Measurement Timelines
For each measurement category listed in this
section, a brief discussion is given below
of the significance of that measurement
(including its relation to the recognised
Essential Climate Variables), together with
an indication of the present and future
measurement capabilities of satellite
observations. In each case, specific actions
identified by CEOS to better meet the needs
of GCOS for the Essential Climate Variables
are described. This description is supported
by two timeline diagrams spanning the period
2012–2030, indicating the instruments
contributing to that measurement and the
missions on which they are expected to
fly.
The first timeline shows missions that are
either:
— Current, where the prototype has been
launched and financing is approved for the
whole series; or
— Approved, where financing is available for
the whole series, the prototype is fully
defined and development is ongoing.
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The second timeline shows missions which are
not yet approved. They are divided into two
categories:
— Planned, where financing of the full series
is being considered or is available up to the
end of detailed definition phase; or
— Considered, where conceptual studies and
feasibility studies have been completed, and
definition of financing is in preparation.
Of course, all missions have a degree of
uncertainty. This description of mission
status reflects information available from the
relevant agencies at the time of compilation.
If the launch month of a planned mission has
not been specified, the timeline is shown to
begin at the beginning of the planned year of
launch. Note also that missions currently
operating beyond their planned lifetime are
shown as operational until the end of 2012
unless an alternative date has been proposed.
The timelines in this section represent a
qualitative analysis of the provision of data
from Earth observation satellites in terms of
a number of key geophysical measurements and
the requirement for those measurements in
different disciplines.
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