Structure 

The WMO Space Programme has five main components: 

  1. Integrated space-based observing system, 

  2. Availability and use of satellite data and products, 

  3. Awareness and Training, 

  4. Space weather coordination, and 

  5. Frequency Coordination. 

The Commission for Observation, Infrastructure and Information Systems (INFCOM) has the lead role for the WMO Space Programme, in consultation with the Commission for Weather, Climate, Water and Related Environmental Services and Applications (SERCOM) and the Research Board on Weather, Climate, Water and the Environment (Research Board). INFCOM leadership relies on WMO Member technical expertise provided primarily through the Standing Committee on Earth Observing Systems and Monitoring Networks (SC-ON) and its Expert Team on Space Systems and Utilization (ET-SSU) and Joint Expert Team on Earth Observing System Design and Evolution (JET-EOSDE). The SC-ON makes recommendations to INFCOM, which then reports to the WMO Executive Council through the report of the president of INFCOM. 

Components 

Space-based WMO Integrated Global Observing System 

The WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) provides observations of the state of the atmosphere and ocean surface for the preparation of weather analyses, forecasts, advisories and warnings, for climate monitoring and environmental activities. It is operated by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, and national or international satellite agencies. Developing the space-based part of the WIGOS is one of the main components of the WMO Space Programme. 

Through partnerships with satellite operating agencies, Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS) and the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), the Space Programme: 

  • Keeps under review space-based observing capabilities (current and planned), and analyses gaps with respect to evolving requirements;  

  • Leads the definition and updating of a baseline system; 

  • Supports global planning, optimization, and coordination; 

  • Organizes satellite inter-calibration; and 

  • Encourages transition of new technology to operations. 

Access to satellite data and products 

The Space Programme coordinates satellite data processing and dissemination activities based on common standards. While next-generation satellite systems will generate increasing amounts of advanced measurements, a major challenge is to ensure that such data are available to users in all regions.  

Awareness and training 

The Space Programme implements the 2019-2023 strategy of the WMO-CGMS Virtual Laboratory for Training (VLab) and Education in Satellite Meteorology, relying on a network of training centres of excellence sponsored by satellite operators. Close links are maintained with relevant national and international education and training initiatives. 

VLab is a global network of specialised training centres and meteorological satellite operators, working together to improve the use of data and products from meteorological and environmental satellites throughout WMO member countries. 

A key component of the Strategy for Education and Training in Satellite Meteorology as adopted by the Executive Council, is the CGMS-WMO Virtual Laboratory with the network of regional Centres of Excellence and associated Regional Focus Groups. 

The Programme provides guidance on the availability and usability of satellite data, products and services, and sponsors user conferences.   

Space Weather Coordination 

The WMO Space Programme supports international coordination of operational activities in Space Weather to improve Space Weather hazard warnings for key application sectors such as aviation, radio-communications, satellite operations, and electric power delivery. Through the Expert Team on Space Weather (ET-SWx), the WMO Space Programme: 

  • Promotes the availability, quality, and interoperability of the observations that are essential to support space weather warnings and other services, 

  • Improves the collection, exchange, and delivery of space weather data and information through open sharing, internationally agreed standards, and coordinated procedures and by taking advantage of the WMO Information System (WIS) and the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) tools; 

  • Regularly reviews the observing requirements and capabilities for the Space Weather Application Areas, and provides a gap analysis, and recommendations for future observations; harmonization of end products and services, including sensor specifications, quality assurance guidelines and emergency warning procedures; and 

  • Delivers information and training, and stimulation of the dialogue between the research- and operational Space Weather communities. 

Frequency coordination 

The availability of radio-frequency spectrum through adequate frequency allocations and protection measures is vital for the operation of global meteorological and hydrological infrastructure, which underpins the service delivery of all WMO Members. Satellites, weather radars, radiosondes, hydrological observing systems, drifting buoys and other ocean-based platforms all require radio or microwave transmissions to operate.  

In particular, microwave observations of the atmosphere from satellites, operating in all weather conditions and providing global coverage several times per day, have been integral to the improved accuracy of forecasts and the extended warning times for severe events that we have available to us today. These observations, of extremely weak signals from the earth and atmosphere, are very susceptible to interference from communication systems. Similarly, the weather radars that are so critical to warning services are vulnerable to interference from Wi-Fi and other communications technologies. 

The use of the radio-frequency spectrum for meteorological and related environmental activities allocated to earth exploration satellites, meteorological aids, meteorological satellites and radiolocation services faces severe competition with the expansion of radio-communications. 

Frequency allocations are part of the International Radio Regulations that are developed and negotiated among national telecommunications authorities and eventually agreed at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) World Radiotelecommunication Conferences (WRCs), which are held every three or four years to review, and, if necessary, revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum by various systems, including for Earth observation applications. Preparations for WRCs involve detailed studies and assessments by the various communities involved. For the meteorological community, these issues are addressed by the WMO Expert Team on Radio-Frequency Coordination (ET-RFC). Space agencies have established the Space Frequency Coordination Group (SFCG) to coordinate their activities in this respect. 

Some specific objectives of these activities are to: 

  • Prevent any artificial emission in those natural atmospheric radiation bands that are used for passive radiometry, in particular in the microwave region; 

  • Secure the allocation of frequencies needed for active measurements, in particular in the microwave spectrum; 

  • Secure the allocation of frequencies needed for safe spacecraft operations and data download, and prevent any interference among the various satellite systems comprising the space-based observing system.